Wake Forest, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wake Forest, North Carolina had a total population of 52,844, the 21st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $123,802, which is 71% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 71% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 59.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Wake Forest Quick Facts
How Wake Forest Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,199 | 52,844 | +3.2% |
| Median household income | $120,777 | $123,802 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $435,000 | $474,500 | +9.1% |
How Wake Forest Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wake Forest Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | 5.7% | $580,200 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | 2.3% | $576,100 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | 8.4% | $355,000 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | 5.3% | $380,100 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
Cities Similar to Wake Forest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooresville | 52,381 | $89,647 | $390,900 | 45.5% | 7.3% |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | $535,800 | 67.3% | 4.8% |
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | $472,900 | 57.5% | 3.1% |
| Indian Trail | 42,036 | $108,483 | $385,000 | 40.2% | 5.3% |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | $451,500 | 54.0% | 8.2% |
Population Overview
Wake Forest is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 52,844. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wake Forest is 38.6 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wake Forest is $123,802. This is 71% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 53% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 66% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $474,500. Housing costs are 64% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 74.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wake Forest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.5%.
Education
59.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wake Forest in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 67% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.4%. Notably, 23.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wake Forest, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wake Forest, North Carolina?
Wake Forest, North Carolina has a population of 52,844 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wake Forest, NC?
The median household income in Wake Forest is $123,802, which is 53% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wake Forest, NC?
The poverty rate in Wake Forest is 4.5%. This means approximately 2,320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wake Forest, North Carolina?
Wake Forest's population is 64.6% White, 19.5% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wake Forest, NC?
The median home value in Wake Forest is $474,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Wake Forest, North Carolina?
59.5% of adults (25+) in Wake Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.