Back to Explorer

Wake County, North Carolina

FIPS 37183

Juniper

Wake County is in the highest 4% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 4% nationally for median income. And it sits in the highest 5% nationally for median rent.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$514,993

Higher than 94% of U.S. counties
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

57%

Higher than 63% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

95.5

Higher than 96% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Wake County.

The basics

Total Population

1,178,653

Median Age

37.3

Population Density

1,412.23

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$3,260

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.71%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

4.36×

Higher than 85% of U.S. counties
Median Income

$105,768

Higher than 96% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$1,623

Higher than 95% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

1%

Lower than 78% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

53%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

7.7%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

87.4

Winter Avg Low (°F)

31.9

Avg Temperature (°F)

60

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

41.6

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

70.1

Annual Precipitation (in)

48.8

Annual Snowfall (in)

4.4

Flood & disaster risk

FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

95.5

Higher than 96% of U.S. counties

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Wake County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Wake County?
The estimated median home value in Wake County today is $514,993, higher than 94% of U.S. counties.
How much is property tax in Wake County?
The median annual property tax in Wake County is $3,260, an effective rate of 0.71% of home value.
Is Wake County expensive to live in?
Homes in Wake County cost about 4.36× the median household income, higher than 85% of U.S. counties.
What is the average rent in Wake County?
The median gross rent in Wake County is $1,623 a month, higher than 95% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Wake County?
Home prices in Wake County have moved 57% over the past five years (1% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Wake County?
Wake County has a population of 1,178,653, about 1,412.23 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 37.3.
What is the weather like in Wake County?
Wake County averages 60°F year-round, summer highs near 87.4°F, winter lows around 31.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 4.4 inches of snow a year.
Is Wake County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Wake County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 95.5 (higher than 96% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is inland flooding.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

TermsPrivacyData disclaimer