Is Shawano Safe, Pros and cons of living in Shawano

Shawano, Wisconsin, offers a blend of small-town charm and access to natural beauty, making it an appealing place for those seeking a quieter lifestyle. Located in Shawano County, this city provides a community-oriented atmosphere with a connection to the outdoors, thanks to nearby Shawano Lake. It’s a place where residents can enjoy a slower pace of life while still having access to necessary amenities and a friendly environment.

The city is situated in the northeastern part of Wisconsin, characterized by a landscape of agriculture, forests, and wetlands. Shawano Lake, a significant feature of the region, offers recreational opportunities and contributes to the area’s scenic appeal. The community has a history intertwined with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians, adding a rich cultural dimension to the area.

Is it Safe to Live in Shawano?

Shawano’s overall crime rate is reported to be lower than the national average. In terms of daily occurrences, the city experiences approximately 0.36 crimes per day, with a smaller fraction being violent crimes (0.05) and the majority being property crimes (0.3) (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a generally safe environment for its residents.

Violent crimes, including assault, robbery, rape, and murder, are reported at a rate of 217 per 100,000 individuals, which is 39.7% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Property crimes, such as theft, vehicle theft, and burglary, are also below the national average, with 1,202 incidents per 100,000 residents, representing a 31.7% decrease compared to the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city has registered zero reported homicides in the most recently reported crime year (as reported by AreaVibes), further contributing to a sense of security.

However, safety can vary by neighborhood, and residents generally consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The chance of being a victim of crime in Shawano varies, with a 1 in 28 chance in eastern neighborhoods and a 1 in 48 chance in the southwest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Central parts of Shawano experience the most incidents, with approximately 106 crimes annually, while the southwest has the fewest, around 23 crimes per year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Shawano is notably lower than the national average. The overall cost of living index is 86, indicating it is 14% less expensive than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). This affordability extends to housing, which is 41% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

In March 2026, the median listing price for homes in Shawano was $251,900 (as reported by Redfin). The median property value in Shawano was $160,800 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). Recently, in March 2026, home prices were down 18.0% compared to the previous year, with a median sale price of $205,000 (as reported by Redfin).

Rental costs are also competitive. The average rent price in Shawano was $776 last month, showing a slight increase of $21 month-over-month (as reported by Redfin). For a two-bedroom apartment, the fair market rent in Shawano County is $933 per month (as reported by RentData.org), and the average rent for all bedrooms is $895 (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economy

The economy in Shawano is driven by several key industries. Manufacturing is a significant sector, employing a substantial number of residents, followed by Health Care & Social Assistance and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA). The average annual salary in Shawano is approximately $47,705 as of May 2026 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The unemployment rate in Shawano County was 4.3% in 2026 (as reported by FRED). Major employers in the area include Shawano Schools, BayCare Clinic, and Belmark Inc. (as reported by Zippia). National companies with offices in Shawano also contribute to the job market, such as National Information Solutions Cooperative and Novolex (as reported by Zippia).

The job market has seen growth, with employment in Shawano, WI, increasing at a rate of 6.85% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups include Production Occupations, Healthcare Support Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (as reported by Data USA).

Climate and Weather

Shawano experiences a humid continental climate, with precipitation throughout the year and warm to hot summers (as reported by Wisconsin State Climatology Office). Temperatures typically range from 12°F to 83°F annually, rarely dropping below -8°F or exceeding 91°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hottest month is July, with average highs around 81°F to 82°F, while January is the coldest, with average lows around 6°F to 13°F (as reported by Wisconsin State Climatology Office, myPerfectWeather).

Annual precipitation averages around 33 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather, Wisconsin State Climatology Office), with June being the wettest month, receiving approximately 3.7 to 4.2 inches of rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather, Time and Date). Snowfall is significant during the winter months, with an average of 49 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). January typically sees the most snow, averaging around 11.6 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Climate projections indicate a warming trend, particularly in winter. The number of very cold days and nights has been decreasing, while the frequency of hot summer days is expected to increase (as reported by Wisconsin State Climatology Office). Precipitation is also projected to increase slightly over time (as reported by Wisconsin State Climatology Office).

Education and Demographics

Shawano’s population was 9,243 at the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). As of 2024, the projected population is around 9,522 (as reported by Data USA), with a further projection to 9,755 by 2026 (as reported by Census Reporter). The median age in Shawano is approximately 40.2 years (as reported by Census Reporter).

The racial composition of Shawano is predominantly White, making up about 78.6% of the population, followed by Two or More races at 8.4% and American Indian at 7.6% (as reported by Census Reporter). The median household income in 2024 was $57,490 (as reported by Census Reporter), with a poverty rate of 14.9% (as reported by Data USA).

For education, the Shawano School District serves the city (as reported by Wikipedia). The largest racial/ethnic groups in Shawano are White, followed by Two or More races, and American Indian (as reported by Census Reporter). The population is largely comprised of U.S. citizens, with over 99% holding citizenship (as reported by Data USA).