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D

Is South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Safe?

Population 20,191 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in South Milwaukee runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 84% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,982 per 100K.

South Milwaukee Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth MilwaukeeWisconsin AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate406.1334.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2277.92036.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate315.0--268.2
Theft Rate1982.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate418.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

268.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

406/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2278/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South Milwaukee

Violent crime in South Milwaukee is close to the national average. The rate of 406.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2277.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,982 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 315 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

South Milwaukee Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault315
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery48
076% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary422
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,982
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft418
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South Milwaukee Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Milwaukee
406.1
State
334.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Milwaukee
2277.9
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South Milwaukee Safety

Is South Milwaukee safe?
Not especially. South Milwaukee earns a D with a crime rate of 268.4 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 South Milwaukee?
268.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 406.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2277.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South Milwaukee safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. South Milwaukee's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,982 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South Milwaukee?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South Milwaukee generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South Milwaukee police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South Milwaukee?
Crime rates have held steady in South Milwaukee, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does South Milwaukee compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Below average for the state. South Milwaukee ranks behind about 84% of Wisconsin cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is South Milwaukee to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in South Milwaukee?
Bad. A D grade and 268.4 per-thousand rate put South Milwaukee below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 406 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in South Milwaukee?
406.1 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (315), robbery (48), and murder (7.0) 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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