Wake Forest: Demographics & People
Wake Forest's population stands at 52,844 people, in 18,403 households. Population grew 3.2% from 51,199 (2022) to 52,844 (2024). Median age 38.6 years. (1.3y older than Wake County; 2.4y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 26% of the population. Population is 65% White (non-Hispanic) and 20% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.47). 78% of households are family-led. County is gaining 6,580 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 16% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 22% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 65 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 3.2% from 51,199 (2022) to 52,844 (2024) — about 5.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~54,553 (extrapolated at 1.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 56,885.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 68,573 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 3.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 51,199 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 52,844 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 52,844 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 56,885 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.6y is 0.3 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 26% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.6 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 26.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 52,844 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 14,002 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 10,271.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 21,805.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 6,766 |
| Population under 18 | 14,002 |
| Median age | 38.6 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 52,844 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.47 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 34,436 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 10,138 |
| Asian residents | 1,227 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 3,995 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 47.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 69.2% |
| Asian population | 2.9% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 19.5% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 9.0% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 64.6% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 10% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 20,194 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 26,845 |
| Share born in this state | 38.2% |
| Share born in another state | 61.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 50.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 9.5% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 3,403 |
| From Europe | 650 |
| From Asia | 8 |
| From Africa | 993 |
Households & Family Composition
18,403 households. Averaging 2.8 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 78% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 13,772 families, 38% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 13,865 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 13,772 |
| Married couples with children | 5,195 |
| Single-parent households | 429 |
| Average household size | 2.82 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 776 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 266 |
| Family households | 14,332 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 77.9% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 18,403 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 16.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 6,580 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 16.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 74,401 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 67,821 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 6,580 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 2,721 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 1,096 residents live in group quarters (2.1% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 1,096 |
|---|
Veterans
| Veterans Services · Total count | 2 |
|---|
Sources: IRS BMF keyword
Other
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37069 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 069 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Franklin |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 19.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 16.50 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37069 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 1,558 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37069 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Franklin County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 79.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 57.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 33.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 69,685 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 15 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 10 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 26.5% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 52,844, growing, family-oriented, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 52,844 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Franklin County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade