Worst Neighborhoods in Milwaukee, WI | Top 5 Places to Avoid
Moving to Milwaukee and don’t know where to live? Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through all the areas to absolutely avoid. Milwaukee has a bad reputation for being a dangerous city, and yes, the safety here isn’t the best, but that doesn’t mean you should decide against living here altogether.
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Is Milwaukee safe?
The crime in Milwaukee is high, but that doesn’t mean the entire city is plagued. Safety can really vary from block to block. You may be in a known, “good” neighborhood, but the next block is dangerous and vice versa. It’s important to know where to live and where not to live.
Milwaukee is a place where you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Families move here from smaller towns and quickly drop their guard. They forget to lock their doors, valuable items get stolen, or they walk alone at night and become a victim of a crime. It’s an unfortunate reality of Milwaukee, but that doesn’t mean the entire city is dangerous.
What are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Milwaukee?
You can’t pinpoint exact neighborhoods where you should completely avoid because, as mentioned, safety varies from block to block. In the following sections, we’ll go over areas you should completely avoid, especially if you plan on buying a house or renting an apartment in these areas. Don’t be fooled by the low prices; they are priced low for a reason.
West of I-43 and East of I-41
The rule of thumb in Milwaukee is to stay East of I-43 and West of I-41. Yes, there are good neighborhoods in between, for example, Wauwatosa. Generally speaking, the Northern portion of this section between these two interstates should be avoided.
To take things a step further, there is the Milwaukee River, separating the good and bad neighborhoods. Doesn’t that mean one side is entirely bad? No, but it’s something to be aware of. Stay east of the Milwaukee River.
West of the Milwaukee River
In general, the North side of Milwaukee is where the majority of the crime happens, specifically the Northwest. If you go Northeast, you will find some of the best neighborhoods in the entire city. It’s the Milwaukee River that separates the good neighborhood from the bad. The further you go West, the worse it gets until you hit I-41, more on that later.
Avenues that start with West
Whenever you see an avenue starting with West, it’s generally a bad area, not always, but there’s a high chance. Stay on the East side.
Near the University
UW-Milwaukee is located on the safe side (East side) of the Milwaukee River. Its proximity to the river attracts a lot of criminals who cross over the bridge and commit crimes against young students. Whatever you do, if you plan to live near the university, choose a place as far East as possible.
Worst neighborhoods in Milwaukee Reddit
- Hampton Heights– gunshots, drivebys, held up at gunpoint, one of the unsafest areas in the entire city. Affordable for a reason.
- Sherman Park– known for street racing, grand theft auto, so whatever you do, don’t live here, especially if you have a Kia or Hyundai
- Midtown– car break-ins and home invasion
- Washington Park– not the safest neighborhood, but users say people manage to live there without getting killed.
What are the areas to avoid in Milwaukee?
Avoid anything between I-43 and I-41, except Wauwatosa. Stay as far East as possible.
What are the poorest neighborhoods in Milwaukee?
The poorest neighborhoods are those located between I-43 and I-41, specifically on the North side of this area.
What are the most violent zip codes in Milwaukee?
- 53210
- 53206
- 53208
- 53218
Where is the black neighborhood in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee crime map
