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
Wake Forest covers 19.9 sq mi of land at 2576 people per square mile.
About Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest is a city in North Carolina with a population of 51,199. It ranks #22 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 38.8, in line with the national median. The population is 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
The median household income in Wake Forest is $120,777, above the US median of $74,580. 1.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $435,000, with monthly rent averaging $1,458. The homeownership rate of 74.7% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Wake Forest reflects 57.8% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 25.1% of workers primarily work from home, noticeably above the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 30.9 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).
More from North Carolina
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.