Welcome to Raleigh

Explore Raleigh’s population trends, school options, and available homes in the area.

Experience Raleigh, North Carolina

Lifestyle, Community, and Growth

 

Raleigh sits at the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, where state governmentleading universities, and a thriving innovation economy shape the rhythm of daily life. Known as the City of Oaks, it has grown with a level of intention that sets it apart—preserving tree-lined neighborhoods, investing in parks and greenways, and maintaining a sense of openness rarely found in a capital city.

Life here is defined by balance. Over time, Raleigh reveals itself as a place where ambition is supported without overwhelming the experience of everyday living. Downtown continues to evolve with chef-driven dining, cultural institutions, and live music venues, while established residential areas and historic districts offer quieter, design-forward living just minutes away. Professionals drawn to technology, life sciences, and education find long-term opportunities here, alongside residents who place a premium on thoughtful planning and quality of life. 

At The Real Estate Studio, we bring a high-touch, locally informed perspective to every community we serve. This Raleigh guide combines our neighborhood expertise with key local data to provide a clear view of how the city lives today and how it continues to evolve—helping you make informed decisions about your next move.

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A Neighborhood Snapshot of Raleigh, NC

Neighborhood Snapshot

 

Here’s a quick look at Raleigh's population, age, income, and density—the basics you’ll want to know as you explore the area. Raleigh represents approximately 40.5% of Wake County's total population.

Population
482,425
Total Population
4.5% of NC's Total
Median Age
34.9
Median Age
11.4% Younger Than NC
Persons Per Household
2.2
Persons Per Household
8.3% Less Than NC
Income
$86,309
Median Household Income
22% Higher than NC
 
Population Migration Since the Previous Year
 
  •   Same house a year ago 81.5%
  •   From same county 8.1%
  •   From different county 4.9%
  •   From different state 3.8%
  •   From abroad 0.74%

A Demographic Overview of Raleigh, NC

Key Housing & Workforce Data

 

This section provides a demographic overview of Raleigh, North Carolina, based on publicly available census data. It summarizes housing characteristics, employment patterns, commuting metrics, and key education data points—offering a standardized, data-driven snapshot for reference and comparison.

Housing Snapshot

Raleigh, North Carolina
 
229,678
Number of Housing Units
4.6% of NC’s Total
1,537
Residential Housing Density (units/mi²)
2.5x Higher units/mi² Than Wake County
$445,500
Median Value Owner-Occupied
44.4% Higher Than NC
49.0%
Housing Units Built After 2000*
10.8% Higher Than NC
Type of Housing Structure
Single-Unit: 59.0%
Multi-Unit: 40.3%
Other: 0.70%
Occupied vs. Vacant Housing Units
92.0% Occupied
8.0% Vacant
Owner-Occupied vs. Renter-Occupied
50.0% Owner-Occupied
50.0% Renter-Occupied
Population with Housing Costs Under 30% of Household Income in 2024
Note: 30% is the Affordable Housing Benchmark
 
Owned Units
79.7%
Rented Units
47.9%
 
Raleigh MARKET

Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units

 
Under $100K
3.0%
 
$100K - $200K
4.0%
 
$200K - $300K
14.0%
 
$300K - $400K
21.0%
 
$400K - $500K
20.0%
 
$500K - $1M
32.0%
 
Over $1M
5.0%

Employment & Commute

Raleigh, North Carolina
 
EMPLOYMENT CLASS FOR CIVILIAN WORKERS AGES 16+
287,018 Total Workers
71.3%
Private Company
3.5%
Self-Employed
8.4%
Government
12.6%
Nonprofit
Mean Travel Time to Work
Workers Ages 16+ (Minutes)
23.6
Raleigh
25.3
North Carolina
28.0
South Atlantic Region
Means of Transportation
Workers Ages 16+
  •   Drove Alone 65.1%
  •   Carpooled 6.6%
  •   Public Transit 1.3%
  •   Bicycle 0.4%
  •   Walked 1.6%
  •   Other 1.6%
  •   Worked at home 23.4%

Education

Raleigh, North Carolina
 
FIELD OF BACHELOR’S DEGREE FOR FIRST MAJOR AGES 25+*
187,483 Total Bachelor's Degrees Earned
49.5%
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
19.2%
BUSINESS
8.1%
EDUCATION
23.2%
ARTS, HUMANITIES & OTHER
School Enrollment*
122,862 Enrolled Population Ages 3+
 
  •  Preschool 6.7%
  •  Kindergarten 3.6%
  •  Elementary & Middle School 36.0%
  •  High School 15.8%
  •  College or Graduate School 37.9%
Educational Attainment*
336,582 Education Attainment Total Ages 25+
 
  •  No Degree 6.9%
  •  High School 15.9%
  •  Some College 14.6%
  •  Bachelor's 33.7%
  •  Post-Grad 22.0%

*Census Data: ACS2023 5-year

Schools Located in Raleigh, NC

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Raleigh. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

Current Availability

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Local Insights & Expertise

1
Personalized Neighborhood Insights
Gain an in-depth perspective on neighborhood districts, communities, local amenities, trends, and the lifestyle each area offers—helping you identify neighborhoods that best suit your preferences.
2
Housing & Market Trends
Receive a comprehensive analysis of housing types, pricing trends, market dynamics, and property characteristics to discover how your must-haves align with available options and which areas best support your long-term goals.
3
Connectivity & Future Outlook
Gain expert insight into proximity to work, transit, and regional hubs, as well as planned development, infrastructure, and zoning—helping you feel confident that your chosen neighborhood supports both your lifestyle and long-term goals.

Explore More Neighborhood Guides Across the Triangle Region

View our full collection of neighborhood guides covering cities and towns throughout the Triangle region. Each guide offers consistent local insight, school information, and current property context to support informed comparisons.

Neighborhood descriptions are provided for general informational purposes and reflect the perspective of The Real Estate Studio. Demographic, housing, and school-related data are drawn primarily from publicly available sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2023 1-Year estimates, unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, city-level figures reflect the Census Bureau’s “Place” geography for each municipality. Data points marked with a † indicate a margin of error of at least 10 percent and should be interpreted with care. All information is intended for general reference only and should be considered alongside independent verification and professional guidance tailored to your specific needs. Data reflects the most recent update as of January 26, 2026.