Wake Forest

A thriving and fun place to shop or enjoy a meal with friends and family.

Welcome to Wake Forest

A peaceful community northeast of Raleigh 
 
Considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina, Wake Forest is a charming and friendly community full of history and culture. The downtown area is a thriving and fun place to shop or enjoy a meal with friends and family.
 
People are moving to Wake Forest because of its proximity to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, also known as The Triangle. Because of this, immediate access to commuting for work or entertainment is just a short drive.

What to Love

  • Easy commute to The Triangle
  • Thriving downtown
  • Peaceful and friendly community

Local Lifestyle

A family-friendly community, Wake Forest is a beautiful place to live, and residents enjoy living here. It retains a small community vibe while still having fantastic amenities. Residents enjoy access to multiple parks and a thriving downtown and love gathering in the local coffee shops, bars, and bakeries.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

The downtown area is full of incredible shopping and restaurants. White Street is where you will find most of the action and where you can find the White Street Brewery, a locally owned brewery that is known for its Main Street and Side Street series of craft beer. Another downtown staple is Plant Cakes Bake Shop, a modern bakery serving cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and doughnuts. For a fantastic lunch experience, the funky and chic Sugar Magnolia Café is a great place for a light meal. They also have an extensive wine and beer menu and a great cup of coffee. In addition, they also have a gift shop and a live music lounge.
 
South of town on Main Street is Amalia’s Authentic Italian Restaurant. The restaurant is known for its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff and is the perfect date night spot. Local favorites include the melt-in-your-mouth lasagna and delicious desserts. Over the Falls is a bar and grill with a pub-like atmosphere. Classic pub food and unique and creative cocktails keep people coming back. In addition, the vibrant and fun atmosphere creates the perfect location for a fun night out with friends.
 
The Gatehouse Tavern, located in the Gateway Commons shopping mall, is an American restaurant known for its microbrews and grass-fed beef burgers. The vintage décor and cozy lighting create an intimate feel and the restaurant is another favorite date night spot.

Things to Do

Wake Forest is a place for people who love to be active and enjoy being out in their community. Horseshoe Farms Nature Preserve is the perfect spot for any outdoor lover; the preserve is a U-shaped piece of land along the Neuse River. It has two natural surface trails that explore different areas of the park. There is also a sheltered area for family events and a farmhouse to examine. Falls Lake is another place for outdoor activities. The lake is surrounded by various marinas, hiking trails, beaches, and recreation areas.
 
Blue Jay Park has everything an outdoor lover would want; there are hiking trails, a playground with surrounding green space, and a baseball field. Additionally, there are the Blue Jay Point Lodge and the Blue Jay Center, where various programs and educational events are available. The park also has hiking and walking trails along with multiple fishing areas. Also on the property is the Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, an adventure activity national chain that allows residents to explore the treetops via zipline or have a forest escape where groups can test their problem-solving skills while being immersed in nature.
 
During the summer months, it gets hot in North Carolina, and the Wake Forest Sprayground is the perfect place to spend the day cooling off. The splash park does not have a pool; instead, it is a collection of water features and activities anyone can enjoy. Some features include 16-jet streams, one bucket trio, an aqua dome, and a tot mister. 

Schools

Wake Forest is served by the Wake County Public School System.
 
 
 

Overview for Wake Forest, NC

46,387 people live in Wake Forest, where the median age is 38.6 and the average individual income is $43,601. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

46,387

Total Population

38.6 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$43,601

Average individual Income

Around Wake Forest, NC

There's plenty to do around Wake Forest, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

29
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
27
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Fishin Shrimp, Just In Time Treats, and Flantastic.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 1.78 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 2.68 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 1.62 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 3.74 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 0.98 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 2.24 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Wake Forest, NC

Wake Forest has 16,513 households, with an average household size of 2.79. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Wake Forest do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 46,387 people call Wake Forest home. The population density is 2,570.38 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

46,387

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

38.6

Median Age

48.6 / 51.4%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
16,513

Total Households

2.79

Average Household Size

$43,601

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Wake Forest, NC

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Wake Forest. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating

Browse Properties in the Area

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