Is Beloit Safe, Pros and cons of living in Beloit

Beloit, Wisconsin, offers a blend of affordability and a strong sense of community, making it an appealing option for those seeking a place to call home. The city is situated in Rock County, providing residents with access to both urban amenities and natural recreational spaces. Beloit’s diverse population and developing economic landscape present a unique environment for individuals and families.

As you consider a move to Beloit, understanding the various facets of life in the city is crucial. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview, covering safety, cost of living, employment opportunities, climate, education, and demographics, to help you make an informed decision about whether Beloit is the right fit for you.

Is it Safe to Live in Beloit?

Crime Rates

The overall crime rate in Beloit is higher than the national average, with statistics indicating a 23% increase compared to national figures (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes are particularly notable, exceeding the national average by 25.8% (as reported by AreaVibes). Conversely, violent crimes in Beloit are only slightly higher than the national average, by 9.1% (as reported by AreaVibes).

When considering personal safety, the chances of becoming a victim of any crime in Beloit are approximately 1 in 39 (as reported by AreaVibes). For violent crimes specifically, the chance is about 1 in 258, while for property crimes, it is about 1 in 46 (as reported by AreaVibes). It’s worth noting that crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood within the city, with some areas being considerably safer than others (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Perception of Safety

Resident perceptions of safety in Beloit are divided. Surveys indicate that while 36% of residents feel a strong sense of security and are comfortable walking alone at night, a larger portion, 64%, express concerns about safety and feel uncomfortable during nighttime hours (as reported by AreaVibes).

Local insights suggest that the northwest part of the city is generally considered the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Understanding these varied perspectives and localized safety data can help in assessing the overall security of Beloit as a place to live.

Cost of Living in Beloit

Overall Affordability

Beloit is generally considered an affordable city, with its overall cost of living being 13% lower than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to housing, which is 38% lower than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

The cost of living in Beloit is also 6% lower than the U.S. national average, making it one of the more budget-friendly cities in America (as reported by Salary.com). This lower cost of living is a significant draw for individuals and families looking to stretch their budgets further.

Housing Costs

Housing is a major contributor to Beloit’s affordability. The median home price in Beloit is approximately $183,000 (as reported by Redfin). This figure is considerably lower than the national median, making homeownership more accessible.

Rental prices in Beloit are also competitive. The average rent for an apartment is around $1,260 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). Specifically, a one-bedroom apartment averages about $1,260 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment is around $1,271 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Utilities and Groceries

Utility costs in Beloit are slightly lower than the national average, with a utilities index that is 0.2% lower (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Food expenses, however, tend to be slightly above the national average, running about 2.4% higher monthly (as reported by Salary.com).

Transportation and healthcare costs are both noted as being lower than the national average in Beloit (as reported by Salary.com). These varied cost components contribute to the overall financial picture of living in the city.

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Beloit’s economy is supported by a diverse range of major employers. Key companies include Regal Beloit, a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical solutions (as reported by Zippia). Other significant employers include Fairbanks Morse, Community Health Systems, Kerry Ingredients, and Lyons Magnus (as reported by PayScale).

Additional important employers in the area are ABC Supply Co. Inc., a leading distributor of roofing and building products, and Campbell’s Snack Foods plant (as reported by This Is Beloit). These companies contribute substantially to the local job market and economic stability.

Average Salary and Unemployment

The average annual salary in Beloit is approximately $52,653, which translates to about $25.31 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Salaries in Beloit typically range between $34,360 and $66,415 annually, depending on the occupation and experience level (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The unemployment rate in Beloit, WI, is currently at 4.70% (as reported by YCharts). While this is higher than the previous month’s rate of 3.50%, it remains lower than the long-term average of 7.54% for the area (as reported by YCharts).

Climate and Weather

Temperatures

Beloit experiences a climate with distinct seasons. The average high temperature throughout the year is approximately 57.5°F, while the average low temperature is around 38.3°F (as reported by World Climate). Summer months bring warm weather, with average high temperatures in July reaching about 83°F (as reported by World Climate).

Winter months are cold, with average high temperatures in January around 29°F and average low temperatures near 13°F (as reported by WeatherWorld.com). The lowest temperature ever recorded in Beloit was -29°F (as reported by NOAA).

Precipitation

The city receives an average of 36.38 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by World Climate). Rainfall is most prevalent during the spring and summer months, with June typically seeing the most precipitation, averaging around 4.85 inches (as reported by Time and Date).

Snowfall is a factor during the winter, with an average of 31 inches of snow per year (as reported by World Climate). December and January tend to be the snowiest months.

Education in Beloit

School District Performance

The Beloit School District serves the city’s student population. For the 2026 school year, the district has 12 public schools serving approximately 5,098 students (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s average testing ranking is 1 out of 10, placing it in the bottom 50% of Wisconsin school districts (as reported by Public School Review).

Proficiency rates in the Beloit School District are notably lower than the state average. The average math proficiency is 12% and reading proficiency is 13%, compared to Wisconsin’s averages of 40% and 38%, respectively (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s graduation rate is 80%, which has decreased over the past five years (as reported by Public School Review).

Notable Schools

Despite the district’s overall ranking, some schools show stronger performance. The Lincoln Academy, a public charter school, demonstrates strong proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Turner Middle School ranks 319 out of 628 Wisconsin middle schools, and Turner High School ranks 259 out of 431 Wisconsin high schools, with higher proficiency rates than the district and state in several subjects (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

However, significant disparities exist within the district. Some schools struggle to meet state standards, and many have low proficiency rates, indicating challenges that need addressing (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Socioeconomic factors may play a role, as schools with higher percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch tend to have lower academic proficiency rates (as reported by Public School Review).

Demographics of Beloit

Population and Diversity

Beloit is home to approximately 36,534 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is diverse, with a significant portion of the residents being White (59.4%), followed by Hispanic (21.0%), and Black (13.9%) (as reported by Census Reporter). A portion of the population also identifies as multiracial (4.9%) (as reported by Census Reporter).

The city’s population is relatively young, with a median age of 33.8 years (as reported by Point2Homes). Children under 15 make up about 21.3% of the population, while those aged 15 to 24 constitute 16% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Household and Citizenship

Beloit has around 13,638 households, with an average of three members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Families make up 57.3% of these households, while the remaining 42.7% are individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes).

Citizenship rates are high, with 90.3% of the population being U.S.-born citizens and an additional 4.2% having gained naturalized citizenship (as reported by Point2Homes). The foreign-born population represents 5.6% of residents (as reported by Point2Homes).