Raleigh is growing, but hasn’t forgotten its roots
More people are planting roots in the City of Oaks these days. As North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh is the fastest-growing city in the state, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. According to the United States Census Bureau, its population was over 482,000 in 2023, a 3.1% increase from 2020. Morgan Ronan, a loan officer and mortgage specialist with RTP Nationwide Mortgage, moved to the city eight years ago and never looked back. “Growing up in New England, the cold, long winters were not for me,” she says. “I was sold on Raleigh for the weather, and the lower cost of living was a huge bonus because it’s so much more affordable to live in the south than up north.”
People are drawn here for its assets: a vibrant job market with an expanding tech sector, an abundance of world-renown universities, a great school system and the warmer temps common to the region. They stay because of the city’s welcoming Southern hospitality and willingness to embrace outsiders. The city center celebrates art, history and cuisine. “Raleigh is like a big small town. Our downtown area has done amazing things in the last 30 years,” says Kelly Huffstetler, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty and former Raleigh resident. Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s most recent report states that $7.4 billion has gone into completed, planned or under construction projects, including new retail and office space in neighborhoods like Capital District and South Park .
North Carolina Theatre is a popular downtown destination for College Park residents.
The Chapel at St Augustine's College is at the heart of the historic school.
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Job opportunities at Research Triangle Park
Raleigh’s expansion is expected to continue through the rest of this decade and into the next. The city’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan expects the city to reach more than 600,000 residents by 2035. As Raleigh continues to grow, affordable housing is among the key concerns outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Transportation is another focus area. According to the plan, the number of public transit riders in the city falls well below the average in similar cities like Charlotte and Atlanta. At the basis of all of Raleigh’s evolution is a goal of sustainability. The city’s sustainability focus is based on the tenets of environmental stewardship, economic strength and social integrity, and includes initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, a teleworking program and the greening of Raleigh’s fleet of vehicles.
When residents talk about Raleigh, they may be referring to a smaller town in the Triangle. “Everyone considers themselves part of The Triangle,” Huffstetler says. “Raleigh has grown out so much that it’s encompassed Wake Forest and Cary. When you’re driving in a car, you don’t know sometimes if you’re in Wake Forest or Raleigh. They just bleed together.” Suburbs and towns in the Triangle are experiencing rapid growth as well thanks to their proximity to Raleigh’s booming tech industry. Research Triangle Park is a 7,000-acre expanse between Raleigh and Durham that houses more than 300 companies, including Bayer, Cisco, Fidelity and Lenovo.
Research Triangle Park is the largest research park in the United States.
Public transit options are available to residents at GoRaleigh's downtown Station.
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A stable infrastructure leads to RTP
The city’s population exploded in the early 20th Century due mostly to a strong infrastructure and a changing national migration pattern. A housing boom hit Raleigh after World War II, and suburban growth sparked in the 1970s, further widening the city’s footprint. Today, the city stretches about 146 square miles, and the north and northwest corners are among its most densely populated pockets. “There’s definitely a lot of new construction,” Ronan says. “Because we’ve had the same issue for years now, which is that we have really low inventory and a lot of buyers.”
The median price of a single-family home in Raleigh is $470,000. There’s a mix of styles throughout the city, but ranch-style, Colonials, Craftsman and contemporary modern are among the most common. Historic districts, like North Blount Street, display Queen Anne, Victorian and Second Empire houses. Townhouses and condos priced between $500,000 to $2,450,000 are more concentrated around the city center and scattered on the westside. Prices in King Charles , Walnut Creek and other eastside area range from $125,000 to $500,000.
Locals tend to break down the city into “Inside the Beltline” or “Outside the Beltline.” Those who live inside Interstate 440 experience a more urban feel, with access to more city services and multiple forms of transportation. The neighborhoods outside the Beltline, like Brier Creek , are quieter, with more of a suburban feel. “There really aren’t any big tracts of land left in Raleigh,” Huffstetler says. “In order to get a decent tract of land to put a subdivision on, you have to go to the outlying towns.” Outlying towns include the suburb of Cary, which has a median price of around $578,000; and Apex with a median price of $595,000.
Larger contemporary homes are being built in the Belvedere Neighborhood.
Colorful homes line the streets in the Belvedere Neighborhood.
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Boats at Pullen Park and the Neuse River Greenway Trail
Raleigh has over 200 parks, including the city’s oldest green space, Pullen Park. Also operating as a small amusement park, Pullen features unique attractions like pedal boats, a carousel and a miniature train that kids and their parents can ride around. The park also has playgrounds, tennis courts and aquatic and community centers on its over 66-acre campus. Pullen Arts Center reopened in 2021 after three years of renovations. There, residents can explore the galleries and take art classes.
William B. Umstead State Park stretches about 5,500 acres, with more than 35 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of biking paths. Umstead features a lake that is open for fishing and paddling. Lake Wheeler Park is another outdoor hotspot featuring a 650-acre lake where locals can fish, sail, row and more. There are also 150 acres of park space here, with a playground and a sand volleyball court that can be reserved.
Raleigh’s 180 miles of greenway trails include the 28-mile Neuse River Greenway Trail, a paved path ideal for walking, jogging and cycling. It offers scenic views of portions of the 275-mile Neuse River and runs past spots like the 90-acre Anderson Point Park, which has trails of its own, plus a playground and multiple fields. When the temperature drops, the city has a YMCA and an indoor adventure park for kids.
Cycling at Neuse River Greenway is a popular pastime for area residents.
Visit Pullen Park and see all the incredible amenities it has to offer.
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James Beard Award-winning chefs and the Carolina Hurricanes
While Raleigh’s culinary scene was once confined to downtown, it’s expanded outside of the Beltline in recent years. James Beard Award-winning Chef Ashley Christensen is probably the biggest name in the scene. Christensen is the figure behind a half dozen restaurants, including Poole’s Diner, her first restaurant, which is known for its macaroni and cheese. In 2024, Raleigh had four James Beard semifinalists. “There’s always so much going on here,” Ronan says. “I’ve lived here for eight years, and I still haven’t been to all the restaurants and got to all the places. When you’re feeling like you want to explore, there is always somewhere new to go.” Like its home state, Raleigh has its fair share of barbeque options. Clyde Cooper's Barbecue has been a staple in downtown Raleigh since 1938. They have staples like fried chicken, but it's the Eastern N.C. pulled pork that really puts them on the map.
Shopping has grown beyond the city’s center too, with malls and centers throughout Raleigh. North Hills has a mixed-use center known for its upscale stores. Ronan says it’s often thought of as a mini downtown. For beer enthusiasts, there are more than 30 breweries in the Raleigh area, so many that the area has its own “beer trail.” There’s also the North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival, which is full of barbecue and bluegrass, and Brewgaloo, the largest craft beer festival in the state. The city attracts even more events, including the Dreamville Festival in early April, a two-day music extravaganza by North Carolina native J. Cole and his Dreamville label. The city has a Fourth of July fireworks show as well, plus the Wendell Harvest Festival in October, which has been running for almost 100 years and includes a parade. The Christmas parade in November is the largest in the area between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
Hockey fans can catch a Carolina Hurricanes game at the Lenovo Center, and North Carolina State University supporters can root for the Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts hosts live performances, including theater performances, comedians and the North Carolina Symphony. During the day, residents can visit the exhibits of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Clyde Cooper's Barbeque has been a Downtown Raleigh institution for decades.
Poole's Diner's humble exterior houses a menu of 'reimagined comfort food'.
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Traveling on the Beltline
With the Beltline surrounding the city, many residents have nearby interstate access. They can hop on I-440 to reach I-40 for trips to Durham, which is just under 30 miles from Raleigh. I-440 and I-40 can also be used to start trips toward Charlotte, North Carolina’s biggest city, about 170 miles southwest.
The city’s 80 miles of bike lanes provide an alternative to driving. BikeRaleigh, a city-created app, helps cyclists find trails and bikeways near them. Locals can take advantage of the GoRaleigh bus service, which includes 40 different routes and more than 1,400 total stops. Short commutes are particularly convenient, too. Raleigh is considered very walkable, with a walk score of 83.
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport, only about 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, offers service for 17 major airlines and offers nonstop service to 57 cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, London and Paris. Those traveling a shorter distance can head to Raleigh Union Station for a train ride to Charlotte, New York City and Miami, with intermediate stops in between. Officials broke ground on a high-speed rail line, the S-line, from Raleigh to Richmond in 2024.
Raleigh area residents can see planes take off and land at the RDU Observation Park.
South Raleigh sits on the SW corner of I-40 and I-440 only 3 miles from downtown Raleigh.
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North Carolina State University and the Research Triangle
Education has long been an integral part of Raleigh’s fabric. The city is home to 10 universities and colleges, including North Carolina State University, William Peace University, Saint Augustine’s University and Shaw University.
N.C. State, the largest with 36,000 students, specializes in STEM, agriculture and the life sciences and is considered one of the top schools in the country for undergraduate entrepreneurship. Established in 1865, Shaw is one of the oldest historically Black colleges or universities in the country. Saint Augustine’s University, a private HBCU, launched the first nursing school in North Carolina specifically for Black students.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University in Durham, are about 30 miles away. The area schools in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill help form what’s known as the Research Triangle, a mark of the area’s prowess in industry and education.
Wake County Public Schools system serves Raleigh and surrounding areas, including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest and Holly Springs. The district earns an A overall rating on Niche, with many of the schools earning an A-minus grade. The system has around 160,000 students in about 200 schools, which gives families options to decide between traditional, charter, magnet, year-round and private schools. Students must first apply to their base school before applying to a magnet or year-round. Popular institutions with capped enrollments will stop accepting new students, and students will be assigned to an overflowing school. “It can be kind of confusing; there are so many different schools and zones for schools,” Ronan says. “You just have to check the zoning, if that’s something that’s important to you.”
NC State University opened its doors in 1889 and serves over 34000 students today.
Broughton High School in Cameron Village, offers 28 International Baccalaureate courses.
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, reported violent crime rates in Raleigh often exceed state and U.S. figures, while property crime rates are generally on par with national and state rates. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s 2023 annual summary reflected a 7% increase in violent crime rates between 2022 and 2023. During the same time period, property crime rates increased by 14%. The city’s police department offers criminal justice programs, like drug and alcohol education and the Wake County Recovery Court. The department also does youth outreach, such as summer camps and an annual youth summit.
The Capital Special Patrol Officers assist in various Downtown Raleigh events and activities
The Raleigh Police Force fleet include SUVs and other vehicle styles.
Jared isn't your average real estate broker. Originally from eastern North Carolina, Jared is an alumnus of North Carolina State University. His career encompasses residential construction, land development, and real estate brokerage. His 20+ years as a licensed general contractor and 10+ years as a real estate agent have equipped him with an extensive understanding of construction that proves extremely beneficial to his real estate clients. This insight allows him to recognize high-quality construction, navigate home inspections, and has driven his success as a builder, with projects ranging from 400k to 7M+. His years as a real estate broker have given him a comprehensive grasp of the current market and its trends. Much of his business stems from referrals and repeat clients, testament to his growing reputation as a top-selling agent in the Triangle market. With sales that have seen a significant upward trend in recent years, Jared's underlying principle remains his earnest commitment to prioritizing the needs of his clients. If you're contemplating buying or selling a home, or are simply interested in learning about property values in your area, Jared is readily available for a consultation.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
