B-
18%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
46%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
30%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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 peopleWauwatosa/100k peopleWisconsin/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,295n/a (estimate)2,7471,6822,324
Murder0n/a0.05.36.3
Rape5n/a10.638.640.0
Robbery42n/a89.139.466.1
Assault47n/a99.7213.7268.2
Violent crime94n/a (estimate)199297370
Burglary62n/a131.5153.7269.8
Theft893n/a1,894.0981.01,401.9
Vehicle theft246n/a521.8250.3282.7
Property crime1,201n/a (estimate)2,5471,3851,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wauwatosa, WI

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Wauwatosa is 18.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 94 violent crimes reported in Wauwatosa, equivalent to 199 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 46.1%. Additionally, Wauwatosa recorded 1201 property crimes, amounting to 2547 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 30.3%.

In the latest reported crime year, Wauwatosa recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Wauwatosa is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Wauwatosa reported a total of 246 vehicle thefts, resulting in 522 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 192, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Wauwatosa?

AreaVibes surveyed 10 local residents in Wauwatosa to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 50% of people answered that there was very little crime in Wauwatosa and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 50% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Wauwatosa a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Wauwatosa 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, Wauwatosa has an overall crime rate that is 18% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 3.55 daily occurrences, comprising 0.26 violent crimes and 3.29 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Wauwatosa as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Wauwatosa Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Wauwatosa has decreased by 5.1%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Wauwatosa, 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 increased by 36.2%, while property crime has decreased by 7.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Wauwatosa is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa has a poverty rate of 5.9, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

Wauwatosa has a population density of 3639.6 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Wauwatosa crime rates.

In Wauwatosa, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.4 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

Wauwatosa crime map



The Wauwatosa crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Wauwatosa 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.
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Compare Wauwatosa, WI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Wauwatosa crime rates are 18% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Wauwatosa are 46% lower than the national average
      • In Wauwatosa you have a 1 in 37 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Wauwatosa is safer than 40% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Wauwatosa has decreased by 2%

      Wauwatosa, WI Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Wauwatosa (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Wauwatosa, WI per 100,000 people. In Wauwatosa, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.63 times more than the Wisconsin average and 1.18 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Wauwatosa is 1.49 times less than the Wisconsin average and 1.85 times less than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Wauwatosa has a daily crime rate that is 1.84 times more than the Wisconsin average and 1.30 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Wauwatosa (higher is better)

        How safe is Wauwatosa, Wisconsin compared to other cities in Wisconsin and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Wauwatosa is safer than 16% of the cities in Wisconsin and 40% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Wisconsin and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Wauwatosa. Overall, Wauwatosa is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wauwatosa

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wauwatosa is 1 in 502
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wauwatosa is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wauwatosa is 1 in 37
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin? If you reside in Wauwatosa, then there is a 1 in 502 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 40. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 37 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Wauwatosa.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Wauwatosa is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Wauwatosa has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 40% in Wauwatosa, while property crimes in Wauwatosa have decreased by 4%. Total crime has decreased by 2% year over year.

        Wauwatosa police department

        Item Wauwatosa Wisconsin National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1129,355558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.42.43.3
        There are a total of 112 Wauwatosa police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 0.3% greater than the Wisconsin average and 26.3% 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
        Thiensville, WI3,1490182182
        River Hills, WI1,44142194236
        Merton, WI3,72157264320
        Big Bend, WI1,27280373452
        Muskego, WI25,07747457504
        Bayside, WI4,5300573573
        Lannon, WI1,184102476578
        Wauwatosa, WI48,1431992,5472,747

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Newark, CA48,1483204,3704,690
        Lincoln, CA48,1501838821,065
        Sheboygan, WI48,1533331,3941,727
        La Mirada, CA48,2601771,8652,042
        Beaumont, CA48,2723501,2341,584
        Wauwatosa, WI48,1431992,5472,747
        Source: The Wauwatosa, 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.