Crime by type
Milwaukee Crime by Type
A breakdown of the offenses that shape Milwaukee's crime picture, from the everyday to the rare.
Overview
What drives crime in Milwaukee
Not every category behaves the same way across the city. Some, like vehicle theft, have become genuinely citywide problems, while others stay tightly clustered in specific corridors. The notes below describe how each type tends to show up in Milwaukee.
By category
Rates and odds by crime type
Estimated annual rate per 100,000 residents and your everyday odds, with risk level relative to the U.S. average.
| Offense | Per 100k/yr | Annual odds | vs. U.S. | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft / Larceny | 2,123 | 1 in 47 | +51% | Moderate |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 479 | 1 in 209 | +50% | Moderate |
| Burglary | 348 | 1 in 288 | +29% | Moderate |
| Aggravated Assault | 317 | 1 in 316 | +18% | Average |
| Robbery | 91 | 1 in 1,102 | +23% | Moderate |
| Rape | 41 | 1 in 2,423 | +23% | Moderate |
| Homicide | 7 | 1 in 14,710 | +36% | Moderate |
Drill down
What's actually reported in Milwaukee
The most common specific offenses behind each category, from reported incident descriptions.
Assault 9,747 reports
Theft 6,167 reports
Motor Vehicle Theft 4,648 reports
Vandalism 3,109 reports
Shooting 2,669 reports
Burglary 1,680 reports
Detail
Crime types in Milwaukee, explained
Motor Vehicle Theft
Auto theft has exploded in Milwaukee over the past several years, fueled by viral methods targeting certain Kia and Hyundai models, and it now reaches nearly every neighborhood, not just high-crime pockets.
Theft / Larceny
Theft from vehicles and shoplifting are the most common property offenses, concentrating around commercial strips, mall parking lots, and busy retail corridors.
Burglary
Residential and commercial break-ins cluster in disinvested north and near-south side neighborhoods, though vacant and foreclosed properties draw incidents citywide.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assaults, many involving firearms, are among the most serious recurring problems and concentrate in a few north side and near-south side districts.
Robbery
Street and business robberies tend to follow foot traffic and transit lines, with clusters near commercial corners and after-hours nightlife areas.
Homicide
Homicides remain rare relative to overall crime but are heavily concentrated in specific north side neighborhoods, and most are linked to gun violence.