Is Marinette Safe, Pros and cons of living in Marinette

Marinette, Wisconsin, nestled along the Menominee River and Green Bay, offers a unique blend of small-city charm and access to natural beauty. Known for its industrial roots and scenic waterfront, the city presents a distinct lifestyle for its residents. This overview explores key aspects of living in Marinette, from safety and cost of living to employment opportunities and climate.

The community is characterized by its close-knit atmosphere and a population that values its connection to both Wisconsin and Michigan, given its location on the state border. Marinette’s history is deeply intertwined with the lumber and paper industries, and today, manufacturing and maritime sectors continue to play a significant role in its economy.

Is it Safe to Live in Marinette?

Marinette’s overall crime rate is reported to be lower than the national average, with property crimes being a more significant concern than violent crimes. One analysis indicates that Marinette has an overall crime rate that is 13% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, another report suggests that Marinette is not one of the safest communities in America, with a crime rate higher than 91% of Wisconsin’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Marinette is approximately 1 in 586, with property crime occurring at a rate of 17 per 1,000 population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). CrimeGrade.org gives Marinette a C- grade for safety, indicating a slightly higher rate of violent crime than the average U.S. city, and ranking it in the 32nd percentile for safety (meaning it is safer than 32% of cities) (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Conversely, AreaVibes states that Marinette is safer than 44% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes).

Cost of Living in Marinette

Marinette is generally considered more affordable than the national average, with various sources indicating a cost of living that is below the U.S. average. One calculator suggests Marinette is 13% less expensive than the national average, and 8% less expensive than the average city in Wisconsin (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This affordability extends to various categories, including food, transportation, housing, and healthcare (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

However, some data presents a slightly different picture, with one source stating that living costs in Marinette are 2% higher than the U.S. national average and significantly lower than Wisconsin’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This source also highlights soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices as primary drivers of Marinette’s cost of living (as reported by Salary.com). In contrast, AreaVibes reports that Marinette’s cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being 46.1% below the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Costs

Housing expenses in Marinette are notably lower than the national average, contributing significantly to the city’s overall affordability. The median home price in Marinette County is approximately $249,900 (as reported by realtor.com®). Rent prices also reflect this affordability, with the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Marinette being around $975 as of April 2026, which is 50% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper).

Zillow indicates an average rent of $1,000 in Marinette, WI, which is also 50% lower than the national average (as reported by Zillow). Houses for rent in Marinette average around $1,472 per month, while apartments can range from $550 for a studio to $975 for a two-bedroom unit (as reported by Zumper).

Job Market and Economy

Marinette’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with manufacturing and maritime sectors being prominent. Fincantieri Marinette Marine is a major employer, specializing in shipbuilding and constructing Littoral Combat Ships for the U.S. Navy (as reported by The Mining Journal). Other significant employers include Waupaca Foundry, a large manufacturer of iron castings, and Tyco Fire Suppression, which produces fire protection systems (as reported by The Mining Journal).

The average salary in Marinette, Wisconsin, is reported to be around $61,883 per year, or approximately $30 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources suggest a lower average annual salary of $43,000, or $20.67 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The unemployment rate in Marinette County was 5.10% as of a recent report, which is lower than the long-term average (as reported by YCharts).

Major Employers

Key employers in the Marinette area include Fincantieri Marinette Marine, a significant shipbuilding company (as reported by The Mining Journal). Waupaca Foundry, a global leader in grey iron castings, also plays a substantial role in the local economy (as reported by The Mining Journal). Additionally, Tyco Fire Suppression (Johnson Controls) is a major employer, known for its fire protection systems (as reported by The Mining Journal).

Other notable companies contributing to Marinette’s employment landscape include KS Kolbenschmidt US Inc., which manufactures automotive parts, and Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area, a healthcare provider (as reported by The Mining Journal). Kimberly-Clark, a paper manufacturer, and Ansul/Tyco, a fire protection systems manufacturer, are also established businesses in the region (as reported by Wikipedia).

Climate in Marinette

Marinette experiences a climate with significant seasonal temperature variations. Summers are generally warm, with July typically being the hottest month, featuring average high temperatures around 79-80°F and lows around 60°F (as reported by NOAA and myPerfectWeather). Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, with January being the coldest month, often seeing average high temperatures around 26°F and lows around 9-12°F (as reported by NOAA and myPerfectWeather).

The city receives a moderate amount of precipitation, with an annual average of around 30-33 inches of rain and snow (as reported by NOAA and myPerfectWeather). October is typically the wettest month, while February tends to be the driest. The climate is characterized by large temperature swings between seasons, with comfortable temperatures generally occurring from late spring through early fall (as reported by BestPlaces).

Education in Marinette

The Marinette School District serves the city’s K-12 student population. For the 2026 school year, the district has four public schools serving approximately 1,958 students (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s average testing ranking is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Wisconsin, with lower-than-average math and reading proficiency scores (as reported by Public School Review).

Despite lower testing scores, the district has seen an increase in its graduation rate, which stands at 92% (as reported by Public School Review). Marinette High School, specifically, has a graduation rate of 92% and an average GPA of 3.48 (as reported by Homes.com). Some students have benefited from dual credit college classes through partnerships with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Marinette campus (as reported by Niche).

Demographics of Marinette

Marinette has a population of approximately 11,115 residents, with projections indicating slight growth (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). The city is predominantly White, with the White population making up about 93.4% of residents (as reported by Census Dots). Other racial and ethnic groups, including Multiracial, Hispanic, and Black or African American populations, are present in smaller percentages (as reported by Census Dots).

The median household income in Marinette is reported to be around $58,638 (as reported by Census Dots). The median age in Marinette is approximately 41.1 years (as reported by Data USA). For every 100 females, there are about 102.1 males in the city (as reported by Data USA).