| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wakefield/100k people | Massachusetts/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 167 | n/a (estimate) | 584 | 1,427 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 16 | n/a | 56.0 | 27.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 7.0 | 36.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 32 | n/a | 111.9 | 249.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 50 | n/a (estimate) | 175 | 315 | 359 |
| Burglary | 13 | n/a | 45.5 | 130.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 84 | n/a | 293.8 | 876.3 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 20 | n/a | 69.9 | 105.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 117 | n/a (estimate) | 409 | 1,112 | 1,760 |
The Wakefield crime rates are 72.4% 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 50 violent crimes in Wakefield (175 per 100,000 people), which is 51.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 117 property crimes (409 per 100,000 residents) which is 76.8% lower than average.
Wakefield proudly maintains an impressively low crime rate, registering at a mere 584, which sharply contrasts with the national average of 2119. This stark contrast firmly positions Wakefield as one of the most secure residential destinations throughout the entire United States. The total crime rate takes into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, offering an invaluable assessment of the area's safety suitability for living.
Wakefield showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Wakefield has a property crime rate of 409 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1760. This is a good indicator that Wakefield is a safe place to live.
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.
To determine if Wakefield is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Wakefield has a total crime rate that is 72% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.46 daily crimes (0.14 violent daily crimes and 0.32 daily property crimes) in Wakefield.
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 35.8%. Violent crimes have increased by 61.3%, while property crimes have increased by 27.2%. 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.
Wakefield has a population density of 3795.7 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Wakefield crime rates.
In Wakefield, 91.2% 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.
In Wakefield, the cost of living is 61.72% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
| Item | Wakefield | Massachusetts | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 44 | 11,659 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Massachusetts /100K | National /100K |
| Massachusetts | 4,551 | 72 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Boxford, MA | 3,040 | 0 | 145 | 145 |
| Topsfield, MA | 3,158 | 0 | 255 | 255 |
| Rowley, MA | 1,844 | 58 | 204 | 262 |
| Lexington, MA | 34,058 | 52 | 335 | 387 |
| Winchester, MA | 23,430 | 17 | 383 | 400 |
| Ipswich, MA | 4,988 | 134 | 274 | 408 |
| Cochituate, MA | 6,978 | 102 | 362 | 464 |
| Wakefield, MA | 28,061 | 175 | 409 | 584 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lake Jackson, TX | 28,060 | 260 | 1,740 | 2,000 |
| Glen Cove, NY | 28,057 | 112 | 468 | 580 |
| Plum, PA | 28,078 | 61 | 153 | 214 |
| Citrus Park, FL | 28,085 | 168 | 896 | 1,064 |
| Belmont, CA | 28,035 | 165 | 1,284 | 1,448 |
| Wakefield, MA | 28,061 | 175 | 409 | 584 |
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