Lets deep dive into the some statistics, look at crime rates and graphs and see how safe or dangerous Milwaukee really is.
What is Milwaukee’s Crime Rate?
In 2021 Milwaukee had a crime rate of 1,786.81 per 100,000 residents. Milwaukee’s crime rate is 4.5 times higher than the national average and is on par with cities like Cleveland, Camden and South Bend.
|
Population |
Violent Crime |
Milwaukee’s Crime Rate |
2017 |
593,905 |
9,608 |
1,617.77 |
2018 |
592,025 |
8,739 |
1,476.12 |
2019 |
590,157 |
8,290 |
1,404.71 |
2020 |
577,222 |
10,004 |
1,733.13 |
2021 |
575,606 |
10,285 |
1,786.81 |
Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Milwaukee’s violent crime rate:
*All data is from the Milwaukee Police Department*
Does Milwaukee have a high crime rate?
Milwaukee has a high crime rate. It’s crime rate is many times higher than the national average and is one of the higest crime rates in the nation.
Milwaukee’s Crime Rate Breakdown
Violent Crime Rate
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 10,285 violent crimes and had a violent crime rate of 1,786.81 per 100,000 residents.
Year over year violent crime has increased by 3%.
You have a 1 in 56 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Milwaukee.
Here’s a graph showing you how violent crime has trended in Milwaukee over a 12 year period. Violent crime was at its lowest level in 2011 and has increased nearly 50% since then.
*Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults.
Murder Rate
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 193 murders and had a murder rate of 33.53 per 100,000 residents. Milwaukee’ murder rate is more than 5 times greater than the national average.
193 murders is the most amount of murders ever recorded in Milwaukee.
Year over year murders has increased 2%.
You have a 1 in 2,982 chance of becoming a victim of murder in Milwaukee.
Here’s a graph showing you how murders have trended over the last 12 years in Milwaukee. Murders was at its lowest level in 2014 and has increased nearly 124% since then.
Here’s a table you showing the murder rates of 15 major cities in the United States. Milwaukee murder rate and is comparable to cities like Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
|
Murder Rate |
Philadelphia |
35.4 |
Milwaukee | 33.53 |
Washington D.C. |
32.2 |
Chicago |
29.3 |
Oakland |
28.6 |
Houston |
20.3 |
Dallas |
16.1 |
Phoenix |
11.5 |
Portland |
11 |
Los Angeles |
10.6 |
Las Vegas |
8.7 |
Austin | 8.5 |
San Francisco |
6.3 |
New York |
5.7 |
San Diego |
4.1 |
San Jose |
2.9 |
Property Crime Rate
In 2021 Milwaukee reported 23,737 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 4,123.83 per 100,000 residents. Milwaukee’s property crime rate is 2 times greater the national average.
Year over year property crime has increased by 41%.
You have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Milwaukee.
Here’s a graph showing you how property crime has trended in Milwaukee over a 12 year period.
*Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson
Milwaukee’s crime rate vs other cities in Wisconsin (2020)
Here’s how Milwaukee’s crime rate compared to other cities in Wisconsin. Milwaukee had the highest crime rates of all cities listed.
|
Population |
Violent Crime Rates |
Milwaukee |
577,222 |
1,733.13 |
Racine |
77,816 |
532.02 |
Green Bay |
107,395 |
513.99 |
Kenosha |
99,986 |
391.05 |
Madison |
269,840 |
312.04 |
Oshkosh |
66,816 |
279.87 |
Eau Claire |
69,421 |
275.13 |
Appleton |
75,644 |
261.75 |
Janesville |
65,615 |
220.99 |
Waukesha |
71,158 |
172.85 |
Milwaukee’s Crime Rate Comparison
Here’s a list of the top 22 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by crime rates. Milwaukee’s crime rate is 5.7x less than Monroe, the most dangerous city in the U.S.
How are Milwaukee’s crime rates calculated?
Crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
For example, in 2021 there were 193 murders in Milwaukee and the population was 575,606. This equals a murder rate of 33.53 per 100,000 residents.
Milwaukee’s Crime Statistics
|
2020 |
2021 |
% CHANGE |
Homicide |
190 |
193 |
2% |
Rape |
491 |
503 |
2% |
Robbery |
2,085 |
2,080 |
-0% |
Aggravated Assault |
7,238 |
7,509 |
4% |
VIOLENT CRIME TOTALS |
10,004 |
10,285 |
3% |
Burglary |
3,462 |
2,828 |
-18% |
Theft |
8,547 |
10,185 |
19% |
Motor Vehicle Theft |
4,508 |
10,479 |
132% |
Arson |
288 |
245 |
-15% |
PROPERTY CRIME TOTALS |
16,805 |
23,737 |
41% |
TOTALS |
26,809 |
34,022 |
27% |
How much has crime increased in Milwaukee?
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 34,022 total crimes, which is a 27% increase over 2020.
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 10,285 violent crimes, which is a 3% increase over 2020.
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 193 murders, which is a 2% increase over 2020.
In 2021, Milwaukee reported 23,737 property crimes, which is a 41% increase over 2020.
Facts about Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The population of Milwaukee in 2021 is 575,606 and is the 31st most populous city in the United States.
- The city covers a land area of 96.18 square miles.
- The median age of the city is 31 years old.
- The median income for a household in the city was $43,125. The per capita income for the city was $24,167.
- 24.6% of the population live below the poverty line.
- 84.4% of residents 25 and older is a high school graduate. 24.6% of residents 25 and older has a bachelors degree or higher.
- The median home price in Milwaukee is $165,000 in 2022.
- In 2022, the average rent for a Milwaukee 2-bedroom apartment is $1,095.