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Raleigh, NC


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Raleigh, North Carolina

Introduction to Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina is the capital of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County. Due to the prevalence of oak trees in the area, the city is widely known as the “City of Oaks”. Its population of 27,000 makes it the second largest city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Raleigh is part of The Triangle, which also includes Durham, and Chapel Hill. The Triangle is named for the Research Triangle Park, created in 1959, that is located between Durham and Raleigh. Raleigh is also one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

Raleigh Culture

Raleigh is often referred to as the Smithsonian of the South because it has 20 free attractions. Its museums are of the highest caliber, from the interactive world museum, to the world’s largest natural history museum, to the most comprehensive European art collection in the South. The arts are a big part of life in Raleigh and The Triangle. There is a wide range of cultural activities, including The BTI Center for the Performing Arts and the North Carolina Symphony. There are also many smaller community-oriented events, such as summer outdoor theater, parks, and gardens. Raleigh is also home to the Carolina Ballet, the North Carolina Theatre, and the Broadway Series South.

Raleigh Sports and Leisure

In the realm of professional sports, Raleigh has a lot of hockey to offer. The National Hockey League Carolina Hurricanes moved to the city in 1999 and play at the RBC Center. College sports are also prevalent here, such as NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference member North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University. St. Augustine College and Shaw University also provide great competition and viewing. Bike routes such as the NC-DOT Mountains to Sea and the US Maine to Florida routes go through Raleigh. Amateur sports like soccer, softball, flab football, basketball, and dodgeball leagues are offered throughout the city. Golf is also a popular activity in Raleigh, with quality public golf courses across the metropolitan area.

Raleigh Outdoors

Outdoor opportunities in Raleigh revolve around the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Coast, both of which are located relatively close to the city. These two geographic features provide an endless range of outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding at one of the area’s ski resorts. Warm, sunny beaches await visitors along the coast, with breezes coming up from the Gulf Stream. The city has award-winning parks, greenway systems, and open spaces across the metropolitan area. The Mountains of North Carolina provide many opportunities to hike to the tops of towering peaks, fish in pristine trout streams, or camp under a blanket of stars.

Raleigh at Night

Raleigh has excellent nightlife, being rated near the top of America’s Best Place for Singles, Cities that Rock, and Best Small Concert Venues. The area combines big city vibrancy with small-town charm. With five different entertainment districts, Raleigh offers a wide variety of small live music venues and large performing arts facilities. There’s fun and entertainment for everyone in the city of Raleigh. For example, the Greenshields Brewery and Pub is known for brewing its own beer. The Hiberian features hearty soups and plenty of wine and beer.

High Points

Raleigh strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in North Carolina):

CategoryTrophy
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)
Top 3%trophyRaleigh Public Transportation Use
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)
Top 3%trophyRaleigh Well-Paid Single Women
Well-Paid Single Men
(vs. State)
Top 4%trophyRaleigh Well-Paid Single Men
College Educated Adults
(vs. Peers)
Top 7%Raleigh College Educated Adults
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)
Top 11%Raleigh Racial Diversity
Median Family Income
(vs. Peers)
Top 13%Raleigh Median Family Income
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. State)
Top 18%Raleigh Walking and Biking to Work
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. Peers)
Top 18%Raleigh People in Middle Class or Better

Comparative Profile of Raleigh, NC

Comparing Raleigh to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in North Carolina (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Well-Paid Single Women1010
Well-Paid Single Men1010
Male Share of the Population79
Racial Diversity69
Female Share of the Population42
Age of the Population31
Senior Citizens21
Children Under 5 Years Old25

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Portion of People Married42
Average Household Size24

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
College Educated Adults1010
Median Family Income910
People in Middle Class or Better98
People Above Poverty87

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Working at Home88
Short Commute Times76
Walking and Biking to Work59
Public Transportation Use410

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Housing Recently Built109
People Living Alone88
Affordability of Property Taxes61
Seasonal and Vacation Housing54
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals510
Affordability of Rents31

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers
Compared
to State
Low Property Crime76
Low Violent Crime63

Detailed pages on related topics: Raleigh collegesRaleigh travelRaleigh mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Raleigh CareersRaleigh Careers
Raleigh career and employment information.
Raleigh CollegesRaleigh Colleges
Raleigh colleges and trade schools.
Raleigh Hotels & TravelRaleigh Hotels & Travel
Raleigh hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Raleigh MortgageRaleigh Mortgage
Raleigh property, mortgage, and real estate.

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