Wake, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wake Safe?
Yes — Wake is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Wake has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 536.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 536
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
51% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 192
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
72% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Wake Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
25 | -75% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
17 | -83% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wake Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wake Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Wake zip codes.
Wake Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wake, VA?
Wake, VA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 536 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 192 chance for property crime. Wake has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wake, VA safe to live in?
Wake is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wake is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wake?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wake is 186.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 536 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (52% below average); aggravated assault at 139.6 per 100K (48% below average); robbery at 29.2 per 100K (60% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Wake?
The estimated property crime rate in Wake is 521.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 72% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 192 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 117.9 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 350.2 per 100K (75% below average); vehicle theft at 53.1 per 100K (83% below average).
How does Wake crime compare to the national average?
Wake's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (48% below average), while vehicle theft is 83% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wake has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Wake safe to visit?
Wake is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 72% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Wake crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Wake's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Wake?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wake, with an estimated rate of 350.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 75% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (521 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (187 per 100K) in Wake, which is consistent with national trends.