Rich in History and Still Thriving

Before you make any decisions about moving to any city or town in Wake County, it’s always a good idea to become familiar with the community and its history first. That’s why this section on the Wake County area information is both important and helpful too. After you review the area information, be sure to contact your TriangleHomeExpert.com to schedule your initial WakeCounty home buying consultation.

Wake County – A Family of Communities

Welcome home to Wake County – Every year you hear that statement uttered thousands of times by those welcoming yet another family to one of the many communities here in Wake County. In fact, Wake County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of North Carolina. Wake County cities and towns that have experienced the most rapid growth recently include Holly Springs, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, Rolesville, Wendell, and Knightdale. The remaining towns, cities and communities that enjoy vibrant economies and growth include Garner, Wake Forest, and Zebulon.

History of Wake County

In 1771, the General Assembly of the great state of North Carolina created Wake County from Johnston, Cumberland and Orange counties. From that monumental event, Wake County was “born”. Wake County is named for the London heiress Ms. Margaret Wake, who was the wife of William Tryon, the Royal Governor of the British colony of North Carolina. You might be interested to know the first governors’ residence (Tryon Palace) and state capital of North Carolina was established in the city of New Bern 2 hours southeast of Raleigh on Highway #70. From 1771 until 1792, the city of New Bern served as the state capital. Then in 1792, North Carolina state leaders then decided to locate the capital of North Carolina to the city of Raleigh in Wake County. Even though Raleigh was the seat of state and county government, it remained a small Southern agricultural-based town until the 1920s, and the surrounding countryside remained primarily rural until after World War II.

Connections to Our Past Dot the Wake County Landscape

Take a leisurely drive from Raleigh to Holly Springs or the charming town of Apex and you will still see rural landmarks of farm farmhouses, outbuildings (mostly old “tobacco barns”), and small community churches that harkens to Wake County’s rural roots. Because Wake County is a popular relocation destination with hundreds of people relocating to the area daily, growth is beginning to replace these rural landmarks that were so important to the social fabric of Wake County’s rural communities.

Old and New Wake County Creates New Era

Today, new WakeCounty real estate developments, mixed commerce and livable spaces along with commercial development and schools are slowly replacing these vestiges’ of traditional rural life. Even smaller community churches, schools and country stores are quietly vanishing as growth occurs in the more rural areas of Wake County. Despite all of the growth in recent years, interest in Wake County's rural and small-town way of life thrives. Many local public and private groups in concert with historical societies now promote local community pride especially among Wake County’s new residents.