Violent
Property
Total
Wausau, WI Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 39,949
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wausau, Wisconsin Safe?
Wausau has a safety score of 76/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,304.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wausau ranks #45 out of 83 cities in Wisconsin and #1104 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 63rd percentile for safety — safer than 63% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Wausau is rape, at 105.1 per 100K — 2.4x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Wausau's total crime rate decreased by 15.7%, with violent crime declining 28%.
Wausau Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 118 | 295.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 42 | 105.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 15.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 69 | 172.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 403 | 1,008.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 43 | 107.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 334 | 836.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 26 | 65.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wausau vs Wisconsin Average
How does Wausau's crime rate compare to the Wisconsin state average?
| Metric | Wausau | Wisconsin Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 295.4 | 430.5 | -31.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,008.8 | 1,647.2 | -38.8% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.0 | -58.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,304.2 | 2,077.7 | -37.2% |
Wausau Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wausau, Wisconsin.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39,949 | 1,304.2 | 295.4 | 1,008.8 |
| 2023 | 39,743 | 1,547.4 | 410.1 | 1,137.3 |
| 2022 | 39,349 | 1,679.8 | 396.5 | 1,283.4 |
| 2021 | 38,435 | 2,058.0 | 418.9 | 1,639.1 |
| 2020 | 38,492 | 1,935.5 | 475.4 | 1,460.0 |
| 2019 | 38,507 | 1,760.7 | 407.7 | 1,353.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wausau, Wisconsin safe?
Wausau has a safety score of 76/100. With a total crime rate of 1,304.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wausau is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Wausau, Wisconsin?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wausau has a violent crime rate of 295.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,008.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wausau compare to the national average?
Wausau's total crime rate of 1,304.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 39,949.
What types of crime are most common in Wausau?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wausau include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wausau safe to visit?
Like any city, Wausau has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 76/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.