Appleton, WI Crime Rate & Safety

Appleton, WI has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 449 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Appleton has lower crime than 76% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Appleton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 20 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Ashbury Meadows is one of the safest areas, while Downtown has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Appleton is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Appleton are Ashbury Meadows, Thornbrook Meadows, St. Bernadette Parish / Thompson Center on Lourdes, Windingbrook Watch, and Alicia Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Appleton include Downtown, Historic Central Neighborhood, Old Third Ward, Valley Fair, and Colony Oaks. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Appleton is 222.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 449 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.5 per 100K (31% below average); aggravated assault at 158.9 per 100K (41% below average); robbery at 41.6 per 100K (44% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Appleton is 1,692.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 169.6 per 100K (37% below average); larceny/theft at 1,276.2 per 100K (9% below average); vehicle theft at 246.5 per 100K (23% below average).

Appleton's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% below average), while robbery is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Appleton has lower crime than 76% of them.

Appleton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 8% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Ashbury Meadows, Thornbrook Meadows, St. Bernadette Parish / Thompson Center on Lourdes.

Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. Appleton's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical Wisconsin city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Appleton, with an estimated rate of 1,276.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,692 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (223 per 100K) in Appleton, which is consistent with national trends.