Is Beaver Dam or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Beaver Dam is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 64/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,269 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 68% lower. Beaver Dam has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beaver Dam has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 160.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beaver Dam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaver Dam, WI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaver Dam | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,268.7 | 4,012.2 | -2,743.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 145.7 | 539.9 | -394.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 42.5 | 58.8 | -16.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 103.2 | 128.3 | -25.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,123.1 | 3,472.4 | -2,349.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 12.1 | 294.8 | -282.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,056.3 | 2,318.8 | -1,262.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 54.6 | 858.9 | -804.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaver Dam or Chicago safer?
Beaver Dam is safer with a total crime rate of 1,269 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaver Dam has a violent crime rate of 145.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Beaver Dam has lower violent crime.
About Beaver Dam, WI
Beaver Dam, WI, a city of 16,000 in Dodge County, is known for its historic downtown and the Beaver Dam Lake. It's a regional hub with a strong agricultural heritage, once home to the Wayland Academy. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 16,473, Beaver Dam has a total crime rate of 1,268.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.