A+
62%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
73%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
59%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWaukesha/100k peopleWisconsin/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime635n/a (estimate)8931,6822,324
Murder1n/a1.45.36.3
Rape20n/a28.138.640.0
Robbery1n/a1.439.466.1
Assault49n/a68.9213.7268.2
Violent crime71n/a (estimate)100297370
Burglary50n/a70.3153.7269.8
Theft473n/a664.8981.01,401.9
Vehicle theft41n/a57.6250.3282.7
Property crime564n/a (estimate)7931,3851,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Waukesha, WI

The Waukesha crime rates are 61.6% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 71 violent crimes in Waukesha (100 per 100,000 people), which is 73% lower than the national average and there were a total of 564 property crimes (793 per 100,000 residents) which is 59.4% lower than average.

Waukesha stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 100 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Waukesha secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Waukesha?

What do the local residents think about crime in Waukesha? Well, based on a recent survey of 28 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 75% of Waukesha residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 25% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Waukesha a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Waukesha is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Waukesha has an overall crime rate that is 62% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 1.74 daily occurrences, comprising 0.19 violent crimes and 1.55 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Waukesha as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Waukesha Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Waukesha has decreased by 9.9%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Waukesha, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 4.1%, while property crime has decreased by 10.6%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Waukesha is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Waukesha

Waukesha has a population density of 2837.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Waukesha crime rates.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Waukesha, 89.8% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Waukesha are $954, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Waukesha crime map



The Waukesha crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Waukesha as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Waukesha crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Waukesha crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
New Real Estate Listings in Waukesha Area
Search Homes for Sale in Waukesha, WI

Compare Waukesha, WI Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Waukesha crime rates are 62% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Waukesha are 73% lower than the national average
      • In Waukesha you have a 1 in 113 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Waukesha is safer than 75% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Waukesha has decreased by 8%

      Waukesha, WI Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Waukesha

        See all the best places to live around Waukesha
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Waukesha?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Waukesha?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Waukesha poll results

        Daily Crime In Waukesha (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Waukesha, Wisconsin is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Waukesha are 1.88 times less than the Wisconsin average and 2.60 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Waukesha are 2.98 times less than than Wisconsin and 3.71 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Waukesha are 1.75 times less than than Wisconsin and 2.47 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Waukesha (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Waukesha to every other city in Wisconsin, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Waukesha safe? The gauges above illustrate that Waukesha is safer than 58% of every city located within Wisconsin along with 75% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Wisconsin and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Waukesha, WI is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Waukesha

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Waukesha is 1 in 1003
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Waukesha is 1 in 127
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Waukesha is 1 in 113
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Waukesha, Wisconsin? If you reside in Waukesha, then there is a 1 in 1003 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 127. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 113 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Waukesha.

        Year Over Year Crime In Waukesha (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Waukesha is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Waukesha has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 2% in Waukesha, while property crimes in Waukesha have decreased by 9%. Total crime has decreased by 8% year over year.

        Waukesha police department

        Item Waukesha Wisconsin National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1489,355558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.12.43.3
        There are a total of 148 Waukesha police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.8% less than the Wisconsin average and 35.9% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Wisconsin

        State Total offenders Wisconsin /100K National /100K
        Wisconsin24,983456266
        There are a total of 24,983 sex offenders in Wisconsin. This yields a total of 456 sex offenders in Wisconsin per 100,000 residents which is 71% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Oconomowoc, WI16,9310169169
        Nashotah, WI1,28742194236
        Wales, WI2,59247217264
        Merton, WI3,72157264320
        Hartland, WI9,31793280373
        North Prairie, WI2,54272335407
        Potter Lake, WI93677359436
        Waukesha, WI72,419100793893

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Kissimmee, FL72,4104091,6952,104
        New Britain, CT72,5433632,0622,425
        Lafayette, IN72,5565942,1892,783
        Albany, GA72,6343347561,090
        Turlock, CA72,7155752,8693,443
        Waukesha, WI72,419100793893
        Source: The Waukesha, WI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.