About Raleigh
Raleigh, located in North Central North Carolina serves as both state capital and county seat of Wake County. With a 2010 population of 403,892 according to the US Census, Raleigh is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The 2010 population marks a 46% increase over 2000 numbers. The growth of the area and surrounding suburbs is the reverse of what has been seen in Northern US states such as Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The second most populated city in North Carolina behind Charlotte also ranks 43rd nationally and counting. Raleigh is the principle city of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Metro Area which is home to 1,749,525 total residents.
Key factors such as the mild climate, geographic location, quality of life and education have contributed to the recent growth. The area is home to 3 major and several other colleges and universities such as North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in nearby Durham and University of North Carolina at Chappell Hill (main campus). The construction of the Research Triangle Park in nearby Durham County is the origin of the area nickname that dates back to 1959 “Research Triangle” or locally referred to as “The Triangle.”
Before Raleigh was designated as the state capital in 1788, New Bern which was the largest city in North Carolina at the time housed the state government. New Bern, which is 35 miles from the Atlantic coast was feared to be susceptible to British invasion and that caused the state legislature to find a more central location for the capital. Raleigh has played a major role in shaping the culture of the Southeastern US and is also the birthplace of Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States.
Raleigh’s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical which gives the area mild winters and hot humid summers. With an average annual high of 71 degrees and annual low of 50, the area attracts many opportunistic people from the Northern US which has caused a change in the local cultural landscape. Raleigh’s historic economic focus has been in tobacco, textiles, agriculture and state government. While all of those industries remain important to the area’s GDP, newer sectors such as biomedical, high-tech research, advanced education and financial services have created a diverse workforce and population.
The allure of Raleigh to so many can also be attributed to its proximity to beaches on the Atlantic coast which as just a couple hours by car as well as the Appalachian Mountains that are a few hours to the West of the city.
Pro Sports Teams
Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Nearby Cities & Towns
Durham, Raleigh, Joyland, Falls Lake, Wake Forest, Youngsville, Forestville, Rolesville, Bunn, Spring Hope, Zebulon, Wendell, Middlesex, Bailey, Sims, Hocutts Crossroads, Jordan, Clayton, Shotwell, Powhatan, Flowers, Wilson’s Mills, West Smithfield, Selma, Micro, Kenly, Lucama, Bethesda, Blackwood, Calvander, Chappell Hill, Dogwood Acres, Fearington, Pittsboro, Seaforth, Bells, Bonsal, Haywood, Brickhaven, Corinth, Duncan, Cokesbury, Fuquay-Varina, Holland, Chalybeate Springs, Angier, Carpenter, Morrisville, Cary, Millbrook, Knightdale, Blands, Genless, Apex, Holly Springs
