Raleigh

by The Linguist

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County. Known as the “City of Oaks” for its many oak trees, Raleigh has a population of 469,298 as of the 2020 US Census, making it the second largest city in North Carolina behind Charlotte.

History

Raleigh was founded in 1792 and named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who was responsible for establishing the lost Roanoke Colony. The city was chosen as the site of the new capital of North Carolina due to its central location within the state. Some key moments in Raleigh’s history include:

  • 1817 – Raleigh was officially incorporated as a city
  • 1851 – The North Carolina State Capitol building was completed
  • 1887 – Shaw University, the first historically black university in the South, was founded
  • 1913 – North Carolina State College (now NC State University) opened its doors
  • 1959 – Raleigh Memorial Auditorium hosted a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • 1962 – North Carolina Museum of Art opened
  • 1984 – Raleigh-Durham International Airport began operations

To learn more about the history of Raleigh, visit the Mordecai Historic Park or the North Carolina Museum of History.

Population and Demographics

Raleigh is currently the second largest city in North Carolina after Charlotte. Here is a quick look at Raleigh’s population numbers and demographics:

  • Population (2020): 469,298
  • Population growth rate (2010-2020): +21.2%
  • Median age: 34.1 years old
  • Racial/ethnic makeup:
    • White: 57.4%
    • Black or African American: 27.9%
    • Asian: 5.4%
    • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 11.2%

Raleigh continues to grow rapidly and is projected to reach a population of over 1 million by 2060. The city has attracted many new residents due to job growth, affordable housing, and high quality of life.

Economy and Major Employers

Raleigh has a diverse, thriving economy with major industries including technology, healthcare, education, and government. Some of the top employers in Raleigh are:

The presence of several major universities and an educated workforce has attracted technology and research companies to Raleigh. The city’s central East Coast location and quality of life also draw corporate headquarters and regional offices.

To learn more about economic development in Raleigh, visit the Raleigh Economic Development website.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Raleigh include:

  • North Carolina Museum of Art (2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607) – This art museum houses an impressive permanent collection and hosts major traveling exhibitions.
  • Marbles Kids Museum (201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601) – An interactive children’s museum with fun, educational exhibits and programs.
  • JC Raulston Arboretum (4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606) – A diverse 8-acre arboretum showcasing plants from around the world.
  • North Carolina Museum of History (5 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601) – The state’s history museum with exhibits on everything from the first inhabitants to modern innovators.
  • North Carolina State Capitol (1 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601) – The state capitol building housing the governor’s office and legislature.

The GPS coordinates for some of these landmarks are:

  • North Carolina Museum of Art: 35.8038, -78.7104
  • Marbles Kids Museum: 35.7789, -78.6383
  • North Carolina State Capitol: 35.7807, -78.6391

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Raleigh is provided by GoTriangle, which operates a network of buses and regional rail services. The main public transit hub is the GoRaleigh Station located in downtown Raleigh (510 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603). GoTriangle offers several types of transit services:

  • GoRaleigh – Local bus system with dozens of routes serving Raleigh.
  • GoTriangle – Regional bus service connecting Raleigh with Durham, Chapel Hill, and other communities.
  • GoRaleigh Access – Paratransit service for people with disabilities.
  • Wolfline – Bus system serving NC State University campus.
  • GoDurham – Bus system serving Durham.
  • GoCary – Bus system serving Cary.

Plans are also underway for future commuter rail service, bus rapid transit lines, and expanded regional connectivity.

Public Library

The city’s public library system is the Wake County Public Library. It operates 11 library branches throughout Raleigh and Wake County, including:

  • Wake Forest Road Library (400 S Brooks St, Wake Forest, NC 27587 – (919) 435-9500)
  • North Regional Library (200 Horizon Dr, Raleigh, NC 27615 – (919) 870-4008)
  • Southeast Regional Library (908 Seventh Ave, Garner, NC 27529 – (919) 662-3620)
  • Wendell Library (207 S Hollybrook Rd, Wendell, NC 27591 – (919) 365-2600)

The library offers books, movies, music, magazines, computers, WiFi, programs for kids and adults, and more. Library cards are free for Wake County residents.

Museums

Raleigh is home to several top museums covering art, history, science and more. Major museums in the city include:

Smaller museums cover specific subjects like sports, aviation, African American history, and more. Many museums offer free or discounted admission days.

Sports Teams

Raleigh is home to several professional and college sports teams, including:

The city also hosts the NHL Entry Draft and NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament games at PNC Arena.

Counties

Raleigh is located primarily in Wake County, though a small portion of the city extends into neighboring Durham County.

Wake County website: https://www.wakegov.com/
Wake County address: 301 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Wake County phone: (919) 856-6100

Durham County website: https://www.dconc.gov/
Durham County address: 200 E Main St #2, Durham, NC 27701
Durham County phone: (919) 560-0000

School Districts

Public schools in Raleigh are part of the Wake County Public School System, which serves the entire county. There are also several charter school networks and private schools in the area.

Major school districts include:

  • Wake County Public School System
  • KIPP Public Charter Schools (serving grades K-12)
  • Thales Academy (serving grades K-12)

Additional Local Resources

Here are some other useful resources for those looking to learn more about Raleigh: