Wake Forest, NC Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 72% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wake Forest Safe?
Yes — Wake Forest has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Wake Forest has a crime rate that is 37% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 450.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 450
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 80
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Wake Forest 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
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wake Forest Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wake Forest Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Wake Forest zip codes.
Wake Forest Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wake Forest, NC?
Wake Forest, NC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 450 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 80 chance for property crime. Wake Forest has lower crime than 72% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wake Forest, NC safe to live in?
Wake Forest is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wake Forest is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wake Forest?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wake Forest is 222.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 450 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 151.7 per 100K (43% below average); robbery at 47.5 per 100K (36% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Wake Forest?
The estimated property crime rate in Wake Forest is 1,251.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 80 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 240.5 per 100K (11% below average); larceny/theft at 781.0 per 100K (44% below average); vehicle theft at 229.5 per 100K (28% below average).
How does Wake Forest crime compare to the national average?
Wake Forest's overall crime rate is 37% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (11% below average), while larceny/theft is 44% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wake Forest has lower crime than 72% of them.
Is Wake Forest safe to visit?
Wake Forest is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% 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 Forest crime compare to the rest of North Carolina?
North Carolina as a whole has crime that is 11% above the national average. Wake Forest's crime rate is 37% below the national average, making it safer the typical North Carolina city.
What type of crime is most common in Wake Forest?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wake Forest, with an estimated rate of 781.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 44% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,251 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (222 per 100K) in Wake Forest, which is consistent with national trends.