Is Madison or Port Washington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Port Washington is safer than Madison (Safety Score 88/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 605 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 71% lower. Madison has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Port Washington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 21.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Port Washington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Port Washington, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Port Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 605.2 | +1,516.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 38.8 | +217.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 0.0 | +26.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 0.0 | +33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 38.8 | +154.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 566.4 | +1,298.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 15.5 | +143.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 519.9 | +1,075.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 31.0 | +79.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Port Washington safer?
Port Washington is safer with a total crime rate of 605 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Port Washington has 38.8. Port Washington has lower violent crime.
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.
About Port Washington, WI
Port Washington, a city on Lake Michigan, was once home to a bustling commercial fishing industry. The community of 12,000 is the seat of Ozaukee County. With a safety score of 88/100 and a population coverage of 12,888, Port Washington has a total crime rate of 605.2 per 100,000 residents.