Fast Facts

Wake County by the Numbers

Wake County by the Numbers highlights general statistics of interest for each demographic area (population, housing, education, economy, transportation and land development). The data below reflects the most current information available in June 2011.

Population:
2011 Projected population: 932,665
2012 Projected population: 958,015
2013 Projected population: 983,367
2014 Projected population: 1,008,719

In July 2009, Wake County had 74,382 residents over
the age of 65, for a total of 8.3% of the population.  This is an increase from 46,734 and 7.4% in 2000. 

Housing
2009 Housing units: 361,078*
2009 Vacancy rate: 9.0%*
2010 Average residential property value: $264,638** (County)
2009 Average household size: 2.67 people/household*
2009 Housing density: 421.3 units/sq. mile

Education
2010–11 WCPSS membership: 143,289
2008–09 Number of WCPSS schools: 163; number of charter schools: 13
2011–12 WCPSS 20th-Day student projection: 146,657
2009 Adult population with B.A. or higher: 48% *

Economy
2009 Median family income: $82,074*
2009 Median household income: $63,609*
2009 Population below poverty line: 10%*
2010 Unemployment rate: 7.5%**** (December 2010)
2010–11 Tax base components:
Commercial: 28%**
Residential: 72%**

Transportation
2009 Commuters who drive alone: 89%*
2009 Average commute time: 24.2 minutes*
2009 Commuters taking public transportation: 1.1%*
2009 Commuters carpooling: 9.3%*
2009 Commuters walking: 1.7%*
2009 Residents who worked from home: 29,706*

Land Development
Wake County proper: 857 square miles
2011 (January) Municipal jurisdiction: 455 square miles
2011-(January) County planning jurisdiction: 402 square miles
2010 New countywide residential permits: 3,744; New commercial/industrial permits: 116**

* 2009 U.S. Census Bureau
** Wake County Revenue
*** Triangle Transit
**** NC Employment Security Commission