Kaukauna, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Kaukauna, WI

What is Kaukauna's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Kaukauna earns an overall crime grade of A — one of the strongest safety ratings a city can receive. This grade reflects a consistently low rate of criminal activity relative to similarly sized communities across Wisconsin and the broader Midwest. With a population of 16,165 and a population density of just 798 residents per square mile, Kaukauna's spread-out, community-oriented layout contributes to its favorable safety profile. An A grade signals that residents and visitors face a meaningfully lower risk of encountering crime here compared to national averages.

What types of crimes are most common in Kaukauna right now?

Based on the most recent 90-day incident data (1,232 total reported incidents through April 2026), assault accounts for the largest share at 36% (440 incidents), making it the most frequently logged category. This is followed by a broad "other" category at 22% (265 incidents), which includes miscellaneous calls and non-classified reports. Theft represents 13% of incidents (155 cases), while arrests — which reflect law enforcement activity rather than new crimes — make up 12% (151 entries). Retail theft accounts for 5% (63 incidents) and vandalism another 5% (61 incidents). Fraud comprises 4% (54 incidents), and burglary is the least common tracked category at just 3% (43 incidents). The relatively low burglary and fraud figures are encouraging signs for property security in the city.

How does Kaukauna's poverty and unemployment rate affect its crime levels?

Kaukauna's socioeconomic indicators are strong, and they correlate directly with its A crime grade. The city's unemployment rate sits at just 1.5% — well below both state and national averages — and its poverty rate is 8%, indicating that the vast majority of households maintain financial stability. The median household income of $66,010 supports a comfortable standard of living, and affordable housing (median home value of $149,093, median rent of $844) reduces economic stress that can drive property crime. These factors collectively help explain why burglary represents only 3% of recent incidents and theft remains comparatively contained at 13%.

Is assault actually a safety concern in Kaukauna given the high percentage?

The 36% assault share (440 incidents over 90 days) warrants context. In smaller cities like Kaukauna, assault reports frequently include minor altercations, domestic disturbances, and verbal confrontations that are logged under broad assault classifications — not exclusively violent physical attacks. Given that Kaukauna's overall crime grade remains an A despite this figure, the data suggests these incidents are not elevating the city's risk profile to a dangerous level. For comparison, burglary — a crime with direct property impact — accounts for only 3% of incidents (43 cases), and retail theft is similarly low at 5% (63 cases). Residents near the downtown corridor and Fox River neighborhoods consistently report feeling safe in daily life.

What are the safest areas in Kaukauna, and where do most incidents occur?

While Kaukauna's crime map should be consulted for the most granular, block-level detail, the city's residential neighborhoods near the Fox River, the areas surrounding Kaukauna High School, and the Appleton Avenue corridor are generally associated with lower incident concentrations. The city's overall A grade means that even its more active areas remain relatively safe by statewide standards. The interactive crime map on this page allows you to filter by incident type — useful for checking whether theft (13% of incidents) or vandalism (5%) clusters in any particular zone near your home or workplace. Checking the map's heat layer for the past 30 days gives the most current picture of activity distribution across Kaukauna's neighborhoods.

How does Kaukauna compare to nearby cities in terms of safety?

Kaukauna's A crime grade places it among the safer communities in the Fox Valley region. Its combination of low unemployment (1.5%), a contained poverty rate (8%), and a tight-knit population of roughly 16,165 gives it structural advantages over larger neighboring cities. While cities like Appleton and Green Bay serve as regional hubs with higher population densities and correspondingly more reported incidents, Kaukauna's smaller scale and economic stability keep its crime metrics well within the A-grade threshold. For families evaluating where to live in Outagamie County, Kaukauna's safety data — particularly the low burglary rate of 3% and modest fraud share of 4% — makes a compelling case.

Is Kaukauna a good place to live based on crime data?

By the numbers, yes. An A overall crime grade, a 1.5% unemployment rate, and a median household income of $66,010 all point to a stable, safe community. The 90-day incident breakdown shows that serious property crimes like burglary (3%, 43 incidents) and fraud (4%, 54 incidents) remain low, and the city's affordable housing — with a median home value of $149,093 and median rent of $844 — makes it accessible without the crime pressures that can accompany economic hardship. For families, retirees, and young professionals alike, Kaukauna's data-backed safety profile and small-town character along the Fox River make it one of the more attractive residential options in northeastern Wisconsin.