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Consider Madison, Wisconsin: Known for its vibrant arts scene, lakeside landscapes, and a big-time university vibe with the University of Wisconsin, the city exudes a welcoming and alluring charm.
But is Madison Wisconsin safe? And what is the crime rate in Madison WI?
Throughout its time as a city, the Madison WI crime rate has typically hovered around the U.S average, a respectable achievement for a city of well over 250,000 people. That said, as is the case with all cities, crime trends have fluctuated, with some areas seeing decreases while others face challenges. Overall, however, Madison is notably safe, especially in terms of violent crimes that fall below the national average.
Whether you’re relocating or simply exploring, understanding local safety stats can guide you toward security - and, ultimately, a sense of belonging. Here's everything there is to know about the crime rate in Madison.
Understanding the Madison WI Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Is Madison Wisconsin safe? That question often hinges on the Madison WI crime rate, yet crime rates are more complicated than they look. They’re typically calculated from FBI data covering index crimes, separated into “violent” and “property” categories. But the FBI itself discourages comparing cities using these crime index numbers, since underreported offenses and differences in how agencies track or define crimes can skew results.
For instance, one neighborhood’s concentrated violent crime or a string of property thefts downtown may inflate city-wide rates. Meanwhile, serious offenses like domestic violence or shootings are sometimes lumped into broader categories or go unreported altogether. This leaves big gaps in the data - especially notable in 2021 when nearly 40% of agencies didn’t submit complete figures to the FBI.
Despite these limitations, crime rates offer a starting point, but they’re far from the final word on whether Madison (or any other city) is truly safe.
What Is the Crime Rate in Madison Wisconsin?
Let's break down the crime rate in Madison Wisconsin by the three major categories:
Total Madison WI crime rate: An overall rate that combines every reported offense - both property and violent crimes - into one figure.
Property crime rate in Madison WI: Focuses on non-violent offenses against someone’s property, such as burglary, theft (including larceny), motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Violent crime rate in Madison WI: Includes offenses involving force or threat of force, such as murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault.
To give you a general idea of how safe is Madison Wisconsin while still considering crime rate nuances.
Total crime rate Madison WI: The total crime rate in Madison WI is 2,697 crimes per 100,000 people. This is 60.3% higher than the state average but only 16.0% higher than the national average.
Madison violent crime rate: The violent crime rate in Madison WI is quite low at 301 offences per 100,000 people. This is 1.3% higher than the Wisconsin average but 18.6% lower than the national average!
Madison property crime rate: The property crime rate in Madison WI is 2,396 occurrences per 100,000 people. This is the most common type of crime in Madison WI, being 73% higher than the state average and 22.6% higher than the national average.
Madison Crime Rate Map & Reports
Curious where Madison’s crime hotspots are? The Madison Police Department publishes selected offense data through its Community Crime Map. While the location pin is often close to the real address, it’s only approximate, and certain events may not appear at all. Still, this Madison crime map is a helpful starting point for seeing patterns by neighborhood - just keep in mind disclaimers about reporting delays and accuracy.
For deeper insight into local crime, explore the Madison Police Department’s detailed crime and police reports available on their website.
Violent Crime in Madison WI
The violent crime rate in Madison WI is 301 offences per 100,000 people and 18.6% lower than the national average, which means you have about a 1 in 333 chance of being a victim of a violent crime (when looking purely at statistics). In total, there were 810 violent crimes in 2022 (the latest FBI numbers).
The murder rate in Madison is just 2 per 100,000, 62.3% lower than the state and 68.5% lower than the national average.
Police Chief Shon Barnes reported an 8% decrease in violent crime in 2024, so if you've ever wondered, "Is Madison Wisconsin safe?", these trends highlight a positive direction toward a resounding yes!
Property Crime in Madison WI
Property crime is the most common type of occurrence in the city of Madison and encompasses crimes like larceny-theft, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson. While we know the property crime rate Madison WI is 2,396 occurrences per 100,000 people and 22.6% higher than the national average, this means you have about a 1 in 42 chance of being a victim of some form of property crime.
In total, there were 6,459 property crimes in 2022, while 2024 saw a lot of improvement in these figures.
The Least Safe & Worst Neighborhoods in Madison WI
If you’re asking, “Is Madison Wisconsin safe?” or wondering about the Madison WI crime rate, it helps to look closer at the high-crime neighborhoods below to get the real story on Madison Wisconsin safety.
When it comes to the Madison crime rate, these are some of the worst neighborhoods in Madison WI, pulling crime rate data from Areavibes.
Vera Court (North Side): This small neighborhood consistently registers the highest crime rates in Madison, with a violent crime rate of around 3,386 per 100,000 residents, over ten times the citywide average. Despite its size, Vera Court sees frequent serious offenses, including assaults and gun violence (for example, a 2022 north-side shooting involving Vera Court turned fatal), alongside elevated levels of theft and burglary.
Wexford Ridge (West Side): This apartment complex area has an exceptionally high crime rate, with violent crime at roughly 1,589 per 100,000 and a staggering property crime rate of about 11,663 per 100,000 – making it one of the worst in Madison for both violent and property offenses. The neighborhood is plagued by frequent property crimes (car break-ins and burglaries) and occasional violence; in one 2020 incident, a broad daylight shooting at Wexford Ridge left a 30-year-old man dead and two teenagers injured
North Lake Mendota (North Side): This area experiences very high crime as well, with a violent crime rate of about 1,652 per 100,000 residents (approximately 4–5 times the Madison city average). Residents report concerns with both violent and property crimes - for example, recent police data noted multiple thefts, including motor vehicle thefts, occurring within a single month in this neighborhood.
Mayfair Park (East Side): Mayfair Park endures one of the highest crime levels in the city, with overall crime about five times the Madison average and a violent crime rate nearly four times higher than typical (approximately 1,199 violent incidents per 100,000 people). This neighborhood faces persistent problems with property crimes, such as home burglaries and vehicle theft, as well as notable violent incidents (including a 2022 homicide by stabbing) that underscore ongoing safety concerns.
Worthington Park (Darbo, East Side): The Darbo-Worthington area continues to struggle with high crime, roughly 67% above the national average overall, with a violent crime rate around 922 per 100,000 (about three times the city’s average). Recurring issues here include gun violence and drug-related offenses – for example, a 14-year-old was shot and wounded in this neighborhood in 2017, and police have historically dealt with open-air drug dealing and even “crack house” operations in the vicinity.
Allied Drive/Dunn’s Marsh (Prairie Hills, Southwest Side): The Allied Drive area (also known as Prairie Hills) consistently ranks among Madison’s highest-crime neighborhoods, with total crime rates roughly three times the national average and violent crime about 175% higher than national norms. This community has long struggled with gang activity, drug offenses, and violence.
Best and Safest Neighborhoods in Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin boasts many vibrant communities, but safety sets some apart. For anyone researching the best neighborhoods in Madison WI, safety is a top priority. Fortunately, the safest neighborhoods in Madison WI offer low crime (data again pulled from Areavibes) along with strong community appeal and amenities.
Wexford Village
Wexford Village is a family-friendly west-side neighborhood known for its quiet streets and parks. Crime here is very low - overall rates are 41% below the national average, with violent crime 68% lower. Residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of being a crime victim.
Maple-Prairie
Maple-Prairie offers a quiet suburban setting on Madison’s southwest side. Violent crime in this neighborhood is 49% lower than the U.S. average. Residents have about a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim, and Maple-Prairie is safer than 76% of cities statewide.
Hill Farms-University
Hill Farms-University is an established west-side neighborhood and one of Madison’s safest neighborhoods. Crime rates are 62% lower than the national average, and violent crime is 91% lower. With only a 1 in 117 chance of being a crime victim, residents enjoy exceptional peace of mind.
Vilas
Vilas is a charming near-campus neighborhood bordering the UW Arboretum and Henry Vilas Zoo. The area features low crime rates – about 28% below the national average, with violent crime 66% lower. Residents have roughly a 1 in 61 chance of being a crime victim, underscoring Vilas’s safety and desirability.
Dudgeon-Monroe
Dudgeon-Monroe offers a peaceful lakeside vibe with urban amenities along Monroe Street. Crime rates here are about 1% below the U.S. average, and violent crime is 58% lower. Residents enjoy a strong community feel and have roughly a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a crime victim.
Madison WI Crime Tips
Living in Madison WI or any of the lovely Madison suburbs means living in a safe place where you can feel good about your security. Plus, the cost of living is quite reasonable, and the Madison climate is just another allure!
That said, crime still happens, so keep these simple Madison WI crime tips in mind:
Check MPD’s community crime map to gauge the Madison WI crime rate in your neighborhood.
Join local Facebook groups discussing Madison Wisconsin safety to see real-time warnings or suspicious activity.
Wondering is Madison Wisconsin safe? Use UW Police advisories or request SAFEwalk escorts for campus routes.
Monitor Madison WI crime trends, especially property break-ins near Capitol-area bars and restaurants.
Before renting, compare the crime rate Madison WI on Areavibes to ensure your chosen neighborhood’s safety.
Participate in neighborhood gatherings like National Night Out to build local connections and deter crime.
Report any and all crimes/suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.
Madison WI Police Department
While you'll always call 911 for emergencies, here's helpful info about the Madison Police Department.
Total number of officers: 500 (about 2 per 1,000 residents)
Department history: Founded in 1856, the Madison Police Department serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Wisconsin’s capital city.
Notable Units: The Madison Police Department maintains specialized units including the K9 Unit for narcotics detection and patrol, a SWAT Team for high-risk operations, a Community Policing unit fostering public trust, a Cyber Crimes division handling digital investigations, and additional task forces targeting drug trafficking and gang activity.
Madison WI Police Chief: John Patterson
Police reports: Find publicly available police reports in Madison Wisconsin via the link.
Overall, Madison WI is considered a safe city, though crime rates can vary notably by neighborhood. The violent crime rate in Madison is especially low, which cannot be said for many other cities of the same size!
Is Downtown Madison WI Safe?
Downtown Madison WI generally has a strong police presence and is safe, but property crimes do occur, especially in late-night entertainment areas.
What Is the crime rate in Madison WI?
The Madison WI crime rate is near the national average, with property crimes outnumbering violent offenses citywide. The overall crime rate is 2,697 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 60.3% higher than the state average and 16.0% higher than the national average.
Moving to Madison?
Are you moving to, in, or around Madison sometime soon? We hope this insight into the Madison WI crime rate provides insight that can make you feel good about your decision!
And when the time comes to move, call the Madison movers of StraightLine Moving Company at 608-200-3880 for a free moving quote! With all sorts of moving services, we make any transition an effortless endeavour.
