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CITY · 2020 ACS

Wake Forest

North Carolina · 47,601 residents · 19.636 sq mi
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The short version

Wake Forest is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $100,162. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 35,013 residents. 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $314,200. Poverty is rare here, at 4.0% of residents. Households here earn about 77% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
55% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
47,601
+278%since 2000
from 12,588 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,424 / sq mi
+278%since 2000
from 641 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.7
+20%since 2000
from 31.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K15K29K43K58K1990201020202024Wake Forest
202453K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$100,162
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,307 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,217
+77%since 2000
from $22,746 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
62.3%
+16.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 10%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$314,200
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $142,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,190
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $652 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.5%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
27.5% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+15%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wake Forest on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.6%(9,897)
Black15.7%(1,978)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(262)
Asian2%(255)
Other0%
Diversity Score42%(5,284)
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.4%(32,087)
Black15.7%(7,480)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(3,769)
Asian3.7%(1,751)
Other3.8%(1,808)
Diversity Score62.1%(29,575)
Diversity Score
62
+48%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
55.5%
+12.4 ptssince 2000
from 43.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.1%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
19.0%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.9 min
+41%since 2000
from 22.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 80.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 71.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
58.9%
−11.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
52.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
6.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.2%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Wake Forest

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Pop 59,643
Dunwoody
Pop 51,792
Horizon West
Pop 67,416
Wellington
Pop 62,662
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Head to head

Compare Wake Forest to nearby cities

WAKE FOREST VS
Rolesville
Income$149,565+49%
Home value$535,000+70%
Population12,839−78%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Raleigh
Income$85,395−15%
Home value$415,800+32%
Population506,306+771%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Knightdale
Income$103,220+3%
Home value$380,100+21%
Population23,144−60%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WAKE FOREST VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112−21%
Home value$320,700+2%
Population11,933−79%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wake Forest, North Carolina?

Wake Forest, North Carolina has about 47,601 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wake Forest, North Carolina earns about $100,162 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 $314,200, and the typical rent is about $1,190 a month.

How educated are people in Wake Forest, North Carolina?

About 55.5% 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 4.0% 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 41,832 residents, a change of about 725 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 →