Stevens Point, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Stevens Point, WI

Is Stevens Point, WI safe?

Stevens Point earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safer small cities in Wisconsin. With a population of roughly 26,144 and a population density of just 588 people per square mile, the city avoids the concentrated crime pressures common in denser urban areas. The A- grade reflects a crime environment that is meaningfully better than the national average, though no city is entirely without incidents. Property crimes — including vehicle theft and shoplifting — account for the majority of reported offenses, while violent crime rates remain low relative to comparable Midwestern cities. Residents near the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point campus and in the west-side neighborhoods consistently report feeling safe, and the city's active neighborhood watch programs and community policing efforts reinforce that sense of security.

What is the crime rate in Stevens Point?

Stevens Point's overall crime performance earns an A- letter grade, indicating that crime rates here are well below what you'd expect for a city of its size and demographic profile. The city's 19.3% poverty rate and 4.6% unemployment rate are factors that criminologists often associate with elevated property crime, yet Stevens Point's community programs and university presence appear to help offset those pressures. Property crimes — such as burglary, motor vehicle theft, and larceny — make up the dominant share of reported incidents, as is typical for small Midwestern cities. Violent offenses, including assault, represent a much smaller slice of the total crime picture. Compared to Wisconsin's larger metros, Stevens Point's crime burden is substantially lighter, and the A- grade reflects that advantage clearly.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Stevens Point?

Stevens Point's overall A- crime grade suggests that safety is broadly distributed across the city rather than isolated to a single enclave. That said, areas on the west side of town — including neighborhoods near SentryWorld Golf Course and the College Avenue corridor — are frequently cited by residents as particularly quiet and low-incident. The neighborhoods immediately surrounding the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point benefit from a high degree of foot traffic, campus security, and community vigilance, which tends to deter opportunistic property crime. The historic downtown district has seen sustained investment in lighting and community programming, contributing to a safer pedestrian environment. For the most current, block-level picture, the interactive crime map on this page lets you filter by incident type and date so you can evaluate any specific street or zone in real time.

Is Stevens Point a good place to live?

By most measurable indicators, Stevens Point offers a compelling value proposition for residents. The median home value sits at $150,502 — well below the national median — while median rent averages just $764 per month, making housing costs accessible for a wide range of budgets. The median household income of $46,663 and an unemployment rate of 4.6% suggest a functioning local economy with reasonable job availability. The city's A- overall crime grade adds meaningfully to its livability score: residents are not paying a safety premium the way households in higher-crime cities often do. The 19.3% poverty rate is a genuine challenge the community continues to address through social services and university-linked economic programs. On balance, Stevens Point combines affordability, outdoor recreation along the Wisconsin River, a strong arts and culture scene, and above-average public safety — a combination that makes it especially attractive for families, university students, and professionals seeking a lower-cost Midwestern lifestyle without sacrificing quality of life.

How does Stevens Point's crime grade compare to other Wisconsin cities?

Stevens Point's A- overall crime grade positions it favorably within Wisconsin's city landscape. Larger metros in the state tend to carry lower grades due to higher population density, greater economic inequality, and more complex policing challenges. For a city with a 19.3% poverty rate — a figure that typically correlates with elevated crime — achieving an A- grade is a notable outcome, suggesting that community cohesion, active law enforcement, and the stabilizing influence of the university all play meaningful roles. Residents comparing cities for relocation purposes can use this grade as a reliable, apples-to-apples benchmark: an A- means Stevens Point outperforms the majority of similarly sized U.S. cities on combined property and violent crime metrics.