West Raleigh is a neighborhood of 38,626 people in Raleigh. Owners hold 24% of the housing stock. The median age is 28.8, younger than the US median of 38.9. 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. 22.7% of people here live below the federal poverty line. Density works out to 2,994 people per square mile. These figures are approximated by combining the 10 census tracts that make up West Raleigh; the Census Bureau does not tabulate data for neighborhoods directly.
At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 28.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
61% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
24% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01
Population & growth
Total population
38,626
Population density
2,994 / sq mi
US average: 281
Median age
28.8
US average: 38.9
Land area
12.9 sq mi
Section 02
Income & economy
Median household income
$68,391
US average: $82,259
Per capita income
$43,753
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.9%
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
22.7%
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.448
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration3.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03
Housing
Median home value
$392,970
US average: $376,019
Median gross rent
$1,470
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
24.4%
75.6% rent
Vacancy rate
13.4%
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.08 people
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
23.9%
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.3%
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.7
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Section 04
Race & ethnicity
2024
White, non-Hispanic61%(23,550)
Black17.5%(6,767)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(2,667)
Asian9.9%(3,819)
Other4.7%(1,823)
2024
White, non-Hispanic61%(23,550)
Black17.5%(6,767)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(2,667)
Asian9.9%(3,819)
Other4.7%(1,823)
Diversity Score
73
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
