Portage County Crime & Safety

Portage County, Wisconsin

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1040.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

162.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

877.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#43

of 72 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Portage County, Wisconsin

Portage County Beats National Crime Averages

Portage County achieves a strong safety score of 98.4, far exceeding national benchmarks. Its total crime rate of 1,040.1 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Beating the Wisconsin Average

Portage County's crime rate of 1,040.1 sits just below the Wisconsin average of 1,103.1. This places the county in a favorable position compared to the state's more urbanized areas.

Lower Crime Rates Than Regional Peers

Compared to Rock County's rate of 1,736.7, Portage offers a much quieter environment for its residents. It maintains a consistent safety profile typical of central Wisconsin.

Focusing on Property Crime Statistics

The data shows a violent crime rate of 162.2 and a property crime rate of 877.9 per 100,000 residents. Most recorded offenses involve property, mirroring trends seen across the state.

Proactive Steps for Portage Residents

High safety scores are a community asset that residents can help preserve. Installing a doorbell camera provides an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for Portage households.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Portage County, WI?

Portage County has a total crime rate of 1040.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (162.2 per 100K) and property crimes (877.9 per 100K).

Is Portage County, WI safe?

Portage County has a safety score of 54/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #43 out of 72 counties in Wisconsin for safety (1 = safest).

How does Portage County crime compare to the Wisconsin average?

Portage County's crime rate of 1,040.1 sits just below the Wisconsin average of 1,103.1. This places the county in a favorable position compared to the state's more urbanized areas.

What types of crime are most common in Portage County?

The data shows a violent crime rate of 162.2 and a property crime rate of 877.9 per 100,000 residents. Most recorded offenses involve property, mirroring trends seen across the state.

How is crime data measured and reported for Portage County?

Crime data for Portage County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Portage County?

Portage County has a safety score of 54/100, which is below the Wisconsin average of 56/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.