Is Beaver Dam or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Beaver Dam is safer than Madison (Safety Score 64/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 1,269 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 40% 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: Madison is 17.1x 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
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaver Dam, WI
Madison, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaver Dam | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,268.7 | 2,121.3 | -852.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 145.7 | 256.3 | -110.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 42.5 | 26.6 | +15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 33.7 | -33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 103.2 | 193.2 | -90.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,123.1 | 1,865.0 | -741.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 12.1 | 158.5 | -146.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,056.3 | 1,595.5 | -539.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 54.6 | 111.0 | -56.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaver Dam or Madison safer?
Beaver Dam is safer with a total crime rate of 1,269 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaver Dam has a violent crime rate of 145.7 per 100K while Madison has 256.3. 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 Madison, WI
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, sits on an isthmus between two lakes, Mendota and Monona. Home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it's known for its progressive politics and vibrant student culture. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 282,045, Madison has a total crime rate of 2,121.3 per 100,000 residents.