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United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Madison scores 82/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Madison is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but moderate pickpocketing in crowded areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
82
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-10T19:41:02.6992267-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging risk is low for visitors; isolated incidents reported near east-side bars after midnight
Pickpocketing
ModerateBag-snatching occurs in crowded areas like State Street and the Farmers' Market on weekends
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Visitors report feeling safe during daytime walks but express caution after dark, particularly in the east side and near student housing areas.
Yes. Madison is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but moderate pickpocketing in crowded areas.
Madison's crime indicators show a homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k and low terrorism risk, though recent protests and police incidents have occurred. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight but less so at night. Property crime is a moderate concern locally.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Madison sees most violent incidents linked to protests and police encounters rather than random violence against visitors. The east side, especially near Williamson Street and student housing, has seen recent protests and police actions that visitors should avoid after dark. Daytime areas like State Street and the Capitol Square remain busy and safe, though pickpocketing can occur during farmers' markets and festivals. Using official transit and staying alert in crowds reduces risk. Visitors consistently report feeling secure during daylight hours but recommend caution at night in specific neighborhoods. No scams targeting tourists are widespread, but fake charity pitches and unlicensed taxis appear occasionally near popular spots. Stick to well-lit, populated areas and verify taxi licenses before riding.
Was this Madison, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Madison districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Madison safety map.
South MadisonavoidHigher property crime reports; limited visitor infrastructure; exercise caution, particularly at night.
Downtown MadisoncautionGenerally safe daytime; increased police presence after July 2026 officer-involved shooting and protests; avoid isolated areas at night.
East Side (near Atwood Avenue)cautionSite of July 2026 police shooting and protests; tension decreased but remain alert, especially after dark.
North Side (near Sherman Avenue)cautionMixed-use area with occasional theft reports; daytime safe, avoid poorly lit streets at night.
State StreetsaferPedestrian-friendly shopping/dining corridor; well-lit and patrolled; pickpocketing possible in crowds.
University of Wisconsin–Madison CampussaferActive campus security; low violent crime; exercise usual precautions with belongings.
Williamson-Marquette NeighborhoodsaferResidential area with low crime rates; popular with visitors; standard night-time awareness advised.
West Side (near Mineral Point Road)saferQuiet residential and commercial zone; low incident reports; standard safety precautions sufficient.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging risk is low for visitors; isolated incidents reported near east-side bars after midnight
After dark, be most careful around South Madison, Downtown Madison, East Side (near Atwood Avenue), North Side (near Sherman Avenue). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Madison is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but moderate pickpocketing in crowded areas. Madison's crime indicators show a homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k and low terrorism risk, though recent protests and police incidents have occurred. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight but less so at night. Property crime is a moderate concern locally. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Madison report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags South Madison as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Madison ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 82/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: madison.json (CC BY 4.0).
