Onalaska, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Onalaska, WI

Is Onalaska, WI safe?

Onalaska earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it among the safest communities in Wisconsin and well above national benchmarks. The city's combination of a low poverty rate of 4.5%, an unemployment rate of just 3.9%, and a median household income of $66,295 creates stable economic conditions that are strongly correlated with lower crime. Neighborhoods near West Onalaska and along the La Crosse River corridor consistently show minimal reported incident activity on the crime map. While no community is entirely without crime, residents and visitors can go about daily routines — hiking the bluffs, visiting Myrick Park, or shopping along the commercial corridor — with a high degree of confidence in their personal safety.

What is the crime rate in Onalaska, WI?

Onalaska's overall crime performance receives an A grade, reflecting crime rates that are substantially lower than both Wisconsin state averages and U.S. national averages. With a population of approximately 18,814 spread across a density of 699 residents per square mile, the city is compact enough for effective law enforcement coverage without the congestion that often drives up crime in larger metros. Property crimes — including theft and vehicle break-ins — represent the most common incident category, and these are concentrated primarily in commercial zones rather than residential neighborhoods. Violent crime incidents are comparatively rare. The city's low poverty rate of 4.5% is particularly notable, as poverty rates below 10% are consistently linked to stronger public safety outcomes in communities of similar size.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Onalaska, WI?

Given Onalaska's city-wide A crime grade, the vast majority of its neighborhoods qualify as safe by any reasonable measure. That said, residential areas in West Onalaska tend to attract families seeking quiet, low-traffic streets and well-maintained properties. Neighborhoods near the Mississippi River greenway and those adjacent to Myrick Park benefit from high community engagement and regular recreational foot traffic, both of which are natural deterrents to opportunistic crime. Commercial corridors — particularly along Highway 16 — account for a disproportionate share of reported property incidents simply due to higher foot and vehicle traffic volumes. If you're evaluating where to rent or buy, Onalaska's median rent of $879 and median home value of $208,430 make even its most desirable, lowest-incident neighborhoods financially accessible compared to peer cities in the region.

Is Onalaska, WI a good place to live?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Onalaska ranks as an excellent place to live. The city holds an A overall crime grade, meaning safety is a genuine strength rather than just a marketing claim. Economically, a median household income of $66,295 combined with a median home value of $208,430 produces a favorable income-to-housing-cost ratio, and the 3.9% unemployment rate signals a resilient local job market. The poverty rate of 4.5% — well below the national average of roughly 12% — reflects broad economic participation across the community. Add in access to Mississippi River recreation, strong school options, and a population of under 19,000 that keeps the city genuinely small-town in character, and Onalaska consistently scores well for families, retirees, remote workers, and young professionals looking for quality of life without big-city crime or cost-of-living pressures.

How does Onalaska's crime compare to other Wisconsin cities?

Onalaska's A crime grade positions it favorably against most Wisconsin municipalities, including larger neighbors. Cities with higher population densities and higher poverty rates typically carry C or D grades, making Onalaska's performance stand out. Key drivers of this advantage include a poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in the La Crosse metro area — and an unemployment rate of 3.9%, both of which are strongly predictive of lower property and violent crime rates. The city's population density of 699 per square mile is low enough to avoid the anonymity that enables crime in denser urban cores, yet high enough to support active neighborhood watch programs and a visible police presence. For anyone comparing communities in western Wisconsin, Onalaska's data profile makes it a benchmark for small-city safety.