Living in Wake County

  • As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh and the surrounding Wake County communities provide diverse cultural, educational and recreational opportunities for children and adults. Theater, dance, and musical performances are readily available; several museums showcase history and visual arts; numerous parks, greenways, and lakes invite residents outdoors. Restaurants and clubs provide a thriving nightlife in downtown Raleigh. Residents here enjoy close proximity to the beaches of NC (a 2-hour drive via I-40 East) and the mountains (3-4 hours). Air travel is also easily accessible through the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. 

    Our community shows extraordinary support for our educators—through PTA, volunteers, and support from local businesses. The links below will help broaden your understanding about our area. Salary schedules can be accessed from our “Careers” page by choosing the appropriate job type.

    Quality of Life

    Wake consistently ranks as one of the top public school systems and top communities in the nation for educational opportunities and quality of life. In fact, Bloomberg/BusinessWeek recently named Raleigh as #1 best city to live for numerous reasons, including public school performance. (9/2011).    Newcomers can choose from a variety of housing options for rent or purchase.  With excellent public schools and an abundance of day care and youth activities, many families view Wake as a great place to rear their children.  

    This Raleigh Chamber of Commerce guide provides lots of details about what you can expect when you relocate to Wake County.   
    The Wake County Public School System, the largest in North Carolina and 16th largest in the nation, is comprised of 13 municipalities--12 cities/towns and the unincorporated areas of Wake County. Please explore the following city and town websites to learn more about each location.