Is Wake Forest, NC, a Safe Place to Live? (Crime Statistics)

Is Wake Forest, NC, a safe place to live? Here is what you should know about Wake Forest crime statistics, the safest neighborhoods in Wake Forest, and other tips on how to stay safe in Wake Forest. 

Wake Forest, just North of Raleigh, is found in Wake County. This county offers its residents a suburban feel with a thriving art scene, high-end food options, and a plethora of recreational activities. Known for its small-town charm, history, and vibrant culture, it is one of the best places to relocate. 

For many reasons, Wake Forest has been considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina, making it one of the top suburbs in the Raleigh-Triangle area. Wake Forest has made a name for itself as an excellent place to call home and a safe place to live. 

There are many things you should consider when you are thinking about moving somewhere new, and one of the top things is safety. It is important to be aware of the crime rate and evaluate whether the area is safe. According to statistics, Wake Forest is one of the safest cities in North Carolina. 

If you are considering relocating to Wake Forest, check out the available real estate here to help jumpstart the home-buying process. 

Keep reading to learn more about how safe Wake Forest, NC, is.

1. City of Wake Forest Crime Statistics

Since Raleigh is a safe place to live, it is no surprise that Wake Forest is also. Wake Forest has an average crime rate of 21.95 per 1,000 residents. Considering that it is safer than most cities, your chance of being a victim in Wake Forest can be as high as 1 in 21 in the central neighborhoods and as low as 1 in 82 in the northwest part of the city. 

Here are Wake Forest's annual crime rates: 

	Violent Crime	Property Crime	Total Crime
Number of Crimes	60	539	599
Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents	1.17	10.55	11.72

Here are your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Wake Forest vs. the rest of North Carolina: 

Crime Type	Wake Forest	North Carolina
Violent Crime	one in 852	one in 247
Property Crime	one in 95	one in 48

Data Sourced from NeighborhoodScout. 

Wake Forest is ranked grade A, which means its crime rate is much lower than that of the average US city. Wake Forest is in the 87th percentile for safety, meaning that 13% of cities are safer while 87% are more dangerous. 

Crime happens where people are, whether they live there or not, so some areas may seem unsafe based on the numbers. However, you must consider what's nearby and how many people visit this place because that adds to the numbers. 

Below is a chart showing each crime. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Wake Forest residents in a standard year. 

Violent Crimes

Assault	0.8842
Robbery	0.6869
Rape	0.2309
Murder	0.0461
Total Violent Crime	1.848 (A)

Property Crimes

Theft	12.88
Vehicle Theft	0.6932
Burglary	3.195
Arson	0.0880
Total Property Crime	16.85 (B+)

Other Crimes

Kidnapping	0.0310
Drug Crimes	0.5755
Vandalism	1.880
Identity Theft	0.7635
Total "Other" Rate	3.254 (A+)

2. Safe Neighborhoods in Wake Forest

If you live in Wake Forest and are ready to find your dream home in a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, then you are certainly in the right place. From nice single-family homes to new-construction homes, Wake Forest has plenty of safe communities and welcoming neighborhoods to choose from when conducting your home search.

Wakefield

Wakefield is a neighborhood you must check out. It's situated on the Raleigh line, where some homes are in Raleigh and some in Wake Forest. Considered another community with a country club backbone and one of the premier neighborhoods in the Triangle, Wakefield is a sought-after place to live.

Homes for sale in Wakefield vary greatly in price, with hundreds of homes inside the community. Many homes in this neighborhood sell for upwards of one million dollars. Wakefield is a neighborhood you must consider if you are looking for a mature neighborhood with the lifestyle amenities of living in a country club community.

Heritage

One of the largest neighborhoods in Wake Forest is Heritage, located just ten minutes North of Raleigh. This community offers world-class amenities, including golf courses, tennis courts, and a pool, making it a sought-after and well-known place to live.

Heritage is a great place to live for anyone who is looking for a welcoming atmosphere and a golf course community with high-end amenities. The homes for sale in Heritage have a median list price of $635,041 and an average price per square foot of $218. Most homes for sale stay on the market for an average of 26 days. 

Dansforth

Dansforth is a picturesque neighborhood in south Wake Forest with a mature community feel and a range of beautiful real estate options. Its convenient location near Capital Boulevard allows residents to travel throughout the Triangle area easily.

Dansforth is a popular choice for first-time homebuyers and young families. It offers single-family homes for sale with brick, stone, and vinyl siding options. Residents can enjoy various amenities, such as a community pool, clubhouse, and playground, making Dansforth a vibrant and welcoming neighborhood.

3. How to Stay Safe in Wake Forest

Understanding how to stay safe in your community, regardless of your location, is crucial. This area, being a popular and prominent city, benefits from a significant police presence to assist in emergency situations. By taking simple steps, you can ensure your safety. It's important to remember that crime prevention is essential for reducing the risk of becoming a victim of violent or property crimes.

The following are some tips from the NCDPS on how to protect yourself. 

• Stay Alert: Always be conscious of what or who is around you. 
• Be Confident: Do not let out vulnerability and avoid being alone and feeling lost. 
• Look People Directly in their eyes: This is a simple self-defense move to help yourself in public
• Know the Neighborhood: Be cautious of strangers as always, use well-traveled routes, and do not take shortcuts. 
• Do not Walk Alone: Walk with people around you even if you feel like you are in a well-traveled area
• Be Prepared: Wear comfortable clothing when you are walking and always have a plan for if something does happen

If you are attacked:

• Do not Panic: Take control of yourself and the situation
• Do not Resist: Give up any property that is not worth your life
• Distract: Try to distract or confusion them, such as by screaming or running
• If there is a weapon... remain calm, be cooperative and negotiate

4. Priotze Home Safety

Home safety is one of the most popular ways to make sure you feel safe in your home. Many neighborhoods throughout Wake Forest have their safety protocol; if not, here is what DPS Services has to say to keep in mind to keep yourself and your family safe while at home. 

• Answer doors and phones so a potential burglar will know your home is occupied
• Never tell a caller you are alone
• Ensure your home's security with a home security system while you're away.
• Always look through the peephole, window, or doorbell camera to see who is outside before opening the door
• Verify a repairment with their dispatchers before letting them inside
• If someone you do not know asks to make an emergency call on your phone, do not let them in; make the call for them. 
• If you think forced entry has been made, do not go inside; go somewhere safe and get help. 
• Be cautious of public areas and lots. Make sure it is a well-lit area and use these areas with accompanies
• Never give out information about yourself or where you live to a stranger
• If you ever need help in your neighborhood, yell "Fire" instead of "Help," as it is more likely to get the attention of bystanders.

5. Utilize Resources Available in Wake Forest

The Wake Forest Police Department's mission is to safeguard the lives and property of the people it serves, reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and enhance public safety while working with the community to improve their quality of life. 

The Wake Forest Police Department's overall goal is to reduce crime and make the community a safer place to live and work. To keep this area secure, the department hires proactive and motivated employees who provide the best training and equipment while performing, partnering, and promoting duties, tasks, and programs. 

If you want to contact the Wake Forest Police:

• Main Station: 225 S. Taylor St., Wake Forest, NC 27587 - (919) 554-6150
• Fax: (919) 435-9607
• Records: (919) 435-9599
• Criminal Investigation Divison and Tip Line: (919) 435-9610

There are also many resources are available to help ensure your safety and get the right help if you are in danger. The DPS website has many safety tips to help you as well, whether personal safety, theft, fraud, or abuse. Here are some resources to help you be safer and positively contribute to the safety of others in the community. 

• North Carolina Victim Advocate Network
• North Carolina Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification
• North Carolina Missing Persons
• North Carolina Crime Statistics
• VictimLaw.Info
• United States Bureau of Justice

And many others. Your town has many resources available for you. Knowing you are safe and looked after is important. Use the resources and help available to you if you need it; do not hesitate to ask. 

Methodology

We used information from different sources and our data to determine if Wake Forest is a safe place to live and the crime rates. There were various data to use, so we put them together to guide you on what you should know about living in Wake Forest and its safety. 

• NeighborhoodScout
• Crime Grade
• DPS Services
• Wake Forest Police Department

The sources listed above are a few of the ones we used to gather most of our information about Wake Forest and the city's safety. 

FAQS

How safe is Wake Forest?

Wake Forest is considered one of the safest places to live in North Carolina, with an average crime rate of 21.95 per 1,000 residents. Being a victim in Wake Forest can be as high as 1 in 21 in the central neighborhoods and as low as 1 in 82 in the northwest part of the city.  

Is Wake Forest, NC, a nice place to live? 

Wake Forest is a fantastic place to reside in the Triangle area. It offers beautiful real estate, a welcoming family atmosphere, enjoyable activities, delectable dining options, and outstanding educational and employment prospects.

What is Wake Forest known for?

Due to the average yearly temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, Wake Forest is known as "the great outdoors." This area thrives due to its cultural and diverse attractions throughout the region.

 

Is Wake Forest, NC, a Safe Place to Live? (Crime Statistics) - The Bottom Line

To feel safe in Wake Forest, it is important to analyze both the overall crime rate and daily count. Wake Forest's total crime rate per 1,000 residents is 50% lower than the national average. Wake Forest experiences an average of 1.63 daily crimes, 0.16 violent crimes, and 1.47 property crimes. 

The last crime report showed that Wake Forest's crime rates had increased by 12.1% year over year. Comparing crime rates from each year offers more. Insight into whether an area is safer or more dangerous. Year over year, violent crime decreased increased by 16%. 

Keep in mind that there are many potential causes of crime in each area, and that does vary. The impact of law enforcement and community police efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city, especially in Wake Forest. The ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.14, which allows their effective work with the community to prevent crime. 

If you are considering moving or selling, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Raleigh Realty is here to help you with any home buying or selling needs.