South Milwaukee, WI Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: A-

Lower crime than 85% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026

46%
Below Avg Crime
1 in 441
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 78
Property Crime Risk

Is South Milwaukee Safe?

Yes — South Milwaukee is safe overall

A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.

South Milwaukee has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 441.

Crime Index Comparison

South Milwaukee
54
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

Violent Crime

1 in 441

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

40% lower than national average

Property Crime

1 in 78

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

30% lower than national average

Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?

South Milwaukee Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Robbery · 22% below avg
Lowest Risk
Assault · 48% below avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
64 -36% Low
Assault
52 -48% Low
Robbery
78 -22% Low
Rape
77 -23% Low
Property Crime
Burglary
73 -27% Low
Larceny / Theft
65 -35% Low
Vehicle Theft
55 -45% Low

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

South Milwaukee Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

South Milwaukee Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific South Milwaukee zip codes.

South Milwaukee Demographics & Context

Population
20,857
Median Income
$57,286
Home Value
$166,024
Median Rent
$880
Ownership
59%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 9.7%
White 88%
Black 2.5%
Asian 1.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in South Milwaukee, WI?

South Milwaukee, WI has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 441 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 78 chance for property crime. South Milwaukee has lower crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is South Milwaukee, WI safe to live in?

South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in South Milwaukee?

The estimated violent crime rate in South Milwaukee is 227.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 40% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 441 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 140.5 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 57.4 per 100K (22% below average).

What is the property crime rate in South Milwaukee?

The estimated property crime rate in South Milwaukee is 1,279.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 78 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 197.2 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 906.7 per 100K (35% below average); vehicle theft at 175.3 per 100K (45% below average).

How does South Milwaukee crime compare to the national average?

South Milwaukee's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (22% below average), while assault is 48% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, South Milwaukee has lower crime than 85% of them.

Is South Milwaukee safe to visit?

South Milwaukee is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 30% 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 South Milwaukee crime compare to the rest of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin as a whole has crime that is 4% above the national average. South Milwaukee's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Wisconsin city.

What type of crime is most common in South Milwaukee?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in South Milwaukee, with an estimated rate of 906.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 35% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,279 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (227 per 100K) in South Milwaukee, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State