RANK #824 / 996 · POP 1,132,103 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.8%
Known as the "City of Oaks," Raleigh, the county seat, anchors Wake County, North Carolina, a region distinguished by its lush, tree-lined streets and commitment to green spaces. Located in the state's Piedmont region, Wake County is part of the larger Research Triangle area. Commute times within the county and to nearby cities vary, with options like the I-540 outer loop assisting in navigating the region. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including over 200 miles of greenway trails, numerous parks, and lakes such as Falls Lake and Lake Crabtree, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and water activities.
Life in Wake County attracts a diverse population, including families and professionals, drawn by its quality of life and educational opportunities. The Wake County Public School System is the largest in North Carolina, serving over 161,000 students across more than 200 schools. The economy is driven by a range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, and research, with significant investment flowing into these areas. The presence of institutions like North Carolina State University and the broader Research Triangle Park contributes to a skilled workforce and a dynamic economic landscape.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New Hill Data Center Campus
Undisclosed (Developer)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Forge Battery Gigafactory
Forge Battery
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Longleaf Solar Center
Duke Energy
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Knightdale Battery Storage
Duke Energy
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
WakeMed Health Rolesville Campus
WakeMed Health
|
$54M | Planned |
|
Siemens Manufacturing Expansion (Raleigh & Wendell)
Siemens
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wake County has a Boom Town Index score of 17/100, ranking #824 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.1% and a median household income of $96,734, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Wake County is $385,700 with median rent at $1,412/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2508, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.1%. Home values changed -2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.02% of Wake County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.