1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wake County household earns $105,768, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Wake County
- The Wake County job picture
- How much Wake County households make
- Renting and owning in Wake County
- Wake County towns compared
- The counties around Wake County
- Budget math at the Wake County median
- What the numbers mean for Wake County borrowers
- People and households in Wake County
- Before you sign
- North Carolina rules that apply in Wake County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wake County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wake County's population at 1,178,653, the largest in North Carolina. It covers 835 square miles of land, or about 1,412 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (12 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Raleigh, with about 481,031 residents, or 41% of the county.
The Wake County job picture
The biggest employer of Wake County residents, by industry, is professional and administrative services at 22% of workers, followed by education and health care (21%). Professional and administrative services stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.1% in Wake County. About 61% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.4% of the total (5.3% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Wake County workers | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 22.3% | +9.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.7% | -1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -2.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% | -2.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.3% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -1.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Wake County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Wake County households make
Wake County households have a median income of $105,768 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 1st of 100 in North Carolina.
| Households earning | Wake County | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.0% | -9.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 33.6% | -7.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.6% | +6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 20.9% | +10.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 52% of Wake County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. Census counts 8.1% of Wake County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Wake County median.
Renting and owning in Wake County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,623 in Wake County versus $1,228 statewide. By the Census definition, 48% of Wake County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $461,300, or 4.4 years of median income. 64% of Wake County households own their home and 36% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 2000.
| Home costs | Wake County | North Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,623/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $461,300 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 13% | n/a |
Wake County towns compared
12 Census places fall mainly inside Wake County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 988,194 residents, leaving about 16% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $78,756 in Garner to $149,565 in Rolesville. Median rent ranges from $1,085 in Rolesville to $2,021 in Holly Springs. City guides exist for the linked Wake County places; everyone else in the county can use this page.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | city | 481,031 | $85,395 | $1,572 | 3 mi |
| Cary | town | 179,306 | $134,905 | $1,738 | 10 mi |
| Apex | town | 70,630 | $144,135 | $1,902 | 14 mi |
| Wake Forest | town | 52,844 | $123,802 | $1,596 | 14 mi |
| Holly Springs | town | 45,248 | $135,578 | $2,021 | 14 mi |
| Fuquay-Varina | town | 40,485 | $115,497 | $1,720 | 15 mi |
| Garner | town | 34,473 | $78,756 | $1,549 | 7 mi |
| Morrisville | town | 31,422 | $125,396 | $1,858 | 11 mi |
| Knightdale | town | 20,214 | $103,220 | $1,674 | 9 mi |
| Wendell | town | 13,064 | $95,787 | $1,457 | 17 mi |
| Rolesville | town | 10,766 | $149,565 | $1,085 | 14 mi |
| Zebulon | town | 8,711 | $79,112 | $1,109 | 19 mi |
The counties around Wake County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 34 miles). Chatham County leads the group on income ($94,317), Harnett County trails ($71,287), and Wake County out-earns 6 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | - | $105,768 | $1,623/mo | 64% |
| Durham County, NC | 21 mi | $82,316 | $1,508/mo | 55% |
| Johnston County, NC | 25 mi | $83,384 | $1,146/mo | 76% |
| Franklin County, NC | 29 mi | $74,240 | $1,083/mo | 79% |
| Harnett County, NC | 32 mi | $71,287 | $1,112/mo | 71% |
| Orange County, NC | 32 mi | $90,089 | $1,496/mo | 64% |
| Chatham County, NC | 34 mi | $94,317 | $1,180/mo | 81% |
Budget math at the Wake County median
Wake County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $8,814 a month: gross income for a household at the Wake County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,623)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,462 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $2,343 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Wake County's.
What the numbers mean for Wake County borrowers
What the Wake County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidation math. With 52% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Wake County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Consolidating cards in Wake County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
People and households in Wake County
Degree holders: 57% of adults over 25. 7.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Wake County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.3 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 57.2% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.5% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 29.1% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.1% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Wake County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
North Carolina rules that apply in Wake County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wake County resident can confirm its license with the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
Related local guides
City guides inside Wake County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Wake County?
$105,768 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $72,388 for North Carolina. It ranks 1st of 100 in the state.
Is Wake County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,623 against $1,228 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Wake County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Holly Springs and 7 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Wake County or elsewhere in North Carolina, the same rules apply.
Where can someone in Wake County check a lender's license?
With the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.