Wake Forest, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Wake Forest, North Carolina is 51,199 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 22nd-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $120,777, the median home value is $435,000, and the median age is 38.8.
The population has grown 86.8% since 2010 (30,390 → 56,764).
51,199
Population
2576
People / sq mi
$120,777
Median Income
$435,000
Median Home Value
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Wake Forest covers 19.9 sq mi of land at 2576 people per square mile.
About Wake Forest, NC
The poverty rate is what most separates Wake Forest from the typical city: 1.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Wake Forest is a city in North Carolina with a population of 51,199. It ranks #22 among cities in North Carolina by population.
Median household income is $120,777, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is among the lowest of comparable US cities, at 1.7% — below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $435,000, with typical rent around $1,458.
College attainment is above the local norm at 57.8%, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 25.1% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 31 minutes each way.
Wake Forest town Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Wake Forest town had a population of 30,390 in 2010 and 56,764 in 2024, a 86.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 56,764 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 4.57%.
56,764
Population (2024)
30,390
Population (2010)
56,764
Peak (2024)
4.57%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 30,390 |
| 2011 | 31,694 |
| 2012 | 33,016 |
| 2013 | 34,759 |
| 2014 | 36,653 |
| 2015 | 38,148 |
| 2016 | 40,174 |
| 2017 | 42,165 |
| 2018 | 44,023 |
| 2019 | 45,629 |
| 2020 | 49,723 |
| 2021 | 50,923 |
| 2022 | 52,367 |
| 2023 | 54,431 |
| 2024 | 56,764 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 67.3% |
| Black or African American | 19.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$120,777
Median Household Income
$49,241
Per Capita Income
1.7%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$435,000
Median Home Value
$1,458
Median Rent
74.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
95.8%
High School+
57.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
68.5%
Public Transit
25.1%
Work From Home
30.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
52.8%
Foreign Born
91.0%
Non-English at Home
8.2%
Veterans
9.3%
With Disability
94.3%
Health Insurance
97.9%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 27.6% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 17.9% |
| Manufacturing | 10.1% |
| Information | 7.1% |
| Public Administration | 5.5% |
| Retail Trade | 4.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.1% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 3.8% |
| Construction | 3.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Wake Forest, North Carolina has a population of 51,199 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 22nd-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Wake Forest, North Carolina is $120,777, with 1.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Wake Forest, North Carolina is $435,000, with median monthly rent at $1,458 and a homeownership rate of 74.7%.
The median age in Wake Forest, North Carolina is 38.8 years. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The population has grown 86.8% since 2010 (30,390 → 56,764).
Where to stay in Wake Forest
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Statewide data for North Carolina
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.