Sun Prairie, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Prairie, WI Crime & Safety

Is Sun Prairie, WI safe to live in?

Sun Prairie ranks as one of the safest mid-sized cities in Wisconsin. Of the 42 neighborhoods analyzed on the Sun Prairie crime map, 97.6% earned a Grade A and the remaining 2.4% — a single neighborhood — earned a Grade B. That means 100% of Sun Prairie neighborhoods fall into the safe category (A or B), with zero neighborhoods graded C, D, or F. The city holds an overall crime grade of A- and a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A). For context, the city's unemployment rate sits at just 1.5% and the poverty rate is 6.5% — both well below national averages — which correlates strongly with its low crime environment.

What is the crime rate in Sun Prairie compared to other cities?

Sun Prairie's overall crime grade of A- places it firmly in the "Very Safe" tier. Across all 42 neighborhoods studied, 41 neighborhoods (97.6%) received a Grade A, and only one neighborhood — Emerald Terrace — received a Grade B+, which is still considered a safe rating. No neighborhood in Sun Prairie scored below a B. To put that in perspective, many comparable Wisconsin cities have meaningful percentages of C- or D-rated neighborhoods. Sun Prairie's median household income of $79,566 and a median home value of $249,717 reflect a stable, economically healthy community where low crime rates tend to persist.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Sun Prairie?

Ten neighborhoods in Sun Prairie earned the top possible rating of Grade A+. Here is a data snapshot of the highest-ranked areas:

• Stonehaven Terrace — Grade A+, median income $115,164
• Shonas Highlands — Grade A+, median income $117,622, population 711
• Prairie Ridge — Grade A+, median income $115,164
• Ridge Crest — Grade A+, median income $117,635
• Hickory Grove Estates — Grade A+, median income $117,635, population 626
• Liberty Square — Grade A+, median income $117,635, population 549
• Stoneridge Estates — Grade A+, median income $115,192
• Creek View Crossing — Grade A+, median income $115,170
• Prairie Athletic Club — Grade A+, median income $115,196
• Memorial Heights — Grade A+, median income $87,400

Notably, the A+ neighborhoods with the largest populations — Shonas Highlands (711 residents), Hickory Grove Estates (626), and Liberty Square (549) — demonstrate that Sun Prairie's safest areas aren't just small enclaves; they are substantial, well-established communities.

Which Sun Prairie neighborhoods have higher crime levels?

Even Sun Prairie's highest-crime neighborhood remains a safe area by most standards. Emerald Terrace holds a Grade B+, which is the only neighborhood in the city to fall below a straight A rating. Other neighborhoods sometimes noted for slightly elevated activity relative to the city average — including Smith's Crossing, Village View Heights, Renstone West, and Prairie Enterprises — all still carry Grade A ratings. In a city where 97.6% of neighborhoods are Grade A and 100% are Grade B or better, the concept of a "high crime" neighborhood is relative: even the lowest-rated area in Sun Prairie would be considered safe in many other cities.

Is Sun Prairie a good place to raise a family?

The data strongly supports Sun Prairie as a family-friendly community. With 100% of its 42 neighborhoods rated Grade A or B for safety, families can choose from virtually any part of the city with confidence. The median household income of $79,566, a low poverty rate of 6.5%, and an unemployment rate of just 1.5% point to a financially stable population. The median home value of $249,717 and median rent of $1,131 offer accessible entry points compared to larger metro areas. Neighborhoods like Hickory Grove Estates, Liberty Square, and Shonas Highlands — all Grade A+ with median incomes above $117,000 — are particularly popular with families seeking top-tier safety alongside community amenities.

How does Sun Prairie's poverty rate affect its crime levels?

Sun Prairie's poverty rate of 6.5% is well below the national average, and this is reflected directly in its crime grades. Research consistently links lower poverty rates to reduced crime, and Sun Prairie's grade distribution bears that out: 41 of 42 neighborhoods (97.6%) earned a Grade A, with the single outlier still earning a B+. The city's strong economic fundamentals — a median household income of $79,566, a 1.5% unemployment rate, and a median home value of nearly $250,000 — create conditions that support long-term public safety. Even in areas like Emerald Terrace, which carries the city's lone B+ grade, the neighborhood remains well within safe parameters.

How can I use the Sun Prairie crime map effectively?

The Sun Prairie crime map lets you filter incidents by type, date range, and neighborhood to spot patterns over time. Given that 97.6% of Sun Prairie's neighborhoods are Grade A, most users will find the map confirms what the data already shows — this is a very safe city. That said, the map is most useful for identifying micro-trends within the small subset of neighborhoods carrying slightly lower grades, such as Emerald Terrace (B+) or the Grade A areas bordering it like Smith's Crossing and Village View Heights. For the most accurate picture, cross-reference the interactive crime map with the official Sun Prairie Police Department crime statistics page, which publishes verified incident data.