Population 89,387 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Northwest Raleigh
Household size in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.22 | 2.63 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.23 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.26 | 2.70 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.15 | 2.64 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Northwest Raleigh are small: just 2.15 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.22 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.1 | 35.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.4 | 36.7 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.1 | 38.1 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.3 | 38.4 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.7 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Northwest Raleigh is 38.3 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.1, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.9% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 11.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.3% | 9.4% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Northwest Raleigh: 7.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Northwest Raleigh
Renters in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8% | 32.1% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.6% | 33.7% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.7% | 34.3% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 47.7% | 33.4% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Northwest Raleigh than nationally: 47.7% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 29.1% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the southeast; owners are most common in the north. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.9 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 9.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 8.6% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 7.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 7.6% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −1.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Just as many homes sit empty in Northwest Raleigh as nationally: 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Raleigh area as a whole (7.6%). Vacancy has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1993 | 1990 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1994 | 1992 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1996 | 1994 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1999 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Northwest Raleigh is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1998, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1993 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east. Only one other Raleigh neighborhood has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $975 | $923 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,064 | $1,018 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,301 | $1,207 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,765 | $1,666 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$791 | +$743 | +$528 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Northwest Raleigh costs $1,765 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $791 a month from 2006–10, an 81% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 29.6% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Northwest Raleigh
Bachelor's degrees in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.8% | 41.7% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 61.7% | 43.0% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 64.1% | 47.3% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 65.0% | 51.6% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.1 pts | +9.8 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Northwest Raleigh is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (65.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.1 points, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.3% | 89.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.3% | 90.6% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.8% | 92.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.8% | 93.3% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +3.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Northwest Raleigh: 96.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Northwest Raleigh has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Raleigh neighborhoods.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Northwest Raleigh
| Period | Northwest Raleigh | Raleigh area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 6.7% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 7.9% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 4.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −2.6 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Northwest Raleigh has been low: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Few Raleigh neighborhoods have lower unemployment: only two of 18. Unemployment has fallen 2.6 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Northwest Raleigh compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Raleigh | 2.15 | 38.3 | 7.3% | 47.7% | 9.6% | 1998 | $1,765 | 65.0% | 96.8% | 2.4% |
| Six Forks | 2.28 | 37.2 | 5.6% | 43.0% | 8.9% | 1987 | $1,768 | 69.9% | 93.7% | 0.8% |
| Glenwood | 2.42 | 41.7 | 3.6% | 34.6% | 7.8% | 1979 | $2,204 | 83.3% | 98.2% | 3.3% |
| Falls of Neuse | 1.87 | 38.6 | 4.3% | 59.0% | 17.2% | 1985 | $1,652 | 63.9% | 90.9% | 0.0% |
| Wade | 2.17 | 32.5 | 4.4% | 40.0% | 12.3% | 1975 | $1,393 | 74.0% | 93.8% | 4.2% |
| North | 2.33 | 42.0 | 9.7% | 35.9% | 9.6% | 1992 | $1,701 | 61.7% | 95.3% | 3.9% |
| Five Points | 2.39 | 38.9 | 8.2% | 30.6% | 8.1% | 1963 | $1,773 | 85.2% | 98.7% | 3.4% |
| West | 2.09 | 29.6 | 8.5% | 73.1% | 13.9% | 1994 | $1,519 | 58.8% | 92.7% | 5.5% |
| Hillsborough | 1.83 | 28.2 | 5.1% | 79.3% | 11.7% | 1984 | $1,365 | 72.1% | 95.7% | 4.2% |
| Mordecai | 1.88 | 36.0 | 5.5% | 28.7% | 9.8% | 1977 | $1,791 | 78.6% | 97.8% | 2.6% |
| North Central | 1.80 | 30.4 | 8.8% | 63.8% | 22.9% | 1993 | $1,554 | 63.2% | 89.5% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Mid City, Los Angeles, CA · Northeast Raleigh, Raleigh, NC · East Arlington, Arlington, TX · South Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ · Southwest Dallas, Dallas, TX · Tremont, Bronx, NY · Bedford Park, Bronx, NY · Anacostia, Washington, DC · Wedgwood, Fort Worth, TX · West, Arlington, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Northwest Raleigh. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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