Wake Forest Population

1880–2026

59,869

2026 projection

25.8% since 2020 (increase)

010K20K30K40K50K60K18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.

Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.

Population by year

Population estimates for Wake Forest. Annual change is shown as a percentage. Growth is the total change since the preceding observation.
202659,869+1,7222.96%
202558,147+1,5332.71%
202456,614+2,3494.33%
202354,265+1,9723.77%
202252,293+1,3702.69%
202150,923+3,3226.98%
202047,601+1,2772.76%
201946,324+1,7033.82%
201844,621+1,9324.53%
201742,689+2,0675.09%

Showing 10 of 30 years.

The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.

Growth since 2020, compared

Wake Forest is growing faster than Wake County, North Carolina, and the U.S.

  • Wake Forest+16.9%
  • Wake County+11.2%
  • North Carolina+7.2%
  • United States+3.1%

Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.

Wake Forest Demographics

38.6median age

Median age

Female39.4 yrs
Male37.4 yrs

Adults

38,842
6,766 seniors (65+) · 17% of adults32,076 other adults

Sex

Female 51.8% · 27,347Male 48.2% · 25,497

Population by age

MaleFemale85+ years, male: 19785+ years, female: 29580–84 years, male: 48680–84 years, female: 65275–79 years, male: 58675–79 years, female: 68470–74 years, male: 1,08770–74 years, female: 1,06765–69 years, male: 72465–69 years, female: 98860–64 years, male: 98460–64 years, female: 1,34855–59 years, male: 1,36655–59 years, female: 1,45650–54 years, male: 2,12250–54 years, female: 1,93545–49 years, male: 2,08345–49 years, female: 2,71540–44 years, male: 2,36540–44 years, female: 2,30235–39 years, male: 1,58035–39 years, female: 1,54930–34 years, male: 1,54830–34 years, female: 1,55725–29 years, male: 1,70025–29 years, female: 1,89520–24 years, male: 1,15420–24 years, female: 1,04315–19 years, male: 2,17815–19 years, female: 2,02510–14 years, male: 1,95610–14 years, female: 2,0675–9 years, male: 1,8985–9 years, female: 2,0840–4 years, male: 1,4830–4 years, female: 1,68585+80–8475–7970–7465–6960–6455–5950–5445–4940–4435–3930–3425–2920–2415–1910–145–90–41K1K2K2K

Hover or tap an age group to see exact counts. Use the up and down arrow keys to inspect age groups.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101

Race and ethnicity

Tap a square or a group below to highlight it.

Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 528 people).

Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002

Wake Forest Income

$123,802median household income

Median household income

$123,802

Half of households earn more, half earn less

Median earnings

$66,331

Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.

Poverty rate

4.5%

About 1 in 22 residents

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Tables S1901, S1501, S1701

Wake Forest Marital Status

59% of residents age 15 and older are married.

MarriedNever married
Overall
Male
Female
Marital status of residents age 15 and older
StatusOverallMaleFemale
Married59%61%56%
Never married27%30%25%
Divorced10%7%12%
Widowed3%1%5%
Separated1%<1%2%

U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201

Sources

14 sources

Population

American Community Survey, 2024 5-year

Additional sources