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D+

Is Madison, Wisconsin Safe?

Population 286,233 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Madison means there's room for concern. The 252.7 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,475 per 100K.

Madison Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMadisonWisconsin AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate368.5334.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2158.32036.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate303.0--268.2
Theft Rate1475.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate283.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

252.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

369/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2158/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Madison

Violent crime in Madison is close to the national average. The rate of 368.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2158.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,475 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 303 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Madison Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault303
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery67
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary340
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,475
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft283
089% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Madison Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Madison
368.5
State
334.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Madison
2158.3
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Madison Safety

Is Madison safe?
Not especially. Madison earns a D+ with a crime rate of 252.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Madison?
252.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 368.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2158.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Madison safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Madison's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,475 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Madison?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Madison generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Madison police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Madison?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Madison's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Madison compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Below average for the state. Madison ranks behind about 79% of Wisconsin cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Madison to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Madison?
Bad. A D+ grade and 252.7 per-thousand rate put Madison below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 369 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Madison?
368.5 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (303), robbery (67), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

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View all Wisconsin city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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