Violent
Property
Total
Wakefield, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 28,594
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wakefield, Massachusetts Safe?
Wakefield has a safety score of 89/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 584.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wakefield ranks #55 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #318 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 89th percentile for safety — safer than 89% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Wakefield is rape, at 56.0 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Wakefield's total crime rate decreased by 8.3%, with violent crime rising 58.4%.
Wakefield Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 50 | 174.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 16 | 56.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 7.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 32 | 111.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 117 | 409.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 13 | 45.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 84 | 293.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 20 | 69.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wakefield vs Massachusetts Average
How does Wakefield's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Wakefield | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 174.9 | 312.0 | -43.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 409.2 | 1,086.7 | -62.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 584.0 | 1,398.7 | -58.2% |
Wakefield Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wakefield, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28,594 | 584.0 | 174.9 | 409.2 |
| 2023 | 27,175 | 636.6 | 110.4 | 526.2 |
| 2022 | 27,263 | 590.5 | 150.4 | 440.2 |
| 2021 | 27,470 | 447.8 | 112.9 | 334.9 |
| 2020 | 27,114 | 689.7 | 107.0 | 582.7 |
| 2019 | 27,178 | 739.6 | 136.1 | 603.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wakefield, Massachusetts safe?
Wakefield has a safety score of 89/100. With a total crime rate of 584.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wakefield is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Wakefield, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wakefield has a violent crime rate of 174.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 409.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wakefield compare to the national average?
Wakefield's total crime rate of 584.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 28,594.
What types of crime are most common in Wakefield?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wakefield include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wakefield safe to visit?
Like any city, Wakefield has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 89/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.