Is Fort Atkinson Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, is a small town with a rich history and a scenic location along the Rock River.

It takes its name from the 19th-century military fort established here in 1832 during the Black Hawk War, named after General Henry Atkinson, who led U.S. forces in the conflict.

Though the fort itself no longer stands, the town celebrates its roots with museums and monuments, offering visitors a sense of connection to Wisconsin’s early frontier days.

Fort Atkinson is located near Lake Koshkonong, a shallow lake popular for fishing and boating, providing a natural escape just outside the town of 12,500 people.

The town is also within an hour’s drive of Milwaukee, making it easily accessible for a quick day trip or weekend getaway.

One trip can embrace the urban culture, small-town comfort, and a wealth of natural resources.

The famous Fireside Theatre offers a unique activity compared to other small Wisconsin towns, mixing Midwestern dining with Broadway-style shows.

Throughout the year, the town hosts seasonal events like farmer’s markets and holiday festivities, which bring the community together and welcome travelers.

Combined with local dining and cozy accommodations, Fort Atkinson offers a quiet but engaging experience for those interested in history, nature, and a taste of Midwest hospitality.

Warnings & Dangers in Fort Atkinson

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Fort Atkinson, but not a whole lot to do. You'll need to like the great outdoors and enjoy the slower speed of a small town.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

With no bus system in town, you'll rely on taxis and shared rides from the local service, Brown Cab Taxi. Having a rental car is really your best option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Five pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported over the past three years, with just one in 2023, giving this a low risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Treat it as a medium risk due to the potential for severe or disruptive weather throughout the year. Several thunderstorms can bring high winds, tornadoes, damaging hail, and intense lightning - all bad for outdoor activities. Flooding on the river and lake is another concern. Winter can bring blizzards with bone-chilling temperatures, blinding snow, and ice storms. Most risks here will come with some degree of warning.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Only three robberies were reported since 2020, as of late 2024. The risk is low, as only one robbery in that period fell into the same category as muggings.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

While the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency website has a section about terrorism, it's mostly for informational purposes since the risk is low here. It's a small town that doesn't even have a big box store, much less a hard target.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local police department and sheriff’s office social media sites for the latest scams. That will help keep the risk low. The most recent scams target residents, and you can also see a list of the most common scams on the Federal Trade Commission website.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Given how low the risk is of a stranger being the victim of violent crime, women should have no concerns about visiting Fort Atkinson.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for Fort Atkinson shows full compliance, but some past violations will be remedied when an infrastructure plan is completed in 2026.

Safest Places to Visit in Fort Atkinson

The local tourism council runs the website explorefortatkinson.com.

The city’s website also has a list of parks on its website.

One of the must-see spots in the city is the Fireside Theatre, which has been a tourist draw for 60 years.

Huge feasts are served up before Broadway-style shows throughout the year, with options to just visit for the dining experience.

The Hoard Historical Museum offers exhibits on Fort Atkinson’s past, including artifacts from the Black Hawk War.

Be sure to enjoy the five outdoor gardens if the weather is nice.

I would suggest visiting the museum before heading to Jefferson County Indian Mounds Park and Trail or the Effigy Mounds Preserve nearby.

You’ll get a great dose of backstory to appreciate what you’ll see at the sites.

The Panther Intaglio is an ancient Native American earthwork shaped like a large panther.

Created around 1,000 years ago, it’s one of the few surviving effigy mounds.

Explore more of Wisconsin’s outdoors, starting in Fort Atkinson and traveling in any direction.

Dorothy Carnes County Park covers more than 400 acres of woodlands, prairies, and marshes, complemented by scenic hiking trails and lake views.

Roser Lake State Natural Area is within that protected landscape and features diverse wetland ecosystems.

Known for its birdwatching opportunities, it’s a quiet spot for enjoying Wisconsin’s natural beauty.

You can also bookmark those parks as a place for winter snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Lake Koshkonong’s shallow, expansive lake water makes it a perfect place for birding, boating, fishing, and water sports.

With several public access points, the lake attracts anglers for its bass, walleye, and panfish.

The lake boundary isn’t highly commercialized, but there are several small towns nearby to explore.

One example is in Edgarton, home of American author Sterling North.

You might have read his 1963 book Rascal.

Places to Avoid in Fort Atkinson

Fort Atkinson doesn’t have any bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

It’s also a tight-knit community, so any trouble will be immediately reported to the police.

It’s also worth noting that Fort Atkinson isn’t a lakeside city.

Due to the marshy landscape and flooding risks, the city is about eight miles away.

Since there are several other small towns in America named Fort Atkinson, you should remember to always look for the state listing, noting the 53538 zip code and 928 area code.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Fort Atkinson

Despite its small size, Fort Atkinson does have a local police department. The non-emergency number is 920-397-9905 if you want to call and ask safety questions. They also have a YouTube page @@fapd3276. Follow the city’s Facebook @fortatkinsonwi to get local updates from the police.
Another Facebook page to follow is @FORTOEM, which is for the Fort Atkinson Office of Emergency Management. I’d go ahead and follow the Jefferson County Emergency Management office as well, since they post more often. That Facebook page is @JeffersonCountyWI.Gov.
Alternate side parking goes into effect annually from December 1 through March 15. That affects which side of the street you can park on. In addition, no parking is allowed overnight, between the hours of 2 am and 6 am.
If more than two inches of snow falls, then consider street parking off-limits. This is to allow the snow plows to get through. You can be ticketed or towed if you’re parking on the street during a snow emergency.
Check the details of the city curfew if you’re bringing children under the age of 17. There are specific rules for children under 13. Overall, it’s best to have your kids under your supervision after 10 pm and through 5 am the next morning.
Another ordinance to review for safety and planning purposes is the e-bike information. Certain paths in the city don’t allow e-bikes, even where traditional bicycles are permitted. Also, you must have a license to ride an e-bike.
If you’re planning to visit Lake Koshkonong, you should know it’s highly prone to harmful algae blooms in warm weather. You can check the latest water quality reports on the Rock County Health Department’s website, but also review the telltale signs of algae blooms so you can avoid dangerous bacteria.
Visit the city’s Citizen Request Center to report issues like potholes or storm damage. You do have to give your name and contact information, but you can choose how you’d like to be contacted and leave a note if you wish to remain anonymous.
Especially in the spring, learn the difference between a tornado watch, a tornado warning, and a tornado emergency. While Wisconsin might seem far away from the traditional “Tornado Alley,” the storms can sure pack a punch up north, too.
Fishing requires a license from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. You can purchase them online, which is ideal because a small town like Fort Atkinson might not have a retailer that sells them.

So... How Safe Is Fort Atkinson Really?

Crime is not a big concern in Fort Atkinson, especially compared to the much larger Milwaukee nearby.

Fort Atkinson’s violent crime rate is 15% lower than the state average and 37% below the national average.

In addition, only 15% of victims of violent crime were unknown to their assailant over the past three years.

Even theft rates are 40% lower than the national average, with less than two a week (on average) in 2023.

Nearly a third of those were shoplifting.

One car was stolen in 2023.

No homicides or robberies happened throughout the year.

The police chief spoke about why crime rates are so low, even at a time when violent crime and juvenile crime surged nationwide.

“We are way different from most communities.

Around here, we have a very strong connection with our community.

There is a teamwork atmosphere.

Not every community has that.

This is a unique community that really focuses on all aspects of the community, including law enforcement,” Fort Atkinson Police Chief Adrian Bump told the local newspaper in 2022.

Fort Atkinson is a safe and quaint community in Wisconsin. It just might not be as exciting as you’d prefer.

If you want to escape to a small town for a few days, it’s a perfect choice for that.

How Does Fort Atkinson Compare?

City	Safety Index
Fort Atkinson	86
Atlanta	58
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You can also download the CBP One mobile app for help on the go. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

The weather is pretty standard across Wisconsin, and Fort Atkinson is no different. Winters are cold (sometimes painfully so), and the city gets about three feet of snow a year. Summers get into the 80s (F) and expect humidity with that temperature. That means being prepared with bug spray and light, breathable fabrics to wear. Fall and spring can have fluctuating temperatures. I'd recommend bringing a jacket and several layered options of clothing.

Airports

The largest airport nearby is General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, which is about an hour away. Madison's Dade County Regional Airport is about 35 miles from Fort Atkinson. Even flying out of Chicago's O'Hare isn't that much of a drive. You can get there in 90 minutes.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Fort Atkinson Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -8° C

Feb -6° C

Mar 2° C

Apr 8° C

May 15° C

Jun 20° C

Jul 22° C

Aug 21° C

Sep 17° C

Oct 10° C

Nov 3° C

Dec -4° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	-3	-1	7	14	21	26	28	27	23	16	8	1
Low °C	-12	-11	-4	2	8	14	16	15	10	4	-2	-8
High °F	27	30	45	57	70	79	82	81	73	61	46	34
Low °F	10	12	25	36	46	57	61	59	50	39	28	18

Wisconsin - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Apostle Islands	78
Appleton	83
Baraboo	82
Bayfield	78
Beloit	60
Cedarburg	79
Eau Claire	77
Fond du Lac	64
Fort Atkinson	86
Green Bay	81
Janesville	81
Kenosha	74
Lake Geneva	82
Madison	77
Milwaukee	34
Minocqua	84
New Glarus	83
Oshkosh	83
Platteville	85
Prairie du Chien	80
Racine	70
Sheboygan	80
Sturgeon Bay	83
Sun Prairie	84
Superior	82
Tomah	83
Waukesha	83
Wausau	68
Whitewater	85
Wisconsin Dells	85

Is Fort Atkinson Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Wisconsin : Safety by City