Census & Population

Wake County grew by 36,381 people (100 per day) in the last year according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released March 19, 2009. The County's population rose to 866,410 as of July 2008, which represents a population increase of 4.4 percent for the period of July 2007 to July 2008. That number translates to the seventh largest numerical growth in the nation (the largest numerical growth in North Carolina), making Wake the 57th largest county nationally. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, grew by 26,714 people and had the 15th largest numerical growth nationally. Wake surpassed New Haven County, Conn., Hamilton County, Ohio, and Duval County, Fla.

Population Growth

The following chart shows population growth since 1960 and projected growth out to 2012:

Source of Population Projection (Wake County Planning Department, March 19, 2009)

Year	Population	Source
1960	169,082	US Census – April 1
1970	229,006	US Census – April 1
1980	301,429	US Census – April 1
1990	426,311	US Census – April 1
2000	633,229	US Census – July 1
2001	658,988	US Census – July 1
2002	680,159	US Census – July 1
2003	701,058	US Census – July 1
2004	722,817	US Census – July 1
2005	753,589	US Census – July 1
2006	791,214	US Census – July 1
2007	830,029	US Census – July 1
2008	866,410	US Census – July 1
2009	902,689	Projected – Wake County Planning
2010	940,122	Projected – Wake County Planning
2011	979,897	Projected – Wake County Planning
2012	1,019,398	Projected – Wake County Planning