Town · North Carolina
Wendell, North Carolina
Wendell, town, in Wake County, North Carolina. Wendell had 19,687 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 100.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,793 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,064 (±29). GEOID 3771860.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,687
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,793 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,064 ±29
Median household income
$95,787
±$17,543 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$330,500
±$23,355 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,457
±$159 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Wendell and what county is it in?
Wendell is a town in Wake County, North Carolina. It covers 9.4 square miles of land, 1,040 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wendell is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wendell, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 19,687 people lived in Wendell on July 1, 2025, up 100.1% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 9,793 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,064 (±29).
| Measure | Wendell | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,064 ±29 | 1,178,653 | +5,756 |
| Households | 4,957 ±511 | 460,175 | +2,271 |
| Average household size | 2.63 ±0.27 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,198 ±558 | 496,047 | +2,370 |
Wendell's population since 2000
From 4,247 in 2000 to 19,687 in 2025: up 363.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wendell 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 Wendell?
The median resident of Wendell is 38.0 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 15.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 47.6%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 24.5%. 13.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wendell | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 ±2.4 | 37.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.7% ±3.7 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.6% ±3.5 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 46.7% ±3.8 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 24.4% ±6.4 pts | 11.6% | +10.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 47.6% ±6.2 pts | 56.2% | −9.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 24.5% ±5.2 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±1.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.5% ±3.9 pts | 15.3% | +7.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 18.5% ±4.6 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.0% ±3.7 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 16.0% ±3.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.8% ±4.4 pts | 7.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8% ±3.3 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.2% ±6.9 pts | 57.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.3% ±3.7 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.1% ±4.4 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6% ±1.9 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 Wendell earn?
Half of Wendell's 4,957 households earn less than $95,787 a year (±$17,543), against $105,768 in Wake County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $72,901 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $22,886 after inflation. 3.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wendell | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $95,787 ±$17,543 | $105,768 | +$22,886 |
| Mean household income | $110,108 ±$11,566 | $139,586 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,514 ±$3,364 | $55,448 | +$9,346 |
| People below the poverty line | 3.2% ±1.8 pts | 8.1% | −16.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 2.1% ±3.5 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.1% ±5.1 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.8% ±6.6 pts | 98.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0% ±6.7 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 Wendell?
Owners occupy 78.2% of Wendell's occupied homes and renters 21.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $330,500 by its owner (±$23,355). The median renter pays $1,457 a month including utilities, and 38.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wendell | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $330,500 ±$23,355 | $461,300 | +$94,945 |
| Median gross rent | $1,457 ±$159 | $1,623 | +$271 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.9% ±16.4 pts | 38.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,722 ±$108 | $2,113 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.2% ±6.6 pts | 64.1% | +12.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 21.8% ±6.6 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Housing units | 5,198 ±558 | 496,047 | +2,370 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 13.7% ±11.4 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.6% ±5.9 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 16.2% ±4.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 33.8% ±7.8 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.1% ±2.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±4.0 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 Wendell building?
Builders took permits for 1,363 new housing units in Wendell in 2025 (853 in single-family houses), 69.2 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 Wendell work and get to work?
65.8% of Wendell's workers drive alone and 25.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.0 minutes.
| Measure | Wendell | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 73.6% ±4.5 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 65.8% ±6.5 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.8% ±3.9 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 25.9% ±6.0 pts | 29.1% | +10.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.0 min ±2.4 | 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 Wendell?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Wendell, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $77,396 (Tract 544.04) to $101,094 (Tract 544.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 544.02Wake County | 11,458 | $101,094 |
| Tract 544.04Wake County | 8,076 | $77,396 |
| Tract 544.03Wake County | 3,957 | $76,385 |
| Tract 541.08Wake County | 8,943 | $86,667 |
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 Wendell) · Census block assignment files
How does Wendell compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wendell is the 1,970th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 55th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Wendell ranks 69th 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 | 55th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 1st | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 178th | 443 |
| Median household income | 69th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 109th | 443 |
| Median home value | 136th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 70th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 334th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 132nd | 421 |
| Median age | 292nd | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 138th | 443 |
| Work from home | 40th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 87th | 439 |
Wendell's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Wendell 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 Wendell?
15 of the 57 figures for Wendell 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 Wendell 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 Wendell.