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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Wake Forest

North Carolina · 12,588 residents · 19.636 sq mi
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The short version

Wake Forest is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $52,307. The city has more than doubled in size since 1990, adding 6,819 residents. 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $142,100. Households here earn about 33% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 31.5
US median: 35.2
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,588
+118%since 1990
from 5,769 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
641 / sq mi
+118%since 1990
from 294 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
31.5
−2%since 1990
from 32.0 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K15K29K43K58K1990201020202024Wake Forest
202453K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,307
+43%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $27,776 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,746
+83%since 1990
from $12,399 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
8.8%
−0.5 ptssince 1990
from 9.3% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,100
+41%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $76,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$652
+33%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $372 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
63.1%
+7.8 ptssince 1990
from 55.3% in 1990
36.9% rent
Afford Score
2.7
−1%since 1990
from 2.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wake Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic75.7%(4,370)
Black23.6%(1,360)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(51)
Asian0.1%(7)
Diversity Score47.7%(2,751)
2000
White, non-Hispanic78.6%(9,897)
Black15.7%(1,978)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(262)
Asian2%(255)
Diversity Score42%(5,284)
Diversity Score
42
−12%since 1990
from 48 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.0%
+12.2 ptssince 1990
from 30.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
89.3%
+11.0 ptssince 1990
from 78.3% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
10.7%
+3.3 ptssince 1990
from 7.4% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
−2%since 1990
from 22.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Wake Forest

Brookhaven
Pop 59,643
Dunwoody
Pop 51,792
Horizon West
Pop 67,416
Wellington
Pop 62,662
Places similar to Wake Forest
Head to head

Compare Wake Forest to nearby cities

WAKE FOREST VS
Rolesville
Income$149,565+186%
Home value$535,000+276%
Population12,839−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Raleigh
Income$85,395+63%
Home value$415,800+193%
Population506,306+771%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Knightdale
Income$103,220+97%
Home value$380,100+167%
Population23,144−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+51%
Home value$320,700+126%
Population11,933−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wake Forest, North Carolina?

Wake Forest, North Carolina has about 12,588 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Wake Forest, North Carolina?

The typical household in Wake Forest, North Carolina earns about $52,307 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 $142,100, and the typical rent is about $652 a month.

How educated are people in Wake Forest, North Carolina?

About 43.0% 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 8.8% 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 6,819 residents, a change of about 118 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →