SECTION 3: PLANNING AREA PROFILE
3.2 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS Wake County and its municipalities have experienced significant population growth over the last several decades. From 2010 to 2020 , Wake County’s population grew by over 25 percent, which translates to an annual growth rate of roughly 2.5%. Overall population density in the County increased from 1,078.8 persons per square mile in 2010 to 1,353.3 persons per square mile in 2020. Trends suggest that this number is likely to continue growing. All jurisdictions experienced growth between 2010 and 2020. The Towns of Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon all experienced greater than a 50 percent change in their population during this time. Table 3.3 provides population counts from 2010 (Decennial), 2020 (Decennial), and 2022 (ACS 5- year estimates) for each of the participating jurisdictions. Figure 3.5 on the following page shows recently reported population density by census tract in persons per square mile. Table 3.3 – Wake County Population Counts
2022 ACS Population Estimate
Total Change 2010-2020
2010 Census Population
2020 Census Population
% Change 2010-2020
Jurisdiction
Wake County
900,993 181,890 37,476 135,234
1,129,410 198,857 58,780* 174,721
1,132,103 192,408
228,417 16,967 21,304 39,487 16,215
25.4%
Unincorporated areas
9.3%
Apex Cary
65,541
56.8% 29.2% 90.4% 21.0% 67.2% 70.5% 59.5% 15.8% 150.3% 58.1% 67.5%
174,880 35,428 31,684 42,023 19,127 29,756 465,517
Fuquay-Varina
17,937 25,745 24,661 11,401 18,576
34,152 31,159 41,239 19,435
Garner
5,414
Holly Springs Knightdale
16,578 8,034 11,054 63,773 5,689 17,484 3,948 2,470
Morrisville
29,630 467,665
Raleigh
403,892
Rolesville
3,786 30,117 5,845 4,433
9,475 47,601 9,793 6,903
9,696
Wake Forest
48,047 10,575
Wendell Zebulon
7,421 55.7% Source: US Census Bureau Decennial Census 2010, Decennial Census 2020; American Community Survey 2022 5-Year Estimates Note: The total population of Cary, Raleigh, and Wake Forest includes population residing in adjacent counties. *Apex ’ s 2020 Census population estimate was corrected in 2022. Per the Town of Apex Planning Department, the town ’ s 2020 population estimate was 64,180. A portion of the town ’ s population was incorrectly attributed to Wake County.
Wake County, NC Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
WSP June 2024 Page 32
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