Wake County Map, North Carolina

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 05, 2026 | 06:10 ET

Map of Wake County - Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Wake County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Wake County located in the map, major cities in Wake county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Wake County, North Carolina

About Wake County, North Carolina

Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It's county seat is Raleigh. As per 2020 census, the population of Wake County is 1150204 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 857 sq mi (2,220 km2). Wake County was established on 1771.

Wake County Facts

ContinentNorth America
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
County SeatRaleigh
Largest City/TownRaleigh
Established1771
Total Area857 sq mi (2,219 sq km)
Land Area835 sq mi (2,163 sq km)
Water Area22 sq mi (56 sq km)
Population1,129,410 (Census 2020)
Population Density1,353 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern Time Zone (ET)
Major HighwaysI-40, I-440, I-540, US-1, US-64, US-70
Major RiversNeuse River
Neighboring CountiesDurham County, Franklin County, Granville County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Chatham County
Famous ForRaleigh (state capital), Research Triangle, universities, tech industry
Top AttractionsNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park, North Carolina State Capitol
Official WebsiteOfficial Website

About Wake County, North Carolina

Wake County is located in the central part of North Carolina, in the state of the United States, and was established in 1771. The county seat is Raleigh, which is also the largest city and the state capital. The county lies in the Piedmont region and is part of the Research Triangle, known for its strong economy, major universities, and rapidly growing technology sector.

Cities and Towns in Wake County, North Carolina

City/TownPopulation (Census 2020)Latitude & Longitude
Raleigh (county seat)467,66535.7796°N, 78.6382°W
Cary174,72135.7915°N, 78.7811°W
Apex58,78035.7327°N, 78.8503°W
Wake Forest47,60135.9799°N, 78.5097°W
Holly Springs41,23935.6513°N, 78.8336°W
Morrisville29,63035.8235°N, 78.8256°W
Garner31,15935.7113°N, 78.6142°W
Zebulon6,90335.8243°N, 78.3144°W
Knightdale19,43535.7876°N, 78.4803°W
Rolesville9,47535.9238°N, 78.4564°W
Wendell9,55335.7807°N, 78.3692°W

Golf Courses in Wake County, North Carolina

Golf CourseLocationLatitude & Longitude
Lonnie Poole Golf CourseRaleigh35.7800°N, 78.6700°W
Prestonwood Country ClubCary35.8000°N, 78.8000°W
Eagle Ridge Golf ClubRaleigh35.6800°N, 78.6900°W

Roads and Highways in Wake County, North Carolina

Wake County is a major transportation hub with extensive highway networks.

  • I-40 – major interstate connecting Raleigh to Durham and Wilmington
  • I-440 – beltline around Raleigh
  • I-540 – outer loop around the Raleigh area
  • US-1 – connects Raleigh to southern and northern regions
  • US-64 – runs east–west through the county
  • US-70 – provides regional connectivity

Neighboring Counties of Wake County

  • Durham County (west)
  • Granville County (north)
  • Franklin County (northeast)
  • Nash County (east)
  • Johnston County (southeast)
  • Harnett County (south)
  • Chatham County (southwest)

Top Attractions in Wake County, North Carolina

The county offers museums, parks, and urban attractions.

  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – largest natural history museum in the Southeast
  • Pullen Park – historic park with rides and green space
  • William B. Umstead State Park – hiking, biking, and nature trails
  • North Carolina State Capitol – historic government building
  • North Carolina Museum of Art – art collections and outdoor park
  • Downtown Raleigh – dining, shopping, and entertainment

Distance from Wake County to Nearby Cities

  • Raleigh to Durham – 25 mi (40 km)
  • Raleigh to Greensboro – 75 mi (121 km)
  • Raleigh to Charlotte – 170 mi (274 km)
  • Raleigh to Wilmington – 130 mi (209 km)
  • Raleigh to Richmond, VA – 160 mi (257 km)

FAQs about Wake County

Where is Wake County located?

Wake County is located in central North Carolina and includes the state capital, Raleigh.

What is the population of Wake County?

The population of Wake County is 1,129,410 according to the 2020 Census.

What is Wake County known for?

Wake County is known for Raleigh, the Research Triangle, universities, and its technology industry.

What are the major highways in Wake County?

Major highways include I-40, I-440, I-540, US-1, US-64, and US-70.

Are there golf courses in Wake County?

Yes, Wake County has several golf courses including Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Prestonwood Country Club, and Eagle Ridge Golf Club.