MenuRaleigh Demographics
Raleigh, the Capital City of North Carolina, is the second largest city in North Carolina, the seat of government for Wake County, and central to one of the fastest growing areas in the country. The demographic data below, taken directly from the United States Census Bureau, introduces reference points for an exploration of Raleigh's development, past and future. Data is organized and called out below as "Gateways", as a start to an exploration of the City of Raleigh.
To further investigate Raleigh's development, there are city websites listed in the left column and, on the right, links to related data and analysis. In each "Demographic Gateway" below, there are also links to relevant websites of partner organizations. As the city grows, so grows our shared understandings through collective exploration and exchange.
Geography
Land Area
City of Raleigh: 144.39 square miles / 92,409 square acres
Raleigh Planning Jurisdiction: 183.84 square miles / 117,658 square acres
The City of Raleigh provides Planning and Development services beyond the City Limits into an area prescribed in state law as the city's "Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction" or "ETJ".
Raleigh Utilities Service Area: Approximately 280 square miles / 179,200 square acres
The City of Raleigh provides water and sewer services for the municipalities of Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon.
Wake County: 857 square miles / 548,480 square acres
Geographic Characteristics
Elevation: 434 feet / 132 meters above sea level
Average annual high temperature: 73.3 F / 22.9 C
Average annual low temperature: 52.1 F / 11.2 C
Annual precipitation: 47.64 inches / 121 centimeters
Annual snowfall: 0.9 inches / 2.286 centimeters
(Source: State Climate Office of North Carolina July 2011-June 2012)
9,494 acres of parks and greenways
75.2 miles greenway trails
Reference Maps
City of Raleigh Map Gallery
Online Mapping - iMAPS
Wake County and Surrounding Area Maps
Population
City of Raleigh: 416,468
Wake County: 929,780
North Carolina: 9,656,401
(Source: Census Population Estimates Program, July 2011)
For a more detailed breakdown from the April 2010 Census numbers, please see the 2010 Census Profile Data
.
Comparison information for past decenial data is also available in the column on the right under 'Census Tract Charts'.
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the three primary cities of the Research Triangle metropolitan region. The Research Triangle region encompasses the U.S. Census Bureau's Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of Raleigh-Durham-Cary in the central Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area (CSA): 1,795,750 people (Source: Census Population Estimates Program, July 2011)
Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): 1,163,515 people (Source: Census Population Estimates Program, July 2011)
Demographic Composition of the City of Raleigh
Male: - 48.2%*
Female: - 51.8%*
* Percent of the total City of Raleigh population of 403,892, per April 2010 Census count)
Under 18 years of age: 93,236 people (23% of total city population, 2010 Census)
62 years of age and over: 42,307 people (10.5% of total city population, 2010 Census)
Median age, across the City of Raleigh: 31.9 years of age
Group Quarters Population (such as Dormitories, Supportive Housing, Jails): 19,526 people (4.8% of total city population)
Total Households: 162,999, housing 384,366 people (95.2% of total city population)
Average Household Size: 2.36 people
Family Households*: 91,186 (55.9% of total households)
* "Family Household" as defined by the U.S. Census consist of a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption.
Family households with related children under 18 years: 47,218 (29% of total households)
Average Family Size: 3.06 people
Education and Enrollment
Percentage high school graduate or higher: 91.7% of adults
Percentage Bachelor's degree or higher: 46.2% of adults
Wake County Public Schools Enrollment (2012-2013): 149,508 students
Higher Education Enrollment (2012-2013)
Meredith College: 2,175
North Carolina State University: 35,000
Saint Augustine's University: 1,506
Shaw University: 2,702
Wake Technical Community College Total Enrollment: 66,042
William Peace University: 791
Income (2010 Estimate)
City of Raleigh, Household Income: $49,931
Wake County, Houshold Income: $61,426
Raleigh-Cary MSA Median Household Income: $53,427 (MSA = Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Raleigh-Durham-Cary Region CSA Median Income: $55,647 (CSA = Combined Statistical Area)
Comparison data can be obtained through partner agencies such as Wake County.
Housing
Total Housing Units: (2010 Census) 176,124 units
162,299 units are estimated as occupied (approximately 92%)
75,715 housing units are estimated to be rental units (approximately 47%)
Housing Type (Review of Corporate Limits - July 2012)
Single Family Units: 61.7%
Multi-family Units: 38.3%
Housing Costs
Median Contract Rent: $656
Average Home Sale Price: $229,863
(Source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Cost of Living Index, Third Quarter 2012)
For additional economic indicators, please see the City of Raleigh Economic Development Program at http://www.investraleigh.com
