Wake
North Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Wake County: the share working from home is among the highest in America (22%), violent crime is among the lowest in America (2.7 per 1,000), and home internet speed is in the top 2% of American counties (318 Mbps). Within North Carolina it ranks 1st of 100 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Wake County, North Carolina. 1,132,103 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population grew 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +7,401).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $96,734 a year, higher than 96% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $76,807. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 63% of American counties. 22% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,860 a year.

Home

The median home costs $483K, pricier than 92% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,385 a month. Property tax is 0.75% of home value, roughly $2,894 a year on that median home, lower than 60% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.2 years, longer than 96% of American counties. There are 3,717 active physicians in the county, about 32.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.7 of 5 stars. 7.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.34 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 83% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 27 points. 83% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 61°F, highs near 72 and lows near 50, warmer than 71% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 94 out of 100, riskier than 94% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 318 Mbps down, faster than 98% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 28 breweries, 13 museums.