Sauk County Crime & Safety

Sauk County, Wisconsin

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1644.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

169.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1475.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

31/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#60

of 72 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Sauk County, Wisconsin

Sauk County Beats National Benchmarks

Sauk County's total crime rate of 1,644.7 per 100,000 is lower than the national figure of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 97.4, indicating a generally secure environment.

Sauk's Ranking Within Wisconsin

The county's crime rate of 1,644.7 sits above the Wisconsin state average of 1,103.1. However, its safety score of 97.4 remains close to the state's 98.3 average.

Safety Comparisons with Richland

Sauk's rate is significantly higher than nearby Richland County's 631.6. This difference often reflects Sauk's higher volume of tourism and commercial traffic compared to its neighbors.

Most Incidents are Property-Related

Property crime is the primary driver at 1,475.7 per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 169.0. Most law enforcement activity involves theft or property disputes rather than physical violence.

Securing Property in Sauk County

Protecting property is key in Sauk County, where most incidents are non-violent. Simple habits like locking vehicles and installing outdoor cameras can effectively deter potential theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Sauk County, WI?

Sauk County has a total crime rate of 1644.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (169.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1475.7 per 100K).

Is Sauk County, WI safe?

Sauk County has a safety score of 31/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #60 out of 72 counties in Wisconsin for safety (1 = safest).

How does Sauk County crime compare to the Wisconsin average?

The county's crime rate of 1,644.7 sits above the Wisconsin state average of 1,103.1. However, its safety score of 97.4 remains close to the state's 98.3 average.

What types of crime are most common in Sauk County?

Property crime is the primary driver at 1,475.7 per 100,000, while violent crime remains low at 169.0. Most law enforcement activity involves theft or property disputes rather than physical violence.

How is crime data measured and reported for Sauk County?

Crime data for Sauk 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 Sauk County?

Sauk County has a safety score of 31/100, 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.