Is Petaluma or Wake Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than Wake Forest (Safety Score 58/100 vs 58/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 1,452 for Wake Forest — 0% lower. Petaluma has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wake Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petaluma, CA
Wake Forest, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petaluma | Wake Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,444.6 | 1,451.5 | -6.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 271.8 | 146.8 | +125.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.6 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 44.5 | 5.4 | +39.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.5 | 9.0 | +35.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.9 | 128.9 | +54.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,172.8 | 1,304.8 | -132.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 95.7 | 103.8 | -8.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 976.2 | 1,116.8 | -140.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.9 | 84.1 | +16.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petaluma or Wake Forest safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 1,452 for Wake Forest — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petaluma has a violent crime rate of 271.8 per 100K while Wake Forest has 146.8. Wake Forest has lower violent crime.
About Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Wake Forest, NC
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. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 55,872, Wake Forest has a total crime rate of 1,451.5 per 100,000 residents.