Shell Lake, WI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Shell Lake Safe?
Yes — Shell Lake is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Shell Lake has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 500.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 500
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
47% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 154
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
64% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Shell Lake Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
27 | -73% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Shell Lake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Shell Lake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Shell Lake zip codes.
Shell Lake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Shell Lake, WI?
Shell Lake, WI has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 500 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 154 chance for property crime. Shell Lake has lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Shell Lake, WI safe to live in?
Shell Lake is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Shell Lake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Shell Lake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Shell Lake is 200.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 500 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 139.9 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 36.2 per 100K (51% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Shell Lake?
The estimated property crime rate in Shell Lake is 650.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 154 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 161.9 per 100K (40% below average); larceny/theft at 375.3 per 100K (73% below average); vehicle theft at 113.3 per 100K (64% below average).
How does Shell Lake crime compare to the national average?
Shell Lake's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (36% below average), while larceny/theft is 73% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Shell Lake has lower crime than 96% of them.
Is Shell Lake safe to visit?
Shell Lake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 64% 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.
How does Shell Lake crime compare to the rest of Wisconsin?
Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. Shell Lake's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Wisconsin city.
What type of crime is most common in Shell Lake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Shell Lake, with an estimated rate of 375.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 73% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (651 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (200 per 100K) in Shell Lake, which is consistent with national trends.