Wake County, NC

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Population

1.07M

2.43% growth

Median Age

36.2


Median Household Income

$77,318

1.6% growth

Poverty Rate

10.1%


Number of Employees

569,680

2.58% growth

Median Property Value

$276,000

2.83% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Wake County, NC had a population of 1.07M people with a median age of 36.2 and a median household income of $77,318. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Wake County, NC grew from 1.05M to 1.07M, a 2.43% increase and its median household income grew from $76,097 to $77,318, a 1.6% increase.

The population of Wake County, NC is 59.9% White Alone, 19.6% Black or African American Alone, and 10.2% Hispanic or Latino. 16.4% of the people in Wake County, NC speak a non-English language, and 91.5% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wake County, NC are North Carolina State University at Raleigh (8,924 degrees awarded in 2016), Wake Technical Community College (4,311 degrees), and MyComputerCareer.com-Raleigh (588 degrees).

The median property value in Wake County, NC is $276,000, and the homeownership rate is 65.4%. Most people in Wake County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 23 minutes. The average car ownership in Wake County, NC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Neuse River Greenway in Raleigh, North Carolina

Photo by James Willamor

United StatesNorth CarolinaRaleigh, NC

Economy

The economy of Wake County, NC employs 570k people. The largest industries in Wake County, NC are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (82,947 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (70,380 people), and Educational Services (52,117 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($128,726), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($81,654), and Manufacturing ($71,001).

Median household income in Wake County, NC is $77,318. Males in Wake County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,208. The income inequality in Wake County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$77,318

2017 value

± $2,446

1.6%

1 Year Growth

± 4.1%

Households in Wake County, NC have a median annual income of $77,318, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $76,097 in 2016, which represents a 1.6% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Wake County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$62,048

Average Male Salary

± $1,147

$46,208

Average Female Salary

± $809

In 2017, full-time male employees in Wake County, NC made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Wake County, NC by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $63,340 ± $4,747

  2. White

    $51,739 ± $820

  3. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $47,717 ± $31,159

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wake County, NC workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.22 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Wake County, NC by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wake County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.474

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.293% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2017 the GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 538.05

  2. Census Tract 538.03

  3. Census Tract 517

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wake County, NC was Census Tract 538.05 with a value of $165,357, followed by Census Tract 538.03 and Census Tract 517, with respective values of $162,961 and $160,000.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Wake County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wake County, NC (101k out of 1M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    51,640 ± 1,824

  2. Black

    31,543 ± 1,465

  3. Hispanic

    25,215 ± 1,331

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wake County, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

570k

2017 Value

± 13,880

2.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.35%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Wake County, NC grew at a rate of 2.58%, from 555k employees to 570k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wake County, NC, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (43,358 people), Software Developers & Programmers (22,084 people), and Other Business Operations Specialists (17,763 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wake County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Wake County, NC, by number of employees, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (43,358 people), Software Developers & Programmers (22,084 people), and Other Business Operations Specialists (17,763 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wake County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Preschool & Kinder (5.94 times higher than expected), Database & Systems Administrators & Network Architects (2.93 times), and Life & Physical Scientists (2.9 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wake County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($86,191), Management Occupations ($81,386), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($80,765).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

570k

2017 Value

± 13,880

2.58%

1 Year growth

± 3.35%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Wake County, NC grew at a rate of 2.58%, from 555k employees to 570k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wake County, NC, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (82,947 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (70,380 people), and Educational Services (52,117 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wake County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Wake County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Wake County, NC, by number of employees, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (82,947 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (70,380 people), and Educational Services (52,117 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Wake County, NC has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.95 times higher than expected), Information (1.33 times), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (1.28 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Wake County, NC, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($128,726), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($81,654), and Manufacturing ($71,001).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $50.4B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $35.3B

  3. Machinery

    $34.5B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals with $35.3B and Machinery and $34.5B.

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$407B

2015 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. South Carolina

    $25.6B

  2. Georgia

    $25.4B

  3. Virginia

    $25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

90.9% of the population of Wake County, NC has health coverage, with 58.4% on employee plans, 10.3% on Medicaid, 8.15% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 1.01% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Wake County, NC was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see 1169 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.776% increase from the previous year (1160 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1464 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 377 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,169 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Wake County, NC see an average of 1,169 patients per year. This represents a 0.776% increase from the previous year (1,160 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wake County, NC in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

9.15%

Uninsured

58.4%

Employer Coverage

10.3%

Medicaid

8.15%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

1.01%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wake County, NC grew by 20.7% from 7.58% to 9.15%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wake County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Wake County, NC is home to a population of 1.07M people, from which 91.5% are citizens. As of 2017, 12.7% of Wake County, NC residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Wake County, NC is composed of 642k White Alone residents (59.9%), 210k Black or African American Alone residents (19.6%), 110k Hispanic or Latino residents (10.2%), 76.2k Asian Alone residents (7.1%), 24.9k Two or More Races residents (2.32%), 6.04k Some Other Race Alone residents (0.563%), 2.64k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.246%), and 425 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0396%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Wake County, NC are Spanish or Spanish Creole (78,445 speakers), Other Asian Languages (13,991 speakers), and Chinese (8,882 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

35

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

40

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.1

In 2017, the median age of all people in Wake County, NC was 36.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Wake County, NC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Wake County, NC residents was 36.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

12.7%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

12.4%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 12.7% of Wake County, NC residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wake County, NC was 12.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wake County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    237,569 ± 11,827 people

  2. India

    71,743 ± 6,553 people

  3. Honduras

    36,265 ± 4,667 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wake County, NC was Mexico, the natal country of 237,569 Wake County, NC residents, followed by India with 71,743 and Honduras with 36,265.

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Citizenship

91.5%

2017 Citizenship

92.6%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 91.5% of Wake County, NC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Wake County, NC was 92.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wake County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    642k ± 2.24k

  2. Black or African American Alone

    210k ± 4.17k

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    110k ± 9.81k

In 2017, there were 3.05 times more White Alone residents (642k people) in Wake County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 210k Black or African American Alone and 110k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Wake County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    78,445 speakers (8.18%)

  2. Other Asian Languages

    13,991 speakers (1.46%)

  3. Chinese

    8,882 speakers (0.926%)

16.4% of Wake County, NC citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Wake County, NC was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 8.18% of the overall population of Wake County, NC are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 1.46% speak Other Asian Languages and 0.926% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    13,743 ± 1,381

  2. Gulf War (1990s)

    11,421 ± 1,911

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    10,293 ± 2,058

Wake County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.2 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Wake County, NC awarded 16,899 degrees. The student population of Wake County, NC is skewed towards women, with 34,696 male students and 36,819 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wake County, NC are White (9,551 and 61.9%), followed by Black or African American (2,742 and 17.8%), Unknown (1,181 and 7.65%), and Hispanic or Latino (906 and 5.87%).

The largest universities in Wake County, NC by number of degrees awarded are North Carolina State University at Raleigh (8,924 and 52.8%), Wake Technical Community College (4,311 and 25.5%), and MyComputerCareer.com-Raleigh (588 and 3.48%).

The most popular majors in Wake County, NC are General Business Administration & Management (1,537 and 9.1%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,199 and 7.1%), and Computer Systems Networking & Telecommunications (564 and 3.34%).

The median tuition costs in Wake County, NC are $12,890 for private four year colleges, and $6,407 and $23,926 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    759 degrees awarded

  2. General Biological Sciences

    418 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    295 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Wake County, NC was General Business Administration & Management with 759 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Wake County, NC according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    8,924 degrees awarded

  2. Wake Technical Community College

    4,311 degrees awarded

  3. MyComputerCareer.com-Raleigh

    588 degrees awarded

$6,407

Median In-State Public

$12,890

Median Private

In 2016, the Wake County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was North Carolina State University at Raleigh with 8,924 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

8,265

Degrees Awarded to Men

8,634

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 8,265 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wake County, NC, which is 0.957 times less than the 8,634 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Wake County, NC by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    9,551 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    2,742 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    1,181 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Wake County, NC were to White students. These 9,551 degrees mean that there were 3.48 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,742 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Wake County, NC was $276,000 in 2017, which is 1.27 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $268,400 to $276,000, a 2.83% increase. The homeownership rate in Wake County, NC is 65.4%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Wake County, NC have an average commute time of 23 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Wake County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$77,318

Median Household Income

± $2,446

400k

Number of Households

± 10,347

In 2017, the median household income of the 400k households in Wake County, NC grew to $77,318 from the previous year's value of $76,097.

The following chart displays the households in Wake County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Housing

Property Value

$276,000

2017 Median

± $5,623

$268,400

2016 Median

± $5,619

In 2017, the median property value in Wake County, NC grew to to $276,000 from the previous year's value of $268,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Wake County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wake County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Wake County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wake County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

65.4%

2017 Homeownership

62.5%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 65.4% of the housing units in Wake County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 62.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Wake County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wake County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wake County, NC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

23 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wake County, NC have a shorter commute time (23 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 1.67% of the workforce in Wake County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wake County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.6%

  2. Worked At Home

    9.68%

  3. Carpooled

    7.54%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Wake County, NC was Drove Alone, followed by those who Worked At Home and those who Carpooled.

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