Wake County, North Carolina
Wake County: county in North Carolina, United States
About
Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 and a population density of 1,051 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 1,132,271 inhabitants. Its county seat is Raleigh. The county was created 255 years ago in 1770.
County Snapshot
Wake County at a glance
Wake County currently has 13 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.
Mapped populated places
13
These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.
North Carolina counties
100
Open related pagesLargest city
RaleighPopulation 474,414
Top linked places
Quick Facts about Wake County
| Population | 1,132,271 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | North Carolina (United States) |
| Instagram username | wakegov |
| Twitter username | wakegov |
| Area | 857 km2 |
| Water as percent of area | 2.6% |
| Land as percent of area | 97.4% |
| Latitude & Longitude | 35.7901,-78.6502 |
| Named for | William Tryon |
| Altitude | 312 feet / 95 meters |
| Capital | Raleigh |
| Establishment | January 01, 1771 |
| Time Zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 19:43:10 (15th April 2026) |
| Density | 1,321 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 20.43% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 92℉ Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Wake County is located at 35°47'24"N 78°39'1"W (35.7901200, -78.6502200). It has 7 neighbors: Chatham County, Durham County, Franklin County, Granville County, Harnett County, Johnston County and Nash County.
Wake County map
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The largest city of Wake County is Raleigh with a population of 474,414. Other cities include, Cary population 173,587, Apex population 64,388, Wake Forest population 47,314 and Garner population 32,180. See all Wake County cities & populated places.
Wake County Populated Places
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Wake County.
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 474,414 | The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education. |
| Cary | 173,587 | Town in North Carolina, United States |
| Apex | 64,388 | The most populous city in Wake County, North Carolina. |
| Wake Forest | 47,314 | Town located in the U. |
| Garner | 32,180 | Town in North Carolina, United States |
| Fuquay-Varina | 32,145 | City in North Carolina |
| Holly Springs | 31,377 | City in and county seat of Marshall County, Mississippi, United States |
| Morrisville | 30,495 | Town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States |
| Knightdale | 18,122 | City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America |
| Wendell | 9,387 | Town in North Carolina, United States |
| Rolesville | 8,882 | City in Wake County, North Carolina, United States of America |
| Zebulon | 6,514 | City in Pike County, Georgia, United States |
| Green Level | 2,158 | City in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States of America |
- Raleigh
Demographics
The population of Wake County increased by 20.43% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 900,993 | - | census |
| 2011 | 928,787 | 2.99% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 952,060 | 2.44% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 974,198 | 2.27% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 997,788 | 2.36% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 1,022,319 | 2.4% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 1,048,335 | 2.48% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 1,071,706 | 2.18% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 1,091,273 | 1.79% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 1,111,761 | 1.84% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 1,132,271 | 1.81% | estimation process |
People born in Wake County (9)
People born in Wake County, including politician Abraham Rencher, politician Van. H. Manning, Evangelist and Baptist minister Len G. Broughton, .
More notable people
- W. C. Riddick (American football coach, college administrator) he was born in 04/08/1864
- William W. Wood (United States Navy Engineer) he was born in 30/05/1818
- Darren Jackson (American politician) he was born in 29/06/1970
- Anne Robertson Johnson Cockrill (American pioneer, landowner) she was born in 10/02/1757
- Wesley N. Jones (American politician) he was born in 02/07/1852
- Oliver H. Allen (American lawyer and superior court judge) he was born in 20/03/1850
North Carolina Other Counties (more counties)
| County Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg County | 1,128,945 | County in North Carolina, United States |
| Charlotte | 900,350 | The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area. |
| Guilford County | 540,521 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
| Raleigh | 474,414 | The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education. |
| Forsyth County | 383,843 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
| West Raleigh | 338,759 | A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina. |
| Cumberland County | 336,364 | County in Maine, United States |
| Durham County | 327,306 | County in North Carolina, United States of America |
| Greensboro | 297,878 | The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area. |
| Durham | 285,897 | The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area. |
| Buncombe County | 263,477 | County in North Carolina, United States |
| Winston-Salem | 248,112 | The fifth most populous city in North Carolina. |
| Union County | 244,562 | County in North Carolina, United States |
| New Hanover County | 236,613 | County in North Carolina, United States |
| Gaston County | 226,568 | County in North Carolina, United States |
| Cabarrus County | 221,479 | County in North Carolina, United States |