Wisconsin is still one of the safer states overall, but a few cities and suburbs stand out for elevated crime levels in recent data. Based on city-level crime rankings and state crime reporting, the places most often flagged as the worst to live in Wisconsin are concentrated around Milwaukee and a few other urban or high-traffic areas.
When people search for the “worst” cities, they usually mean places with the highest violent crime, the highest property crime, or both. Using those indicators, the 10 cities below are among the most concerning in Wisconsin in 2026-style rankings built from recent FBI-based data.
1. Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and also the state’s biggest crime hotspot. In the 2024 FBI-based violent crime ranking, Milwaukee had 8,019 violent crimes, far above every other city in the state. SafeHome also identifies Milwaukee as one of Wisconsin’s highest violent-crime cities, with a violent crime rate of 1,438 per 100,000 residents.
2. West Milwaukee
West Milwaukee is a small suburb, but its property crime rate is extremely high compared with the rest of the state. SafeHome lists it at 14,694 property crimes per 100,000 residents, which is the highest property-crime figure in the article. That kind of rate makes it one of the most commonly cited places to avoid if safety is your top concern.
3. Lake Delton
Lake Delton is heavily shaped by tourism, which can drive up property crime through foot traffic, crowded attractions, and unattended belongings. SafeHome ranks it second in Wisconsin for property crime at 9,167 per 100,000 residents. Even though it is a popular destination, the crime profile makes it a weaker choice for long-term living.
4. Brown Deer
Brown Deer appears near the top of Wisconsin’s property-crime list as well. SafeHome reports 5,063 property crimes per 100,000 residents, placing it among the state’s most troubled places for property offenses. For families or commuters looking for stability, that is a serious drawback.
5. Madison
Madison is generally viewed as more balanced than Milwaukee, but it still shows up in state crime rankings. In the FBI-based 2024 violent-crime list, Madison recorded 722 violent crimes, making it the second-highest total in Wisconsin. Because it is a large city with a dense student and government population, crime is more spread out, but it still lands on worst-city lists.
6. Green Bay
Green Bay is another major city that stands out in violent-crime counts. The 2024 FBI-based ranking places it third in Wisconsin with 521 violent crimes. It is not in the same league as Milwaukee, but it still ranks high enough to worry people comparing Wisconsin cities by safety.
7. Racine
Racine is frequently included in Wisconsin danger rankings because its violent-crime total remains elevated. The FBI-based table shows 292 violent crimes in 2024, placing it fourth in the state. That level keeps Racine on the radar for anyone screening cities by public-safety risk.
8. Kenosha
Kenosha also appears in the upper tier of violent-crime totals. It recorded 279 violent crimes in the 2024 FBI-based Wisconsin ranking, just behind Racine. While it has lakeside appeal, its crime numbers still make it one of the state’s weaker options for safe living.
9. Sheboygan
Sheboygan sits below the biggest metros, but it still appears in the top 10 for violent-crime counts. The FBI-based data shows 212 violent crimes in 2024, which is enough to place it among the more concerning Wisconsin cities. It is a reminder that mid-sized cities can also struggle with crime.
10. West Allis
West Allis rounds out the list because of its place in the FBI-based violent-crime ranking. It logged 151 violent crimes in 2024, placing it just inside the top 10 for the state. Combined with its suburban density and proximity to Milwaukee, that makes it a city many people scrutinize carefully before moving.
SOURCES:
- https://www.beautifydata.com/united-states-crimes/fbi-ucr/2024/ranking-of-cities-by-number-of-crimes-by-crime-type-per-state/violent/wisconsin
- https://www.areavibes.com/wi/most-dangerous-cities/
