Fond Du Lac, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Fond du Lac, WI

Is Fond du Lac safe?

By most measurable standards, yes — Fond du Lac earns an overall crime grade of B+, which places it comfortably above average compared to similarly sized Wisconsin cities and many Midwest communities of comparable population. With roughly 42,944 residents and a population density of about 862 people per square mile, the city is dense enough to support active policing but spread out enough to avoid the concentrated crime pressures seen in larger urban centers. Violent crime rates remain relatively low, and the B+ grade reflects that the majority of Fond du Lac neighborhoods are genuinely livable and safe for families, renters, and homeowners alike. As with any city, a small number of corridors see higher incident concentrations — the crime map is the best tool for pinpointing those pockets before you move or visit.

What is the crime rate in Fond du Lac, WI?

Fond du Lac's overall crime performance grades out at a B+ for 2026, meaning the city outperforms a significant share of U.S. cities its size. Property crime — including theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary — accounts for the large majority of reported incidents, as is typical nationally where property offenses make up roughly 85–90% of all crime. Violent crime (assault, robbery) represents a much smaller share and remains well below the national per-capita average for cities in the 40,000–50,000 population range. The city's 4.7% unemployment rate and 11.4% poverty rate are moderate economic stress indicators that correlate with crime research, but neither figure is extreme, which helps explain the city's above-average safety grade. Median household income of $54,587 and affordable housing (median home value $128,535) suggest a stable working-class base that tends to support community cohesion.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Fond du Lac?

The crime map consistently shows that Fond du Lac's northern and northwestern residential areas — including neighborhoods near Winneconne Avenue and the subdivisions extending toward the city's outer limits — report lower incident densities. Areas surrounding Constitution Park and the established single-family neighborhoods near Lakeside Park along Lake Winnebago's western shore also trend toward lower property crime rates, partly due to higher owner-occupancy and active neighborhood watch participation. Conversely, incident clustering tends to be higher in and around the downtown commercial corridor and certain blocks of the central city, which is a pattern common to most Midwest cities of this size. The interactive crime map allows you to filter by crime type and time period so you can compare these areas with real data rather than anecdote.

How does Fond du Lac's crime compare to the rest of Wisconsin?

Fond du Lac's B+ overall crime grade positions it favorably within Wisconsin. For context, larger Wisconsin cities with populations above 100,000 frequently grade in the C to D range due to higher violent and property crime concentrations. Mid-sized Wisconsin cities in the 30,000–60,000 population band vary widely — some grade as low as C+ — making Fond du Lac's B+ a genuinely strong result. The city's relatively low population density of 862 people per square mile (compared to, say, Milwaukee's density of over 6,000 per square mile) naturally limits the type of high-frequency street crime that drives down grades in denser environments. Combined with a median rent of just $761, Fond du Lac offers a rare combination of affordability and above-average safety.

Is Fond du Lac a good place to live in 2026?

The data makes a solid case for it. A B+ crime grade means most residents go about daily life without significant safety concerns. The economic profile — $54,587 median household income, $128,535 median home value, $761 median rent, and a 4.7% unemployment rate — reflects a community where housing is attainable and steady employment is the norm. The 11.4% poverty rate is worth noting, as concentrated poverty in specific census tracts can create localized crime hotspots even in otherwise safe cities; the crime map helps identify whether those tracts overlap with areas you're considering. On balance, Fond du Lac's combination of Lake Winnebago access, affordable cost of living, and above-average public safety makes it a competitive choice for families, remote workers, and retirees evaluating smaller Wisconsin cities in 2026.

What types of crime are most common in Fond du Lac?

Consistent with national patterns, property crime dominates Fond du Lac's incident reports — theft (including shoplifting and vehicle break-ins), burglary, and motor vehicle theft collectively account for the overwhelming majority of reported offenses. Vandalism and disorderly conduct are also recurring categories, particularly in the downtown and commercial zones. Violent crimes — aggravated assault, robbery — occur but at rates that keep the city's overall grade at B+, meaning they are not defining the city's safety profile the way they do in lower-graded markets. Drug-related offenses represent an ongoing concern that the Fond du Lac Police Department has addressed through community outreach programs. Using the crime map's category filters, you can isolate any of these crime types and view their geographic distribution across the city's neighborhoods to make data-driven decisions about where to live, work, or visit.