Town · North Carolina
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Wake Forest, town, mostly in Wake County (96.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Franklin County, North Carolina. Wake Forest had 58,147 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 21.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 47,601 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 52,844 (±42). GEOID 3770540.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
58,147
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 47,601 · ACS 2020-2024: 52,844 ±42
Median household income
$123,802
±$6,456 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$474,500
±$13,300 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,596
±$105 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Wake Forest and what county is it in?
Wake Forest is a town mostly in Wake County (96.8% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Franklin County, North Carolina. It covers 19.9 square miles of land, 2,395 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wake Forest is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 46,097 | 96.8% |
| Franklin County | 1,504 | 3.2% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wake Forest, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 58,147 people lived in Wake Forest on July 1, 2025, up 21.1% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 47,601 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 52,844 (±42).
The yearly series starts from the Census Bureau's July 2020 estimate, 49,725, which differs from its April 2020 base of 48,009 (in 2020 the estimates dipped in many college and military towns), so the first step is large; the change since 2020 above is measured from the April base.
| Measure | Wake Forest | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 52,844 ±42 | 1,178,653 | +10,733 |
| Households | 18,403 ±748 | 460,175 | +3,671 |
| Average household size | 2.81 ±0.11 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 19,428 ±809 | 496,047 | +4,005 |
Wake Forest's population since 2000
From 12,588 in 2000 to 58,147 in 2025: up 361.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wake Forest as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wake Forest?
The median resident of Wake Forest is 38.6 years old; 26.5% are under 18 and 12.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.5%. 9.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wake Forest | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.6 ±1.9 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.5% ±1.8 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.8% ±1.5 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 48.2% ±1.6 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% ±1.8 pts | 11.6% | +3.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.6% ±3.7 pts | 56.2% | −9.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.5% ±3.2 pts | 18.5% | +4.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±1.1 pts | 8.5% | +1.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±1.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.5% ±1.5 pts | 15.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.5% ±1.7 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7% ±1.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 10.0% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7% ±1.5 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.4% ±1.1 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 59.5% ±3.0 pts | 57.2% | +4.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.7% ±2.5 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.0% ±3.8 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±1.2 pts | 3.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wake Forest earn?
Half of Wake Forest's 18,403 households earn less than $123,802 a year (±$6,456), against $105,768 in Wake County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $113,482 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,320 after inflation. 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wake Forest | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $123,802 ±$6,456 | $105,768 | +$10,320 |
| Mean household income | $146,479 ±$6,825 | $139,586 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,709 ±$2,328 | $55,448 | +$4,313 |
| People below the poverty line | 4.5% ±1.2 pts | 8.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.0% ±1.6 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.3% ±2.9 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.3% ±0.9 pts | 98.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.8% ±0.9 pts | 95.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wake Forest?
Owners occupy 74.0% of Wake Forest's occupied homes and renters 26.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $474,500 by its owner (±$13,300). The median renter pays $1,596 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wake Forest | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $474,500 ±$13,300 | $461,300 | +$108,615 |
| Median gross rent | $1,596 ±$105 | $1,623 | +$221 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8% ±8.3 pts | 38.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,272 ±$80 | $2,113 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.0% ±3.7 pts | 64.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 26.0% ±3.7 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Housing units | 19,428 ±809 | 496,047 | +4,005 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1% ±3.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.3% ±3.5 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 7.0% ±1.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 39.0% ±3.2 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.5% ±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.2% ±1.2 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wake Forest building?
Builders took permits for 908 new housing units in Wake Forest in 2025 (523 in single-family houses), 15.6 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wake Forest work and get to work?
64.5% of Wake Forest's workers drive alone and 28.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Wake Forest | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.0% ±2.3 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±2.4 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 64.5% ±3.0 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.1% ±1.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.1% ±0.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 28.7% ±2.8 pts | 29.1% | +16.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.9 min ±1.6 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Wake Forest?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Wake Forest, and 8 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $68,986 (Tract 542.24) to $164,542 (Tract 542.17).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 542.06Wake County | 6,360 | $91,500 |
| Tract 542.24Wake County | 5,413 | $68,986 |
| Tract 542.17Wake County | 6,155 | $164,542 |
| Tract 542.04Wake County | 5,144 | $88,269 |
| Tract 542.19Wake County | 4,600 | $136,219 |
| Tract 542.20Wake County | 6,324 | $97,856 |
| Tract 542.22Wake County | 7,763 | $158,787 |
| Tract 542.23Wake County | 3,968 | $92,813 |
| Tract 542.21Wake County | 8,475 | $158,722 |
| Tract 542.12Wake County | 7,832 | $86,372 |
| Tract 542.18Wake County | 9,699 | $111,924 |
| Tract 542.16Wake County | 5,698 | $153,309 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Wake Forest) · Census block assignment files
How does Wake Forest compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wake Forest is the 708th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 20th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Wake Forest ranks 24th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 20th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 21st | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th | 443 |
| Median household income | 24th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 66th | 443 |
| Median home value | 42nd | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 50th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 321st | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th | 421 |
| Median age | 278th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 168th | 443 |
| Work from home | 25th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 61st | 439 |
Wake Forest's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Wake Forest with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Wake Forest?
5 of the 57 figures for Wake Forest on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wake Forest are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Wake Forest.