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D+

Is Wake Forest, North Carolina Safe?

Population 58,147 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Wake Forest runs high. The city's D+ grade puts it below 80% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,678 per 100K.

Wake Forest Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWake ForestNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate403.8317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2139.02053.51,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate232.0--268.2
Theft Rate1678.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate310.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

254.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

404/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2139/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Wake Forest

Violent crime in Wake Forest is close to the national average. The rate of 403.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2139.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,678 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Wake Forest Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault232
087% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery97
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary334
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,678
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft310
097% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Wake Forest Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wake Forest
403.8
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wake Forest
2139.0
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wake Forest Safety

Is Wake Forest safe?
Not especially. Wake Forest earns a D+ with a crime rate of 254.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Wake Forest?
254.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 403.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2139.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Wake Forest safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Wake Forest's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,678 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Wake Forest?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Wake Forest generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Wake Forest police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Wake Forest?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Wake Forest's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Wake Forest compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Wake Forest ranks behind about 73% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Wake Forest to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Wake Forest?
Bad. A D+ grade and 254.3 per-thousand rate put Wake Forest below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 404 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Wake Forest?
403.8 per 100,000, which is 11% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (232), robbery (97), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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View all North Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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