Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 282,045
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Madison, Wisconsin Safe?
Madison has a safety score of 61/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Madison ranks #70 out of 83 cities in Wisconsin and #1871 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 37th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 63% of US cities.
Year over year, Madison's total crime rate decreased by 19.6%, with violent crime declining 15.5%.
Madison Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 723 | 256.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 75 | 26.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 95 | 33.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 545 | 193.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,260 | 1,865.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 447 | 158.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 4,500 | 1,595.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 313 | 111.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Madison vs Wisconsin Average
How does Madison's crime rate compare to the Wisconsin state average?
| Metric | Madison | Wisconsin Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 430.5 | -40.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 1,647.2 | +13.2% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.0 | -58.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 2,077.7 | +2.1% |
Madison Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Madison, Wisconsin.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 282,045 | 2,121.3 | 256.3 | 1,865.0 |
| 2023 | 274,234 | 2,638.3 | 303.4 | 2,334.9 |
| 2022 | 269,546 | 2,720.1 | 309.8 | 2,410.4 |
| 2021 | 266,199 | 2,837.7 | 312.6 | 2,525.2 |
| 2020 | 262,736 | 3,112.6 | 325.8 | 2,786.8 |
| 2019 | 261,270 | 2,833.9 | 359.8 | 2,474.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison, Wisconsin safe?
Madison has a safety score of 61/100. With a total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Madison is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Madison, Wisconsin?
According to FBI data for 2024, Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,865.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Madison compare to the national average?
Madison's total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 282,045.
What types of crime are most common in Madison?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Madison include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Madison safe to visit?
Like any city, Madison has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 61/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.