CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Wausau, Wisconsin Safe?

Population 40,188 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 40,188, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Wausau earns a C- with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,643 per 100K.

Wausau Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWausauWisconsin AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate296.1334.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2071.02036.01,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate196.0--268.2
Theft Rate1643.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate368.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

236.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

296/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2071/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Wausau

Violent crime in Wausau is below the national average. The rate of 296.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2071.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,643 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Wausau Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault196
073% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary314
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,643
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft368
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Wausau Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wausau
296.1
State
334.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wausau
2071.0
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Wausau Safety

Is Wausau safe?
Not especially. Wausau earns a C- with a crime rate of 236.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Wausau?
236.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 296.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2071.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Wausau safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Wausau's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,643 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Wausau?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Wausau generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Wausau police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Wausau?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Wausau's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Wausau compare to other cities in Wisconsin?
Below average for the state. Wausau ranks behind about 79% of Wisconsin cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Wausau to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Wausau?
Bad. A C- grade and 236.7 per-thousand rate put Wausau below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 296 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Wausau?
296.1 per 100,000, which is 19% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (196), robbery (63), and murder (2.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

Similar-sized communities in Wisconsin. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in New Berlin39,953 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Sun Prairie39,227 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Menomonee Falls41,291 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Brookfield41,448 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Oak Creek38,296 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Greenfield37,159 pop · Grade D+
View all Wisconsin city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Wausau

Get weekly safety updates for Wausau

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities