Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Wake Forest, NC has a Safety Score of 58/100 — safer than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,244 of 2,971 US cities and #18 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wake Forest, North Carolina Safe?
Wake Forest, NC, a town in northern Wake County, was historically home to Wake Forest College before its move to Winston-Salem. It boasts a growing population of over 50,000 residents today.
Wake Forest has a safety score of 58/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wake Forest ranks #18 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #1244 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 58th percentile for safety — safer than 58% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Wake Forest are below the national average, with robbery particularly low at 0.1x the national rate.
Year over year, Wake Forest's total crime rate decreased by 16.9%, with violent crime declining 8.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Wake Forest Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 82 | 146.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 3.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 5.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 9.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 72 | 128.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 729 | 1,304.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 58 | 103.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 624 | 1,116.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 47 | 84.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wake Forest vs North Carolina Average
How does Wake Forest's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Wake Forest | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 556.7 | -73.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,304.8 | 2,951.3 | -55.8% |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 9.0 | -60.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,451.5 | 3,508.0 | -58.6% |
Wake Forest Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wake Forest, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55,872 | 1,451.5 | 146.8 | 1,304.8 |
| 2023 | 52,609 | 1,746.9 | 159.7 | 1,587.2 |
| 2022 | 51,385 | 1,161.8 | 114.8 | 1,047.0 |
| 2021 | 49,457 | 1,081.8 | 143.6 | 938.2 |
| 2020 | 47,738 | 1,231.7 | 140.4 | 1,091.4 |
| 2019 | 46,145 | 903.7 | 52.0 | 851.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wake Forest, North Carolina safe?
Wake Forest has a safety score of 58/100, meaning it has less crime than about 58% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wake Forest is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Wake Forest, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wake Forest has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,304.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wake Forest compare to the national average?
Wake Forest's total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 55,872 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Wake Forest?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wake Forest include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wake Forest safe to visit?
Like any city, Wake Forest has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 58/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.