Raleigh
RANK #940 / 996 NAT · #49 / 51 NC · POP 1,132,103
1YR FORECAST: -1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +9%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Wake County scores just 5/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #940 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.1% and median household income of $96,734 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Wake County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $385,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,412/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Wake County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted -2.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wake County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.