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Wake Forest, NC
Town in Wake County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 27587.
Population
52,844
Land area
19.9sq mi
People per sq mi
2,659
ZIP codes
1
Wake Forest and its ZIP codes
Wake Forest at a glance
- Wake Forest is about 12 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 21st among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $123,802, 71% above the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $474,500 (64% above North Carolina) and median rent is $1,596 a month.
Local data for Wake Forest, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Wake Forest, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$123,802
Poverty rate
4.5%
Median home value
$474,500
Median rent
$1,596/mo
Homeownership
74.0%
Bachelor's or higher
59.5%
Median age
38.6
Average commute
30.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (5,628), Irish Americans (5,454), Italian Americans (3,134).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Wake County. PPP loans are for Wake Forest.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$81,099
665,775 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$85,573
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$9.83B
FY 2026, $8,702 per person
How people get to work
Wake Forest, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone64.5%
- Carpooled5.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.6%
- Worked from home28.7%
Average one-way commute: 30.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Wake Forest, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: hail
Storm events since 1996
1,525
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
2,790
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 28°F
47.5 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone8 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Wake Forest, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
29.5%
U.S. 33.3% -3.8 pts
Diabetes
9.1%
U.S. 12.1% -3.0 pts
Smoking
9.5%
U.S. 12.8% -3.3 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
6.9%
U.S. 11.1% -4.2 pts
ZIP codes in Wake Forest
1 in or overlapping Wake Forest. Population shown
Cities near Wake Forest
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| RolesvilleTown | 3.6 mi | 7 |
| YoungsvilleTown | 4.9 mi | 2.5 |
| FranklintonTown | 10 mi | 1.9 |
| RaleighCity | 11 mi | 150.9 |
| KnightdaleTown | 12 mi | 9.6 |
| CreedmoorCity | 15 mi | 5.4 |
| WendellTown | 15 mi | 9.4 |
| BunnTown | 15 mi | 0.6 |
| LouisburgTown | 15 mi | 3.1 |
| ZebulonTown | 17 mi | 6.6 |
| GormanCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 2.8 |
| ButnerTown | 18 mi | 13.8 |
| Lake RoyaleCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 6.5 |
| KittrellTown | 18 mi | 0.2 |
| MorrisvilleTown | 19 mi | 9.2 |
| GarnerTown | 20 mi | 19.7 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Wake Forest, NC in?
- Wake Forest is in Wake County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Wake Forest, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Wake Forest include 27587.
- What is the population of Wake Forest, NC?
- About 52,844 people live in Wake Forest, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Wake Forest?
- Nearby places include Rolesville (3.6 mi), Youngsville (4.9 mi), Franklinton (10 mi), Raleigh (11 mi), Knightdale (12 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023