Raleigh is located in the north-east of the state of North Carolina, United States. It is the capital and second largest city in the state of North Carolina, and 42nd largest city in the United States. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks", for its dense forest of oak tree.
Raleigh, North Carolina Quick Facts
| City | Raleigh |
| County | Wake County |
| State | North Carolina |
| State Capital | Raleigh |
| US Region | South |
| Latitude | 35.7796° N |
| Longitude | 78.6382° W |
| Elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| Land Area (sq mi) | 148.54 |
| Water Area (sq mi) | 1.10 |
| Total Area (sq mi) | 149.64 |
| Population (2020 Census) | 467,665 |
| Population Density (per sq mi) | 3,148 |
| ZIP Codes | 27511, 27513, 27518, 27601, 27603, 27604, 27605, 27606, 27607, 27608, 27609, 27610, 27612, 27613, 27614, 27615, 27616, 27617 |
| Area Code | 919, 984 |
| Time Zone Standard | Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4) |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 37-55000 |
| Congressional District | North Carolina's 2nd and 13th Congressional Districts |
Nearby Cities to Raleigh, North Carolina
- Cary, North Carolina - 8 mi West
- Morrisville, North Carolina - 12 mi West
- Garner, North Carolina - 5 mi South
- Wake Forest, North Carolina - 16 mi North
- Apex, North Carolina - 15 mi Southwest
- Knightdale, North Carolina - 9 mi East
- Durham, North Carolina - 25 mi Northwest
- Holly Springs, North Carolina - 18 mi Southwest
- Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina - 18 mi South
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina - 30 mi West
Raleigh, North Carolina Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51 | 31 | 3.5 |
| April | 73 | 49 | 3.4 |
| July | 89 | 70 | 4.8 |
| October | 73 | 50 | 3.2 |
| Annual | 72 | 50 | 46.0 |
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Humid Subtropical (Cfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | 46.0 in |
| Annual Sunshine Days | 213 |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Moderate Hurricane Risk, Moderate Tornado Risk |
| Snowfall | 4.7 in |
Driving Distances from Raleigh, North Carolina
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | North Carolina | 25 | 30 min |
| Chapel Hill | North Carolina | 30 | 35 min |
| Cary | North Carolina | 8 | 15 min |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | 79 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 65 | 1 hr 10 min |
| Wilmington | North Carolina | 132 | 2 hr 15 min |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 167 | 2 hr 40 min |
| Richmond | Virginia | 170 | 2 hr 45 min |
| Asheville | North Carolina | 250 | 4 hr |
| Norfolk | Virginia | 190 | 3 hr 15 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Raleigh, North Carolina
| Airport Name | Raleigh-Durham International Airport |
| IATA Code | RDU |
| Port | No Seaport |
| Major Highways | I-40, I-440, I-540, US 1, US 64 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Available via Raleigh Union Station |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | GoRaleigh, GoTriangle, and regional transit services |
- Interstate 40 - Connects Raleigh with Durham, Greensboro, Wilmington, and Asheville.
- Interstate 440 - Inner beltline serving central Raleigh.
- Interstate 540 - Outer loop connecting suburbs and the airport area.
- U.S. Route 1 - Major north-south corridor linking Raleigh with Virginia and South Carolina.
- U.S. Route 64 - Connects Raleigh with eastern North Carolina and the Piedmont region.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Raleigh, North Carolina
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| North Carolina State Capitol | Historic Landmark |
| North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences | Museum |
| North Carolina Museum of Art | Museum |
| Pullen Park | Park |
| Marbles Kids Museum | Museum |
| JC Raulston Arboretum | Botanical Garden |
| William B. Umstead State Park | State Park |
| Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | Performing Arts Venue |
| PNC Arena | Sports Venue |
| Historic Yates Mill County Park | Historic Site |
Economy and Major Employers in Raleigh, North Carolina
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government | State of North Carolina | State capital and major public-sector employer. |
| Technology | Research Triangle Technology Firms | Supports a large innovation economy. |
| Higher Education | North Carolina State University | Major research and educational institution. |
| Healthcare | WakeMed Health & Hospitals | Large regional healthcare provider. |
| Biotechnology | Life Sciences Industry | Growing sector in the Research Triangle. |
| Finance | Financial Services Companies | Important contributor to employment. |
| Retail | Retail and Consumer Services | Supports regional commerce. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Convention Industry | Benefits from museums and events. |
Colleges and Universities in Raleigh, North Carolina
| Institution Name | Type (Public/Private) | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina State University | Public | University | Engineering and research programs |
| Meredith College | Private | College | Women's liberal arts education |
| William Peace University | Private | University | Liberal arts and professional studies |
| Shaw University | Private | University | Historically Black university |
| Saint Augustine's University | Private | University | Historically Black institution |
| Wake Technical Community College | Public | Community College | Largest community college in North Carolina |
| Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law | Private | University | Legal education |
| ECPI University - Raleigh Campus | Private | University | Technology and healthcare programs |
Waterbodies in Raleigh, North Carolina
Falls Lake, Lake Wheeler, Lake Johnson, Neuse River, Crabtree Creek, Walnut Creek, Swift Creek, Lake Benson, Shelley Lake, Richland Creek
Golf Courses in Raleigh, North Carolina
Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Raleigh Country Club, Carolina Country Club, Wildwood Green Golf Club, River Ridge Golf Club, Eagle Ridge Golf Club, The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club, Brier Creek Country Club, Heritage Golf Club, Pine Hollow Golf Club
Raleigh, North Carolina - Key Historical Facts
- Raleigh was established in 1792 and was specifically planned to serve as the capital of North Carolina.
- The city was named in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored English exploration of the North Carolina coast.
- Raleigh remained a relatively small government center throughout much of the 19th century.
- The arrival of railroads helped expand trade, industry, and population growth.
- North Carolina State University, founded in 1887, became a major force in the city's development.
- Raleigh is now part of the Research Triangle, one of the leading technology and research regions in the United States.
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