Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Milwaukee, WI has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,743 of 2,971 US cities and #81 of 83 in Wisconsin.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Milwaukee, Wisconsin Safe?
Milwaukee, a city on Lake Michigan's western shore, boasts a rich brewing heritage and a diverse population. Its industrial past is evident in its architecture and strong community ties.
Milwaukee has a safety score of 8/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Milwaukee ranks #81 out of 83 cities in Wisconsin and #2743 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Milwaukee is murder, at 23.9 per 100K — 3.9x the national average. Conversely, larceny-theft is relatively low at just 0.8x the national rate.
Year over year, Milwaukee's total crime rate decreased by 0.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Milwaukee Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 8,038 | 1,434.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 134 | 23.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 382 | 68.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1,727 | 308.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 5,776 | 1,030.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 15,135 | 2,700.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 2,175 | 388.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 7,034 | 1,255.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5,926 | 1,057.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Milwaukee vs Wisconsin Average
How does Milwaukee's crime rate compare to the Wisconsin state average?
| Metric | Milwaukee | Wisconsin Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,434.3 | 430.5 | +233.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,700.7 | 1,647.2 | +64.0% |
| Murder Rate | 23.9 | 6.0 | +297.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,135.0 | 2,077.7 | +99.0% |
Milwaukee Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 560,416 | 4,135.0 | 1,434.3 | 2,700.7 |
| 2023 | 558,698 | 4,139.3 | 1,440.9 | 2,698.4 |
| 2022 | 561,743 | 4,802.2 | 1,528.1 | 3,274.1 |
| 2021 | 593,337 | 5,845.1 | 1,608.4 | 4,236.7 |
| 2020 | 589,105 | 4,401.3 | 1,625.4 | 2,775.9 |
| 2019 | 590,923 | 3,889.0 | 1,334.2 | 2,554.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee, Wisconsin safe?
Milwaukee has a safety score of 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Milwaukee is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
According to FBI data for 2024, Milwaukee has a violent crime rate of 1,434.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,700.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Milwaukee compare to the national average?
Milwaukee's total crime rate of 4,135.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 560,416 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Milwaukee?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Milwaukee include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Milwaukee safe to visit?
Like any city, Milwaukee has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.