Is Madison or Waupun Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waupun is safer than Madison (Safety Score 87/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 662 per 100,000 versus 2,121 for Madison — 69% lower. Madison has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waupun has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Madison is 25.9x 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
Waupun — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Madison, WI
Waupun, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Madison | Waupun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,121.3 | 662.2 | +1,459.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 256.3 | 285.1 | -28.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 9.2 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 26.6 | 36.8 | -10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.7 | 0.0 | +33.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 193.2 | 239.1 | -45.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,865.0 | 377.1 | +1,487.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 158.5 | 55.2 | +103.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,595.5 | 275.9 | +1,319.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.0 | 46.0 | +65.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madison or Waupun safer?
Waupun is safer with a total crime rate of 662 per 100K vs 2,121 for Madison — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Madison has a violent crime rate of 256.3 per 100K while Waupun has 285.1. Madison 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 Waupun, WI
Waupun, a city in Dodge County, is known for its many outdoor sculptures, earning it the nickname "Sculpture Capital of Wisconsin." Located along the Rock River, its population was around 11,340 in 2020. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 10,873, Waupun has a total crime rate of 662.2 per 100,000 residents.