A+
75%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
59%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
77%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWakefield/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime161n/a (estimate)5911,3922,324
Murder0n/a0.02.16.3
Rape8n/a29.329.140.0
Robbery4n/a14.737.766.1
Assault29n/a106.4253.1268.2
Violent crime41n/a (estimate)150322370
Burglary11n/a40.3142.8269.8
Theft87n/a319.1827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft22n/a80.799.7282.7
Property crime120n/a (estimate)4401,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wakefield, MA

The Wakefield crime rates are 74.6% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 41 violent crimes in Wakefield (150 per 100,000 people), which is 59.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 120 property crimes (440 per 100,000 residents) which is 77.5% lower than average.

Wakefield has a crime rate of 591, which is considerably less than the national average of 2324. This results in Wakefield being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

During the most recently reported crime year, Wakefield experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Wakefield maintains a property crime rate of 440 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Wakefield as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Wakefield?

What do the local residents think about crime in Wakefield? Well, based on a recent survey of 8 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 100% of Wakefield residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 0% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Wakefield a Safe Place to Live?

Is Wakefield a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Wakefield has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 75%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.44 daily incidents, encompassing 0.11 violent crimes and 0.33 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wakefield as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Wakefield Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Wakefield. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Wakefield has increased by 30.9%. Violent crimes have increased by 32.3%, while property crimes have increased by 30.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wakefield

In Wakefield, the poverty rate currently stands at 5%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Wakefield crime rates.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Wakefield crime rates. Wakefield registers a population density of 3658.1 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Wakefield is $557,800, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Wakefield crime map



The Wakefield crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Wakefield as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Wakefield crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Wakefield crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Wakefield, MA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Wakefield crime rates are 75% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Wakefield are 59% lower than the national average
      • In Wakefield you have a 1 in 170 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Wakefield is safer than 73% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Wakefield has increased by 32%

      Wakefield, MA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Wakefield (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Wakefield on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Massachusetts and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Wakefield (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Massachusetts, are 2.36 times less than the state average and 3.94 times less than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Wakefield on a daily basis are 2.14 times less than than Massachusetts average and 2.46 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Wakefield are 2.43 times less than the daily state average and 4.44 times less than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Wakefield (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Wakefield, Massachusetts compared to other areas of Massachusetts, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Wakefield safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Wakefield is safer than 64% of Massachusetts cities, and 73% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Massachusetts, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Wakefield. At this time, Wakefield sees a above average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wakefield

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wakefield is 1 in 665
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wakefield is 1 in 228
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wakefield is 1 in 170
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Wakefield? If you reside in Wakefield, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 665. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 228 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Wakefield, is 1 in 170.

        Year Over Year Crime In Wakefield (per 100,000 people)

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Wakefield, Massachusetts (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Wakefield has increased by 33%, the amount of property crime in Wakefield has increased by 31%, and the total amount of crime in Wakefield has increased by 32% year over year.

        Wakefield police department

        Item Wakefield Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)4411,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.72.23.3
        There are a total of 44 Wakefield police officers. This results in 1.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 19.6% less than the Massachusetts average and 46.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Boxford, MA2,925124961
        Nahant, MA3,51230211241
        Ipswich, MA4,82644255299
        Rowley, MA1,80365245310
        Winchester, MA22,76040271311
        Lexington, MA33,30444286330
        Topsfield, MA3,04661365425
        Wakefield, MA27,041150440591

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Wheeling, WV27,0461,2312,4123,643
        Magna, UT27,0293362,6342,970
        Norco, CA27,0212022,7932,996
        Mason City, IA27,0642922,6752,967
        Mount Pleasant, WI27,0081121,7671,879
        Wakefield, MA27,041150440591
        Source: The Wakefield, MA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.