The demographic information presented here is intended to provide a basic snapshot of Wake County. Data is used extensively by the county to guide decision making when crafting policy and allocating resources to meet the goals set by the Board of Commissioners.
To learn more about Wake County, visit the quick facts page from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Wake County Population is Growing
More than 1.2 million people call Wake County home. The county is growing by approximately 66 people per day, netting more than 103,000 people since 2020.
The demographic makeup of this growth includes older people moving to this region. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates (April 2020–July 2023), 52% of Wake County's population growth came from people aged 55 and older.
Development Trends and Future Needs
There were a total of 9,472 permits issued in 2024 in Wake County. The City of Raleigh issued the most residential building permits (1,494). In 2023, 8,679 permits were issued in Wake County.
The need for housing continues to outpace supply, and this is causing prices to rise. With changing demographics and the trend of shrinking household size, it is projected Wake County will need an additional 125,000 to 175,000 new housing units over the next 10 to 15 years (PLANWake Comprehensive Plan, 2021).