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D+

Is Onalaska, Wisconsin Safe?

Population 20,297 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Onalaska is a smaller community of 20,297 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 243.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,468 per 100K.

Onalaska Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOnalaskaWisconsin AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate392.6334.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2039.72036.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate302.0--268.2
Theft Rate1468.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate476.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

243.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

393/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2040/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Onalaska

Violent crime in Onalaska is close to the national average. The rate of 392.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2039.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,468 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 302 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Onalaska Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault302
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary279
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,468
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft476
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Onalaska Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Onalaska
392.6
State
334.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Onalaska
2039.7
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Onalaska Safety

Is Onalaska safe?
Not especially. Onalaska earns a D+ with a crime rate of 243.2 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 Onalaska?
243.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 392.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2039.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Onalaska safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Onalaska's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,468 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Onalaska?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Onalaska generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Onalaska police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Onalaska?
No. Crime in Onalaska has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Onalaska compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Below average for the state. Onalaska ranks behind about 78% of Wisconsin cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Onalaska to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Onalaska?
Bad. A D+ grade and 243.2 per-thousand rate put Onalaska below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 393 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Onalaska?
392.6 per 100,000, which is 8% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (302), robbery (56), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

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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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