Where is Wake Forest Located? - Wake Forest is a city located in the Wake, Franklin County of North Carolina, United States. Wake Forest lies between 33.1284047 Degrees North latitudes and 107.2528069 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Wake Forest, North Carolina

Wake Forest Map, North Carolina, USA
Where is Wake Forest?: The Google Map showing the location of Wake Forest in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
Where is Wake Forest Located?
Wake Forest is a city located in theWake County, Franklin County of North Carolina, United States. Wake Forest lies between 33.1284047 Degrees North latitudes and 107.2528069 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Wake Forest city is 47601 people and the city has a total area of 17.63 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
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Wake Forest, North Carolina Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Wake Forest |
| County | Wake County and Franklin County |
| State | North Carolina |
| State Capital | Raleigh |
| US Region | Southern United States |
| Latitude | 35.9799° N |
| Longitude | 78.5097° W |
| Elevation | Approximately 400 ft (122 m) |
| Land Area | 17.3 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.1 sq mi |
| Total Area | 17.4 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 47,601 |
| Population Density | Approximately 2,750 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 27587, 27588 |
| Area Code | 919 |
| Time Zone Standard | Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5 |
| Time Zone Daylight | Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC−4 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 37-70540 |
| Community Type | Town |
Transportation and Connectivity in Wake Forest, North Carolina
| Transportation | Details |
|---|---|
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International Airport |
| IATA Code | RDU |
| Regional Airport | Raleigh-Durham International Airport |
| Major Highways | US Route 1, US Route 1A, North Carolina Highway 98, NC Highway 50 |
| Rail Service | No passenger rail station in Wake Forest; Amtrak service available in Raleigh |
| Bus Service | GoRaleigh regional transit connections available nearby |
| Local Connectivity | Convenient access to Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Park, and northern Wake County |
- US Route 1 — Major north-south highway connecting Wake Forest with Raleigh and northern North Carolina communities.
- North Carolina Highway 98 — Important east-west route serving Wake Forest and surrounding areas.
- US Route 1A — Historic route connecting downtown Wake Forest with nearby communities.
Top Places to Visit in Wake Forest, North Carolina
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Historic Downtown Wake Forest | Historic District |
| Wake Forest Historical Museum | History Museum |
| Joyner Park | Public Park |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | State Recreation Area |
| Wake Forest Renaissance Centre | Cultural Center |
| Art After Hours Gallery | Art Gallery |
| Holding Park | Community Park |
| H.L. Miller Park | Recreation Park |
| Flaherty Park Community Center | Recreation Facility |
| North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh) | Museum |
Driving Distances from Wake Forest, North Carolina to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | North Carolina | 18 mi | 30 minutes |
| Durham | North Carolina | 35 mi | 45 minutes |
| Chapel Hill | North Carolina | 45 mi | 1 hour |
| Cary | North Carolina | 30 mi | 45 minutes |
| Rocky Mount | North Carolina | 55 mi | 1 hour |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | 90 mi | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 95 mi | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 170 mi | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Richmond | Virginia | 150 mi | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Wilmington | North Carolina | 150 mi | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Colleges and Universities Near Wake Forest, North Carolina
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Technical Community College | Public | Community College | Associate degrees, workforce training, technology, healthcare, and applied programs |
| North Carolina State University | Public | University | Engineering, agriculture, sciences, business, and research programs |
| William Peace University | Private | University | Liberal arts, business, education, and professional programs |
| Meredith College | Private | College | Liberal arts, education, business, and sciences |
| Wake Forest University | Private | University | Law, medicine, business, arts, sciences, and research |
Waterbodies Near Wake Forest, North Carolina
Falls Lake, Smith Creek, Richland Creek, Neuse River tributaries, and nearby lakes and streams provide opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and outdoor recreation.
Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Wake Forest
Golf Courses: Heritage Golf Club, Wakefield Plantation Golf Club, Paschal Golf Club, and nearby Raleigh-area golf facilities. Stadiums and sports facilities include Trentini Stadium, Wake Forest-Rolesville High School athletic facilities, and nearby Raleigh sports venues.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Wake Forest, North Carolina
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Historic Downtown Wake Forest | Historic District |
| Wake Forest Historical Museum | History Museum |
| Joyner Park | Public Park |
| Wake Forest Renaissance Centre | Cultural Center |
| Falls Lake State Recreation Area | State Recreation Area |
| Holding Park | Community Park |
| Flaherty Park Community Center | Recreation Facility |
| Art After Hours Gallery | Art Gallery |
| North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | Museum |
| Historic Wake Forest College Campus Area | Historic Site |
Wake Forest, North Carolina — Key Historical Facts
- The Wake Forest area was originally inhabited by Native American groups before European settlement expanded into the region.
- The town was named after Wake County and the forested land that surrounded the early settlement.
- Wake Forest College was founded in 1834 and became a major educational institution that shaped the town’s early growth.
- The original Wake Forest College campus helped establish the community as an important center for education in North Carolina.
- In 1946, Wake Forest College moved to Winston-Salem, but the town continued to grow as a residential and business community.
- The arrival of rail transportation in the 19th century supported trade, agriculture, and local development.
- Historic Downtown Wake Forest preserves buildings and landmarks connected to the town’s educational and commercial history.
- Today, Wake Forest is known for its historic character, parks, growing neighborhoods, nearby Falls Lake, and connection to the Raleigh metropolitan area.
References
- United States Census Bureau
- Town of Wake Forest Official Website
- Wake County Official Website
- State of North Carolina Official Website
- Visit North Carolina Tourism
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