Whitewater, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Whitewater, WI

What is Whitewater's overall crime grade?

Whitewater, WI earns an overall crime grade of B for 2026, meaning it performs better than a significant portion of Wisconsin cities of comparable size. This grade reflects a combination of property crime and violent crime metrics measured against national and state benchmarks. For a college town with a population of approximately 14,762 — and a poverty rate of 33.3%, which is notably higher than the national average — a B grade signals that local law enforcement and community programs are meaningfully keeping crime in check relative to similar socioeconomic profiles.

Is Whitewater safe to live in?

By most measurable indicators, Whitewater is a reasonably safe place to live. Its overall B crime grade puts it in a favorable tier among Wisconsin municipalities. The city's median household income of $36,211 and a poverty rate of 33.3% — driven in part by the large student population at UW-Whitewater — can correlate with elevated property crime risk, yet the overall grade remains solid. Residents near the university campus and the downtown corridor around Main Street benefit from active community policing. Families in quieter residential pockets away from the core commercial zone tend to report fewer incidents. No city is crime-free, but Whitewater's B grade indicates a community where informed residents can live comfortably with reasonable precautions.

What types of crime are most common in Whitewater?

Property crime accounts for the largest share of reported incidents in Whitewater. Theft — including vehicle break-ins and retail theft — is the most frequently documented category, a pattern common in college towns where high foot traffic and transient populations create more opportunity. Vandalism and burglary follow as secondary property crime concerns. Violent crime, including assault and domestic incidents, is tracked closely but represents a smaller proportion of total incidents. Drug-related offenses also appear in the data, particularly in areas with higher student density. The city's B overall grade reflects the fact that while property crime is present, its frequency and severity remain manageable compared to peer cities.

Which neighborhoods in Whitewater are considered safest?

While granular block-by-block data shifts over time, certain areas of Whitewater consistently show lower incident concentrations. Residential neighborhoods situated away from the downtown commercial strip — particularly those near parks and established family housing zones — tend to record fewer property crime reports. The area surrounding the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus benefits from a dual layer of campus security and Whitewater Police Department patrols, which suppresses certain crime categories. Streets in the outer residential rings, farther from the high-traffic zones along Main Street and the downtown corridor, also show comparatively lower activity on the crime map. As always, checking the most current map data is the best way to assess any specific block or street.

How does Whitewater's crime rate compare to other Wisconsin cities?

Whitewater's B crime grade places it above average when benchmarked against Wisconsin cities with similar population sizes and density levels (644 residents per square mile). Cities with higher poverty rates and lower median incomes — Whitewater's median household income sits at $36,211 and median home value at $171,253 — often score in the C or D range, making Whitewater's B a meaningful distinction. Its unemployment rate of 4.6% is near the state average, which correlates with moderate economic stability and helps temper crime drivers. Compared to larger Wisconsin urban centers, Whitewater's crime density per capita is considerably lower, though residents should remain aware that college-town dynamics can create localized spikes during the academic year.

Is Whitewater a good place to buy a home from a safety standpoint?

From a safety perspective, Whitewater's B overall crime grade supports a positive outlook for homebuyers. The median home value of $171,253 combined with a median rent of $783 makes the city one of the more affordable markets in southeastern Wisconsin, and the B safety grade means buyers are not trading security for affordability. Prospective homeowners are advised to use the Whitewater crime map to compare specific streets and zones — properties in lower-density residential areas away from the downtown core and student housing corridors typically show the most favorable crime profiles. The city's poverty rate of 33.3% is a factor worth monitoring over time, as it can influence long-term property crime trends, but the current B grade reflects a stable and livable environment for families and individuals alike.