Wake Forest is a city of 52,844 people in North Carolina. The population has more than tripled since 2000, adding 40,256 people. This is an unusually credentialed place: 60% of adults have a four-year degree. Households here earn about 71% more than in North Carolina as a whole. Few US cities rank higher on income. The median household earns $123,802, about 51% above the national median.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $123,802, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
60% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 83%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Wake Forest
What changed most since 1990
Population5,769 → 52,844(+816%)US over the same years: +35%
Median home value (2024 dollars)$183,845 → $474,500(+158%)US over the same years: +67%
Homes owned by their occupants55.3% → 74.0%(+18.7 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
Wake Forest's population equals 4.5% of Wake County's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 2.5% of the county's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 2.8% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)28.1%(836)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)37.5%(1,117)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era25.9%(771)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War2.7%(81)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 2,975 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Wake Forest, decade by decade
Wake Forest population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
5,769
$66,664
$183,845
30.9%
47.2
2000
12,588
$95,285
$258,857
43.0%
44.5
2010
30,117
$99,581
$346,552
50.2%
53.1
2020
47,601
$121,400
$380,823
55.5%
64.0
2024
52,844
$123,802
$474,500
59.5%
66.7
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Wake Forest, North Carolina?
Wake Forest, North Carolina has about 52,844 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Wake Forest, North Carolina?
The typical household in Wake Forest, North Carolina earns about $123,802 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Wake Forest, North Carolina expensive?
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $474,500, and the typical rent is about $1,596 a month.
How educated are people in Wake Forest, North Carolina?
About 59.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wake Forest, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Wake Forest, North Carolina?
About 4.5% of people in Wake Forest, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Wake Forest, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Wake Forest, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 47,075 residents, a change of about 816 percent over that period.
