Exercise Increased Caution
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Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
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Is Madison safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Madison scores 78/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Madison is a safe city for travelers, with low risks for most common tourist concerns. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Madison 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 8 September 2026
78
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~84% of countries
What drives this score
Crime72/100GoodHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment70/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health77Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
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 2026-08-18T09:29:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-07T14:25:33.9726563-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Generally Positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
280k residents
81
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile overall violent crime is moderate, robbery risk can be higher in specific neighborhoods and during large public events.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded areas, especially during events or in busy downtown districts.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
70/100
Reported feel75Generally Positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Traveler sentiment suggests Madison is largely safe, with some sources calling it one of the safest cities in America, though others note crime disparities between neighborhoods.
Yes — Madison is a safe city for travelers, with low risks for most common tourist concerns.
Madison generally scores well on safety indices, with low rates of sexual violence and good air quality. While violent and property crime rates are present, they are comparable to national averages for US cities of its size. Travelers should be aware of specific areas with higher crime rates and exercise caution during large public events.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Police cleared a protest encampment at an intersection following a police shooting, resulting in 16 arrests.— WMTV 15 NEWS
- Jul 2026A police officer fatally shot a man on a street near the state Capitol, leading to protests.— ABC7 New York
- Aug 2026An escaped prisoner from Madison Parish was sought by authorities.— facebook.com: TROOP F NEWS RELEASE
Common scams
- Underage drinking and public intoxication enforcement, especially during large events like Halloween or the Mifflin Street Block Party.
- Public urination enforcement, particularly in alleys and corners.
Full briefing
Madison, Wisconsin, is generally a safe destination for travelers. The city's composite safety index is high, indicating a low overall risk profile compared to many other locations. While official advisories suggest exercising increased caution, this is often in the context of broader national or regional advice rather than specific threats within Madison itself.
On the ground, Madison presents a moderate risk for petty crime like pickpocketing, particularly in crowded areas or during large events. Robbery risk is also moderate, with specific neighborhoods identified as having higher crime rates. The dossier indicates that areas like Vera Court and Clarendon Hills are considered among the most dangerous, while Wikivoyage mentions South Madison, Allied Drive, Badger Road, and parts of South Park Street as areas to be cautious in, especially at night. It's advisable to research specific neighborhood safety if venturing outside the main tourist areas.
Recent incidents highlight some localized safety concerns. In July and August 2026, there were reports of police shootings and subsequent protests and encampment clearings, indicating potential for civil unrest in specific areas. Additionally, a prisoner escape in August 2026, though from Madison Parish, serves as a reminder to remain aware of local news. Travelers should also be mindful of the police's strict enforcement of minor offenses, particularly concerning alcohol and public urination, especially during major local events like Halloween and the Mifflin Street Block Party, where hundreds of arrests have been made in the past.
To ensure a safe visit, travelers should maintain situational awareness, especially after dark, and avoid isolated areas. Heeding local advice on neighborhoods to avoid and being particularly cautious during large public gatherings is recommended. While the city has a low rate of sexual violence and good air quality, vigilance against petty theft in busy areas and awareness of potential localized unrest are key to a secure trip.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Madison districts for visitors: 3 safer, 1 needing caution and 4 best avoided. See them plotted on the Madison safety map.
Clarendon HillsavoidCited as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods.
Vera CourtavoidCited as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods.
Allied DriveavoidSpecifically mentioned as an area to avoid at night.
Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood (Britta Drive, Britta Parkway, Helene Parkway)avoidSpecifically mentioned as an area to avoid at night.
South MadisoncautionGenerally considered to have a higher crime rate than other parts of the city.
DowntownsaferGenerally well-populated and lit, but stay aware of surroundings.
University of Wisconsin CampussaferEmergency markers are present; utilize them if needed.
VilassaferCited as a safer neighborhood.
07 · After Dark
Is Madison safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While overall violent crime is moderate, robbery risk can be higher in specific neighborhoods and during large public events.
After dark, be most careful around Clarendon Hills, Vera Court, Allied Drive, Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood (Britta Drive, Britta Parkway, Helene Parkway). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Madison safety FAQ (2026)
Is Madison safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Madison is a safe city for travelers, with low risks for most common tourist concerns. Madison generally scores well on safety indices, with low rates of sexual violence and good air quality. While violent and property crime rates are present, they are comparable to national averages for US cities of its size. Travelers should be aware of specific areas with higher crime rates and exercise caution during large public events. (Assessed 8 September 2026.)
Is Madison safe for women, families and solo travelers?
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.
Which areas of Madison should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Clarendon Hills, Vera Court, Allied Drive, Dunn's Marsh Neighborhood (Britta Drive, Britta Parkway, Helene Parkway) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Madison (2026)?
- Underage drinking and public intoxication enforcement, especially during large events like Halloween or the Mifflin Street Block Party.
- Public urination enforcement, particularly in alleys and corners.
How does Madison compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Madison ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 78/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this madison safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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.
More United States reports
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4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: madison.json (CC BY 4.0).