Is Wakefield safe?
Wake Forest, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Wakefield as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Wakefield
“Go. Wakefield is an exceptionally safe, prosperous master-planned suburban community featuring high homeownership, quiet residential streets, and a country club atmosphere. Visitors face virtually no violent crime risks, though standard precautions against opportunistic property theft in parked cars apply.”
About the area
Wakefield is an upscale, expansive planned community straddling North Raleigh and Wake Forest centered around the Wakefield Plantation golf course. The area features manicured neighborhoods, greenway trails, retail centers, and modern suburban amenities.
- Suburban / Planned
- Family-Friendly
- Golf Community
- Car-Dependent
- Tranquil
Walking and biking in Wakefield
Walk score: 26/100 · Bike score: 34/100
While internal neighborhood roads lack dedicated bike lanes, the nearby Neuse River Greenway provides miles of paved, continuous multi-use trails connecting south toward Raleigh.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are among the lowest in the Raleigh-Wake Forest metro area
- High median household incomes exceeding $120,000 and poverty rates below 4%
- Well-maintained infrastructure, active neighborhood watch, and pristine common areas
- Direct access to Neuse River Greenway trails and extensive park systems
Cons
- Occasional unlocked vehicle break-ins typical of affluent suburbs
- High car dependence with minimal walkability between residential enclaves and retail
- Rush-hour traffic congestion on major arteries like Falls of Neuse Road and US-1
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Wakefield, with no encampments or panhandling present in the community.
What Wakefield is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with morning joggers, dog walkers, and school commuters feeling completely secure.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and residential, with pleasant activity around neighborhood parks and shopping centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented with patio dining and neighborhood strolls in well-lit subdivisions.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very quiet and deserted, with exceptionally low foot traffic and minimal safety concerns.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited; GoRaleigh operates commuter route 25L along Falls of Neuse Road connecting to North Raleigh, but service is infrequent and personal vehicle travel is the standard.
Parking is completely free, abundant, and straightforward across all commercial shopping strip centers and neighborhood amenities.
Things to do in Wakefield
- Play a round of golf or attend events at the Country Club at Wakefield Plantation
- Walk, run, or cycle along the scenic Neuse River Trail accessible at nearby trailheads
- Explore the shops and casual eateries in the Wakefield Crossing and Commons retail plazas
Local favorites
- The Forks Cafeteria · Southern Restaurant · 4.5★ (1100)Longstanding local staple offering classic Southern comfort food and homestyle meats and sides.
- Village Deli and Grill - Wakefield · Deli & American · 4.4★ (850)Casual neighborhood eatery serving hearty sandwiches, burgers, and craft beers on tap.
- San Jose Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (920)Popular family-friendly spot known for traditional Mexican plates, fajitas, and margaritas.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.