Is Greendale Safe, Pros and cons of living in Greendale
Greendale, a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and community engagement. Established as a planned community during the Great Depression, it retains a unique character rooted in its historical design principles. The village provides a stable environment for residents, with a focus on community events and green spaces.
The population of Greendale is approximately 14,600, with a median age of around 41.4 years (as reported by Data USA and Census Reporter). The community is predominantly White, with significant Hispanic and Asian populations also residing in the area. Greendale is part of the larger Milwaukee metropolitan area, offering residents access to the amenities and opportunities of a major city while maintaining a distinct village feel.
Is it Safe to Live in Greendale?
Greendale is generally considered a safe place to live. The total crime rate in Greendale is 52% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This translates to an average of 0.41 daily crimes, with a very low incidence of violent incidents.
Violent crime rates in Greendale are exceptionally low, with only 83 incidents per 100,000 individuals, which is 77% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The village has recorded zero homicides in recent reported years, contributing to a profound sense of safety within the community (as reported by AreaVibes).
Violent Crime
Violent crime in Greendale is significantly below the national average. The violent crime rate is 2.014 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents generally consider the south and west parts of the city to be the safest areas.
The chance of being a victim of violent crime varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 359 in the north to 1 in 596 in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of violent crime per resident is $107 per year, which is substantially less than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Property Crime
Property crime rates in Greendale are also lower than the national average. There were 136 property crimes recorded, amounting to 940 per 100,000 residents, which is 46.6% lower than the average (as reported by AreaVibes). The north parts of Greendale experience the most incidents, with approximately 126 per year.
The chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Greendale is about 1 in 94 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Larceny and burglary are the most common property crimes, with vehicle theft and arson occurring at very low rates (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
Cost of Living in Greendale
The overall cost of living in Greendale is approximately 4% less than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). However, some specific categories, like housing, can be higher than the national average.
Housing expenses in Greendale are about 9% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices, however, are 7% lower than the national average, and transportation costs are only 1% higher (as reported by Payscale).
Housing Costs
The median home value in Greendale was approximately $370,000 as of March 2026 (as reported by Redfin). Home prices have seen a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Homes in Greendale tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 29 days on the market.
Rental prices in Greendale are also competitive. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,135 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment averages about $1,310 per month (as reported by Rentable). These figures are generally lower than the national average for similar rental properties.
Average Salary and Income
The median household income in Greendale is approximately $94,769 (as reported by Greendale, Wisconsin Population 2026). The average annual salary for residents is around $44,957, with most salaries ranging between $32,178 and $54,311 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
When considering the cost of living, a comfortable monthly rent of $1,308 would require an annual income of about $52,320 (as reported by Apartments.com). This suggests that many residents’ incomes align well with the local rental market.
Job Market and Major Employers
Greendale’s economy is diverse, with key industries including Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). The largest job groups for residents are in Management Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations.
While specific major employers are not explicitly detailed in the search results, the presence of industries like healthcare and manufacturing indicates a range of employment opportunities. Companies such as Walmart, McDonald’s, and Ulta Beauty are present in the area, contributing to the local job market (as reported by Indeed.com).
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Greendale is low, standing at 1.4% (as reported by Niche). This figure is significantly lower than the national average, indicating a strong job market and readily available employment for residents.
The labor force in Greendale is substantial, with a reported count of 464,770 individuals (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). The upward mobility rate, a measure of economic outcome for children from below-median income families, is 36.1%.
Climate in Greendale
Greendale experiences a climate with distinct seasons, characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The average annual temperature ranges from about 16°F in January to 81°F in July (as reported by Greendale Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature). The village experiences significant seasonal variation in rainfall and snowfall.
Annual precipitation averages around 37 inches, with June being the wettest month (as reported by Greendale Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature). Snowfall averages about 46 inches annually, with the snowiest periods typically occurring in the winter months (as reported by Greendale, WI Climate). The humidity is generally comfortable during the summer months.
Temperatures
Summers in Greendale are warm, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 81°F and a low of 64°F (as reported by Greendale Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature). Winters are cold and windy, with January experiencing average lows of 17°F and highs of 29°F.
The village has approximately 153 days per year with comfortable weather, generally between mid-May and September (as reported by Greendale, WI Climate). The temperature rarely drops below -3°F or exceeds 90°F.
Rainfall
Greendale receives an average of 37 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by Greendale, WI Climate). Rain falls throughout the year, with the highest amount typically occurring in June, averaging 3.6 inches.
The chance of wet days is higher from late March to mid-October, with June having the most days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The drier season spans from mid-October to late March, with February having the fewest wet days.
School Ratings and Education
Greendale is served by the Greendale School District, which consistently receives high ratings. The district ranks in the top 20% of all school districts in Wisconsin for overall performance, achievement, and growth (as reported by Greendale School District). Several schools within the district have earned “Exceeds Expectations” ratings from the state.
Greendale High School is particularly noted for its academic excellence, ranking among the top high schools in Wisconsin. It boasts exceptional test scores, a high graduation rate, and a low dropout rate, preparing students well for higher education or future careers (as reported by Greendale Schools Exceeds Expectations on State Report Cards and Greendale High School).
District Performance
The Greendale School District is recognized for its strong academic outcomes. Students in Greendale schools outperform their peers in growth across various demographic groups, and the district is actively closing achievement gaps (as reported by Greendale Schools Exceeds Expectations on State Report Cards). The district has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, with 196 teachers serving approximately 2,609 students (as reported by Greendale School District).
Overall, Greendale School District is ranked among the best school districts in Wisconsin, with high proficiency scores in math and reading. The district also ranks highly for diversity, with minority enrollment being slightly less than the state average (as reported by Greendale School District).
Specific School Highlights
Canterbury Elementary and College Park Elementary schools have earned “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” ratings, while Greendale Middle School and Greendale High School have received “Exceeds Expectations” ratings (as reported by Greendale Schools Exceeds Expectations on State Report Cards). Greendale High School has an average GPA of 3.44, a graduation rate of 95%, and strong standardized test scores, including an average SAT score of 1310 (as reported by Greendale High School).
These strong performances indicate a commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students within the Greendale community. The schools consistently rank well within the state for various academic and performance metrics.
Demographics
Greendale’s population is approximately 14,600, with a median age of 41.4 years (as reported by Data USA). The village is predominantly White, making up about 79.5% of the population, with Hispanic residents constituting about 11.3% (as reported by Greendale, WI Demographics). The community has become more racially diverse since the 2020 census.
The gender makeup of Greendale is nearly balanced, with slightly more females than males. For every 100 females, there are approximately 91.9 males (as reported by Greendale, Wisconsin Population 2026). The village has a citizenship rate of 97.6%, which is higher than the national average.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
The racial composition of Greendale includes a significant White majority, with smaller but notable Hispanic, Asian, and Multiracial populations (as reported by Greendale, WI Demographics). While the White population has seen a slight decline in its share, the Hispanic population has grown considerably.
Greendale is less diverse than Wisconsin overall, according to the diversity index (as reported by Greendale, WI Demographics). However, the village is more diverse than some of its neighboring communities in terms of its Hispanic population.
Age and Gender Distribution
The median age in Greendale is 41.4 years, indicating a population that is mature and established (as reported by Greendale, Wisconsin Population 2026). The age distribution shows a significant portion of residents aged 65 and older, as well as those under 18.
The gender distribution is relatively even, with a slightly higher percentage of females. This demographic balance contributes to a stable and well-rounded community structure.