Fun Facts about Raleigh

1. Where is Raleigh Located?

Raleigh is the state capital and is in north-central North Carolina. To be more specific, Raleigh is located 24 miles southeast of Durham, 63 miles northeast of Fayetteville, 131 miles northwest of Wilmington, 165 miles northeast of Charlotte, and 155 miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia.

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2. How did Raleigh get its name?

Raleigh inherited its name from Sir Walter Raleigh, an explorer, and nobleman who funded the first expeditions to the coast of modern-day North Carolina. He attempted to establish the first English Colony of the new world in the 1580s.

Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the most famous explorers of Elizabeth I's reign, and he quickly became the Queen's favorite. Due to his likeness, the queen forbade him from carrying out his original plan to create English colonies in North America. As the rebel he was, in 1584, 1585, and 1587 Sir Walter organized the voyages that eventually led to his sponsorship of an English colony on Roanoke Island, which is now North Carolina. 

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3. When was Raleigh founded? 

Raleigh began as large tracts of land purchased by Issac Hinter and Joel Lane, who were enterprising landholders. After purchasing their land and settling down, they operated taverns and ordinaries for travelers coming through the north-south route.

The formation of Raleigh began when the NC General Assembly needed a permanent location to conduct state government. Since several cities hosted the state seat, the legislature built a centrally located city where they could discuss, meet, and work.

Raleigh was founded in 1972 after the commissioners purchased 1,000 acres from Joel Lane as the capital and is the only state planned and established by a state as the seat of state government. 

4. What county is Raleigh in?

Most of Raleigh is in Wake County, with a small portion extending into Durham County. The other municipalities within Wake County are Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. 

Wake County was officially created in 1771 from parts of Johnston, Cumberland, and Orange Counties. The name Wake County comes from the wife, Margaret Wake Tryon, of the then-royal governor, William Tryon.

Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the Carolina Hurricanes. 

5. What is the population of Raleigh? 

As the tenth-most populous city in the Southeast, Raleigh is consistently growing. According to World Population Review, the population of Raleigh, NC, is $472,540. It is also the 2nd largest city in North Carolina and the 41st largest city in the United States. As of 2023, Raleigh is growing at 0.36 annually and by 1.09% since the latest census. Raleigh has a population density of 3,239 people per square mile (147 miles). 

6. How big is Raleigh? 

The city of Raleigh covers a land area of 147.6 square miles and has an average altitude of 96 meters above sea level. 

7. What is Raleigh known as? 

Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its abundance of Oak trees that line the roads and streets in the city's heart. The trees are beautiful and provide a lushes green canopy throughout the area. Raleigh has white, red, and black oaks and hybrid varieties. 

Raleigh is also often called the "Smithsonian of the South" because of the quality and quantity of free museums and as being a part of "The Triangle," which comprises Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. 

8. What is the cost of living in Raleigh? 

According to Rentcafe, the cost of living in Raleigh is 1% higher than the state average and 4% lower than the national average. The cost of necessities is roughly 5% less in Raleigh. Regarding housing, the average monthly rent is $1,612, and home prices are around $400,000. 

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9. What are the demographics in Raleigh?  

• White: 57.5%

• Black or African American: 28.9%

• Asian: 4.84%

• Two or more races: 4.25%

• Other races: 4.17%

• Native American: 0.3%

• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%

10. The first public park in North Carolina

Pullen Park has 66 acres of fun and educational opportunities for kids and adults. It was the first public park in North Carolina and the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the United States.

There is a community center, an aquatic center, playgrounds, courts and fields, an arts center, a cafe, a theatre in the park, shelters, and rentals. At Pullen Park, you can:

• Rent a pedal boat

• Ride on a carousel

• Go swimming

• Sign up for an art class

• See a play

• Play sports 

11. Largest selection of beers on tap

Visiting the Raleigh Beer Garden is a must. They have made the Guinness Book of World Records for their supply of over 350 beers, both North Carolina and international options.

The NC bar located downstairs features 144 draft taps, and the global bar located upstairs features 222 varieties from the rest of the world. They also have a rooftop with 12 rotating taps and a 24-tap system in the backyard event field. 

12. Distance from other major cities

• Charlotte, NC - 143 miles 

• Wilmington, NC - 123 miles 

• Washington, D.C. - 251 miles 

• Asheville, NC - 241 miles 

• Nashville, Tenn. - 515 miles

• Orlando, FL - 588 miles 

• Atlanta, GA - 424 miles 

• New York City. NY - 489 miles 

• Chicago, IL - 784 miles 

13. Raleigh has a double-sided flag 

Only 450 cities across the country have a flag, and Raleigh, NC, is one of them. However, Raleigh is one of the only cities with designs on the front and on the back.

The flag that hangs today has been Raleigh's official flag since 1899 and was first designed by the Raleigh flag committee and sewn by Miss Kate Densen. The colors come from Sir Walter Raleigh, the crest pays homage to the Olde English translation of Raleigh, the text "Amore et Virtute" means "by love and virtue," and the seal on the front embodies the "city of oaks" nickname. 

14. The capitol building was originally a tomb 

Some many mysteries and stories surround the Capitol building. One is that the Capitol Building was initially designed as a tomb for the wife of Governor Montfort Stokes. The building became a meeting place for the state legislature when it was too large. 

The Capitol was built in 1840 and is one of the best preserved in the country. Over the year, many have told stories of ghost sightings, voices, hauntings, and more. Additionally, there have been said to be screams of a woman reportedly murdered on the state Capitol's steps. 

All of the stories have never been proven. However, they are widely believed. 

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