| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wake Forest/100k people | North Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 811 | n/a (estimate) | 1,452 | 2,344 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 3.6 | 7.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 5.4 | 28.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 8.9 | 50.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 72 | n/a | 128.9 | 290.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 82 | n/a (estimate) | 147 | 376 | 359 |
| Burglary | 58 | n/a | 103.8 | 323.9 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 624 | n/a | 1,116.8 | 1,390.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 47 | n/a | 84.1 | 254.1 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 729 | n/a (estimate) | 1,305 | 1,968 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Wake Forest is 31.5% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Wake Forest, there were 82 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 147 per 100,000 individuals, 59.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 729 property crimes, amounting to 1305 per 100,000 residents, 25.9% lower than the U.S. average.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Wake Forest. Based on the results of the surveys (26 responses), 81% of people felt that there was very little crime in Wake Forest and felt safe walking alone at night. While 19% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Wake Forest a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Wake Forest crime rate is 32% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.22 crimes per day - 0.22 violent crimes and 2 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Wake Forest has increased by 52.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Wake Forest is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 18.8%, while property crime has increased by 57.8%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Wake Forest.
In Wake Forest, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Wake Forest crime rates.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Wake Forest crime rates. The population density in Wake Forest is 2821.2 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
In Wake Forest, 93.6% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Wake Forest | North Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 67 | 14,511 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.1 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | North Carolina /100K | National /100K |
| North Carolina | 26,293 | 320 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rolesville, NC | 8,199 | 34 | 438 | 471 |
| Wendell, NC | 8,195 | 135 | 1,075 | 1,210 |
| Butner, NC | 8,082 | 245 | 1,312 | 1,557 |
| Creedmoor, NC | 4,714 | 316 | 1,599 | 1,915 |
| Youngsville, NC | 2,298 | 0 | 2,196 | 2,196 |
| Zebulon, NC | 5,916 | 328 | 2,453 | 2,781 |
| Knightdale, NC | 17,266 | 195 | 2,924 | 3,118 |
| Wake Forest, NC | 45,648 | 147 | 1,305 | 1,452 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Brea, CA | 45,637 | 211 | 2,865 | 3,076 |
| Ashburn, VA | 45,717 | 94 | 678 | 772 |
| Burke, VA | 45,553 | 94 | 678 | 772 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 45,771 | 410 | 785 | 1,196 |
| Cleveland Heights, OH | 45,821 | 251 | 1,300 | 1,551 |
| Wake Forest, NC | 45,648 | 147 | 1,305 | 1,452 |
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