Wake County, North Carolina
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2008-07-17T00:54:57Z
PhilKnight
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{{Infobox U.S. County|
county = Wake County|
state = North Carolina |
seal = Wake county logo.jpg |
map = Map of North Carolina highlighting Wake County.png |
map size = 250|
founded = 1771|
seat = [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]] |
area_total_sq_mi =857 |
area_land_sq_mi =832 |
area_water_sq_mi =25 |
area percentage = 2.95% |
census estimate yr = 2007|
pop = 832970 |
density_km2 = 387|
web = www.wakegov.com|
|}}
'''Wake County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of 2007, the population was 832,970,<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=WakeGov.com Population | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.wakegov.com/planning/demographic/dd_Population.htm | work =Wake County Government | pages = | accessdate = 2008-02-11 | language = }}</ref> making it the second most populated county in the state after [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]{{GR|6}}, also the state capital.
Wake County is part of the [[Research Triangle]] metropolitan region, which consists of Raleigh, [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]], and [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]] and surrounding areas. The regional name originated after the 1959 creation of the [[Research Triangle Park]], located midway between Raleigh and Durham. The Research Triangle region encompasses the [[Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau's]] [[Combined Statistical Area|Combined Statistical Area (CSA)]] of Raleigh-Durham-[[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]]. The estimated population of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary CSA was 1,565,223 as of [[July 1]], [[2006]], with the Raleigh-Cary [[United States metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)]] portion estimated at 994,551 residents.<ref name=PopEstCBSA>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CBSA-EST2006-01) | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2006 Population Estimates | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = [[2007-04-05]] | accessdate = 2007-04-05}}</ref>
Wake County is the 9th fastest growing county in the United States,<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/real_estate/0703/gallery.fastest_growing_counties/9.html 10 fastest-growing U.S. counties | 9 | CNNMoney.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with cities such as Cary and Raleigh being the 8th and 15th fastest growing cities, respectively.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/27/real_estate/258_fastest_growing_cities/index.htm The 258 fastest growing U.S. cities - Jun. 27, 2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==History==
===Early history===
The earliest inhabitants of present day Wake County were the [[Tuscarora (tribe)|Tuscarora]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. After the [[Tuscarora War]] in 1711, they were defeated and moved to [[New York]] to join the [[Iroquois]] nation.
The county was formed in 1771 from parts of [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland County]], [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston County]], and [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]]. It was named for Margaret Wake, wife of Governor [[William Tryon]]. The first courthouse was built at a place called Wake Courthouse, commonly known as Bloomsbury. In 1771, the first elections and court were held, and the first militia was formed.
Wake County lost some its land area during the subsequent formation of other new counties. Portions were taken by [[Franklin County, North Carolina|Franklin County]] in 1787 and by [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham County]] in 1881 and 1911.
During the [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial]] period of North Carolina, the state capital was [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]]. For several years, during and after the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], there was no capital, and the [[North Carolina General Assembly|General Assembly]] met in various locations. In 1792, a commission was appointed to select a site for a permanent state capital. The members of the commission were leaning toward land owned by Colonel John Hinton across the [[Neuse River]], but on the night before the final vote, the committee adjourned to the [[Joel Lane House|home of Joel Lane]] for an evening of food and spirits. The next day, the vote was in Lane's favor.
Raleigh was named after [[Sir Walter Raleigh]], and established on {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} purchased from Lane. Sir Walter Raleigh never set foot in the United States, but two centuries earlier he had sponsored the establishment of the first English [[Roanoke Colony|colony]] on the North Carolina shore at [[Roanoke Island]]. The city of Raleigh became both the state capital as well as the new county seat of Wake County. Raleigh is the only [[New town|planned]] state capital in the United States.{{dubious|Raleigh as "Only" Planned Capital}}<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncwake/history.htm Wake County USGenWeb - History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===19th century===
{{expandsection|date=March 2008}}
===20th century===
{{expandsection|date=March 2008}}
== Law and government ==
Wake County is a member of the regional [[Triangle J Council of Governments]]. The county is governed by a seven-member board of [[County commission|County Commissioners]], elected at large to serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that, every two years, three or four Commissioners are up for election. The Commissioners enact policies such as establishment of the [[property tax]] rate, regulation of land use and [[Zoning in the United States|zoning]] outside municipal jurisdictions, and adoption of the annual budget. Commissioners meet on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Current Commissioners are Joe Bryan (Chair), Betty Lou Ward (Vice-Chair), Lindy Brown, Paul Coble, Kenn Gardner, Tony Gurley, and Harold Webb. David Cooke is the County Manager. <ref>[http://www.wakegov.com/commissioners/default.htm WakeGOV.com - Wake County Board of Commissioners & Elected Officials<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
[[Image:North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh.jpg|thumb|250px|[[North Carolina State Capitol]]]]
== Politics ==
Although [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential candidates have only won the county in three of the last 12 elections (Kennedy in 1960, Johnson in 1964 and Clinton in 1992), the races have almost always been close, such as in 1980, when [[Ronald Reagan]] won by a landslide nationwide, but by a mere 1% in Wake County. Recently, [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[George W. Bush]] won the county in 2000 with 53% and defeated [[John Kerry]] in 2004 by a slim 51% to 49%.
Recently, statewide Democrats have fared well here. In the 1998 Senate Race, Democrat [[John Edwards]] won in Wake County, which helped him in his defeat of incumbent Republican [[Lauch Faircloth]]. In 2000 Democrat Governor [[Mike Easley]] won here with 55% of the vote. In 2004, Easley won again in Wake County by nearly 20%, winning with 59% to 40% for opponent [[Patrick Ballantine]]. Democratic candidate for US Senate [[Erskine Bowles]] won in Wake County with 52 percent, despite losing statewide to [[Richard Burr]] by the same margin. In 2002, however, Republican [[Elizabeth Dole]] defeated Bowles with 55% of the vote here, and won by a large margin statewide.
Democratic voters are mainly located in the city of [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], while Republicans are the majority in the rural areas in the north and western parts of the county. The outskirts of Raleigh, and the cities of [[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]] and [[Apex, North Carolina|Apex]] are where most of the swing voters are located.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 857 square miles (2,220 km²), of which, 832 square miles (2,155 km²) of it is land and 25 square miles (66 km²) of it (2.95%) is water.
Wake County is located in the northeast central region of North Carolina, where the [[Piedmont (United States)|North American Piedmont]] and [[Atlantic Coastal Plain]] regions meet. This area is known as the "[[fall line]]" because it marks the elevation inland at which waterfalls begin to appear in creeks and rivers. As a result, most of Wake County features gently rolling hills that slope eastward toward the state's flat coastal plain. Its central Piedmont location situates the county about three hours west of [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina|Atlantic Beach]], North Carolina, by car and four hours east of the [[Great Smoky Mountains]] of the [[Appalachian Mountains|Appalachian range]].
Bodies of water that are located in Wake County include [[Lake Crabtree]], [[Crabtree Creek]], the [[Neuse River]], and portions of [[Falls Lake]] and [[Jordan Lake]].
===Climate===
Wake County enjoys a moderate [[subtropical climate]], with moderate temperatures in the spring, fall, and winter. Summers are typically hot with high [[humidity]]. Winter highs generally range in the low 50s[[Fahrenheit|°F]] (10 to 13 [[Celsius|°C]]) with lows in the low-to-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2°C), although an occasional 60°F (15°C) or warmer winter day is not uncommon. Spring and fall days usually reach the low-to-mid 70s°F (low 20s°C), with lows at night in the lower 50s°F (10 to 14°C). Summer daytime highs often reach the upper 80s to low 90s°F (29 to 35°C). The rainiest months are July and August.
The county receives on average {{convert|2|in|mm}} of [[snow]] in the winter. [[Freezing rain]] and [[sleet]] occur most winters, and occasionally the area experiences a major damaging [[ice storm]].<ref>[http://www.wakegov.com/about/facts/default.htm WakeGOV.com - Wake County Facts & Numbers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Economy==
Wake County's economy is heavily influenced by the Research Triangle Park (RTP), located between Durham and Raleigh. RTP is the country's largest [[industrial park]] and a primary center in the United States for [[high-tech]] and [[biotech]] research, as well as textile development. The Park is home to more than 160 companies employing over 50,000 people.<ref>[http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php?pid=178&sec=1 The Research Triangle Park<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The largest employers in the Park include [[IBM]] (11,000 employees), [[GlaxoSmithKline]] (6,400 employees), and [[Cisco Systems]] (3,400 employees). <ref>[http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php?pid=166&sec=1 The Research Triangle Park<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Wake County's industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; and pharmaceuticals. The [[agriculture]] industry is visible in rural areas of the county, with tobacco, cotton, wheat, soybeans and corn being the most common products grown.
[[SAS Institute]], one of the largest privately held software companies in the world,<ref>[http://www.sas.com/corporate/overview/index.html About SAS | SAS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> is located in Cary. Other major companies based in Wake County include [[RBC Centura]], [[Progress Energy Inc]], [[3Dsolve]], [[Carquest]], [[Bear Rock Cafe|Bear Rock Foods]], [[Cotton Incorporated]], [[Epic Games]], [[Lord Corporation]], [[Lenovo Group]] (U.S. headquarters), [[Tekelec]], [[Red Hat]], [[Golden Corral]] and [[Martin Marietta Materials]].
In 2007, [[Forbes]] magazine listed Raleigh and Cary among the best cities to find jobs in the Unites States,<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/home/2007/02/15/best-cities-jobs-leadership-careers_cx_hc_0216cityjobs_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000 By The Numbers: The 25 Best U.S. Cities For Jobs - Forbes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> as well as being the area ranked as the best place for business and careers.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/1/07bestplaces_Raleigh-NC_100138.html #1 Raleigh NC - Forbes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Also in 2007, [[CNN]] ranked the region has the 3rd best area for job growth, the top region for [[technology]] workers,<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/biz2/0704/gallery.jobs_markets.biz2/3.html America's best jobs in the hottest markets | 3 | Business 2.0<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and Bizjournals.com ranked it as the 4th best place for young adult job seekers.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/pages/73.html bizjournals: Rank of large metros for young adult job seekers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Demographics==
{| class="toccolours" align="right" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0 0 1em 1em; font-size: 95%;"
|-
! colspan=2 bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center"| Historical populations
|-
! align="center"| Census<br>year !! align="right"| Population
|-
| colspan=2|<hr>
|-
| align="center"| 1900 || align="right"| 54,626
|-
| align="center"| 1910 || align="right"| 63,229
|-
| align="center"| 1920 || align="right"| 75,155
|-
| align="center"| 1930 || align="right"| 94,757
|-
| align="center"| 1940 || align="right"| 109,544
|-
| align="center"| 1950 || align="right"| 136,450
|-
| align="center"| 1960 || align="right"| 169,082
|-
| align="center"| 1970 || align="right"| 229,006
|-
| align="center"| 1980 || align="right"| 301,429
|-
| align="center"| 1990 || align="right"| 426,311
|-
| align="center"| 2000 || align="right"| 627,846
|-
| align="center"| 2007 || align="right"| 832,970
|-
|}
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 627,846 people, 242,040 households, and 158,778 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 755 people per square mile (291/km²). There were 258,953 housing units at an average density of 311 per square mile (120/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 72.40% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.72% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.34% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 3.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.48% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.64% from two or more races. 5.41% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 242,040 households out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 10.70% from 18 to 24, 36.50% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $54,988, and the median income for a family was $67,149. Males had a median income of $44,472 versus $31,579 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $27,004. About 4.90% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.
==Cities and towns==
===Municipalities===
Municipalities, with populations as of July 2006. Municipalities in ''italics'' overlap county borders. These population figures reflect only the part of those municipalities that lie within Wake County.<ref> Population figures from [http://demog.state.nc.us/], retrieved Nov. 7, 2007.</ref>
*[[Apex, North Carolina|Apex]], 28,830
*''[[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]], 122,139''
*[[Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina|Fuquay-Varina]], 12,913
*[[Garner, North Carolina|Garner]], 23,507
*[[Holly Springs, North Carolina|Holly Springs]], 17,165
*[[Knightdale, North Carolina|Knightdale]], 8,671
*''[[Morrisville, North Carolina|Morrisville]], 13,501''
*''[[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], 352,919''
*[[Rolesville, North Carolina|Rolesville]], 1,792
*''[[Wake Forest, North Carolina|Wake Forest]], 22,628''
*[[Wendell, North Carolina|Wendell]], 5,421
*''[[Zebulon, North Carolina|Zebulon]], 4,781''
[[Image:Map of Wake County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Wake County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels]]
===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Auburn, North Carolina|Auburn]]
*[[Bonsal, North Carolina|Bonsal]]
*[[Carpenter, North Carolina|Carpenter]]
*[[Chestnut Hills, Wake County, North Carolina|Chestnut Hills]]
*[[Clegg, North Carolina|Clegg]]
*[[Eagle Rock, North Carolina|Eagle Rock]]
*[[Falls, North Carolina|Falls]]
*[[Feltonville, North Carolina|Feltonville]]
*[[Forestville, North Carolina|Forestville]]
*[[Green Level, North Carolina|Green Level]]
*[[Kennebec, North Carolina|Kennebec]]
*[[Lizard Lick, North Carolina|Lizard Lick]]
*[[McCullers Crossroads, North Carolina|McCullers Crossroads]]
*[[Neuse, North Carolina|Neuse]]
*[[New Hill, North Carolina|New Hill]]
*[[Riley Hill, North Carolina|Riley Hill]]
*[[Shotwell, North Carolina|Shotwell]]
*[[Stony Hill, North Carolina|Stony Hill]]
*[[Swift Creek, North Carolina|Swift Creek]]
*[[Willow Spring, North Carolina|Willow Spring]]
===Townships===
The county is divided into twenty [[township (United States)|townships]]: [[Bartons Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Bartons Creek]], [[Buckhorn Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Buckhorn]], [[Cary Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Cary]], [[Cedar Fork Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Cedar Fork]], [[Holly Springs Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Holly Springs]], [[House Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina|House Creek]], [[Leesville Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Leesville]], [[Little River Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Little River]], [[Marks Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Marks Creek]], [[Meredith Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Meredith]], [[Middle Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Middle Creek]], [[Neuse Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Neuse]], [[New Light Township, Wake County, North Carolina|New Light]], [[Panther Branch Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Panther Branch]], [[Raleigh Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[St. Mary's Township, Wake County, North Carolina|St. Mary's]], [[St. Matthew's Township, Wake County, North Carolina|St. Matthew's]], [[Swift Creek Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Swift Creek]], [[Wake Forest Township, Wake County, North Carolina|Wake Forest]], and [[White Oak Township, Wake County, North Carolina|White Oak]].
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Granville County, North Carolina]] - north
*[[Franklin County, North Carolina]] - northeast
*[[Nash County, North Carolina]] - east
*[[Johnston County, North Carolina]] - southeast
*[[Harnett County, North Carolina]] - southwest
*[[Chatham County, North Carolina]] - west
*[[Durham County, North Carolina]] - northwest
==Education==
===Higher education===
[[Image:NCSU Belltower.png|thumb|Memorial Bell Tower at [[North Carolina State University]]]]
Wake County is home to seven institutions of higher learning. They include: [[Meredith College]], [[North Carolina State University]], [[Peace College]], [[Saint Augustine's College]], [[Shaw University]], [[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and [[Wake Technical Community College]].
The [[State Library of North Carolina]] is an institution which serves North Carolina libraries, state government employees, [[Genealogy|genealogists]], and the citizens of North Carolina. There are two locations in Raleigh.
===Primary and secondary education===
[[Public school|Public education]] in Wake County is administered by the [[Wake County Public School System]], the 19th largest public school district in the country with over 134,000 students.<ref>[http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/wake/story/734480.html newsobserver.com | Wake school enrollment in top 20<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> There are 20 high schools, 30 middle schools, 93 elementary schools and 8 specialized schools. In addition, nine [[charter schools]] and 31 [[private schools]] are located in the county. Wake County is ranked the #1 school district in the country for certified teachers.<ref>[http://www.raleigh-wake.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=accolades.html Accolades<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Libraries===
The Wake County [[Public Library]] system operates 19 branches throughout the county. There are nine facilities in Raleigh. Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Wake Forest, Zebulon, Knightale, and Wendell each have one library facility.<ref>[http://www.wakegov.com/libraries/locations/default.htm WakeGOV.com - Library Locations<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Culture==
===Museums===
*[[North Carolina Museum of Art]]
*[[North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences]]
*[[North Carolina Museum of History]]
*[[Raleigh City Museum]]
*[[Exploris|Marbles Kid's Museum]]
*[[J.C. Raulston Arboretum]]
*[[Joel Lane House]]
*[[Page-Walker Hotel]]
*[[Mordecai House]]
*[[North Carolina Railroad Museum]]
*[[Pope House Museum]]
*[[North Carolina Contemporary Art Museum]]
*[[Artspace (North Carolina)|Artspace]]
===Performing arts===
The [[Walnut Creek Amphitheatre]] hosts major international touring acts. The [[Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts]] complex houses the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, the Fletcher Opera Theater, the Kennedy Theatre, and the Meymandi Concert Hall. During the [[NC State Fair|North Carolina State Fair]], [[Dorton Arena]] hosts headline acts. Theater performances are also offered at the [[Raleigh Little Theatre]], Theatre in the Park and Stewart Theater at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Applause! Cary Youth Theatre, Cary Players Community Theatre, Sertoma Amphiteatre at Bond Park, and [[Koka Booth Amphitheatre]] are located in Cary. Other theatre and performing arts locations include The Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex and Garner Historic Auditorium in Garner. Local colleges and universities add to the options available for viewing live performances.
Wake County is home to several professional arts organizations, including the [[North Carolina Symphony]], the Opera Company of North Carolina, the North Carolina Theatre, and Carolina Ballet.
===Visual arts===
The North Carolina Museum of Art, occupying a large suburban campus on Blue Ridge Road near the State Fairgrounds, houses one of the premier public art collections located between [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]]. In addition to collections of [[Visual arts of the United States|American Art]], [[Western art history|European Art]] and [[ancient art]],<ref>[http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/north-carolina/raleigh/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654619261 North Carolina Museum of Art - Reviews and Ratings of Sights in Raleigh - New York Times Travel<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the museum recently has hosted major exhibitions featuring [[Auguste Rodin]] (in 2000) and [[Claude Monet]] (in 2006-07), each attracting more than 200,000 visitors. <ref>[http://www.artscapemedia.com/podcasts/archives/2006/09/dr_lawrence_whe.html ARTSCAPE: Dr. Lawrence Wheeler, Director, North Carolina Museum of Art, 8-25-06<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1137143/ Monet Exhibit Sets New Attendance Record at N.C. Museum of Art :: WRAL.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Unlike most public museums, the North Carolina Museum of Art acquired a large number of the works in its permanent collection through purchases with public funds. The museum's outdoor park is one of the largest such [[sculpture park|art parks]] in the country.<ref>[http://www.ncartmuseum.org/museumpark.shtml North Carolina Museum of Art - The Museum Park<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Sports==
===Professional===
The [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Carolina Hurricanes]] franchise moved to Raleigh in 1997 from [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Connecticut]]. Their home arena, the [[RBC Center]], also plays host to concerts and other public events. The Hurricanes are the only major league ([[NFL]], [[NHL]], [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], [[MLB]]) professional sports team in North Carolina to have won a championship, winning the [[Stanley Cup]] in 2006, over the [[Edmonton Oilers]].
The [[Carolina Railhawks]] of the [[USL First Division|United Soccer Leagues]] are located in Cary and their home field is the [[WakeMed Soccer Park]]. The team won the 2007 [[Southern Derby]] competition.
The [[Carolina Mudcats]] is a [[minor league baseball]] team located in eastern Wake County. The team, which plays in the [[Southern League (baseball)|Southern League]], is the [[Minor league baseball#Extant farm system|Double-A ]] affiliate of the [[Florida Marlins]] major-league club. Their ballpark, [[Five County Stadium]], is located in Zebulon.
The Research Triangle region has hosted the [[PGA|Professional Golfers' Association (PGA)]] [[Nationwide Tour]] [[Rex Hospital Open]] since 1994, with the current location of play at Raleigh's Wakefield Plantation.
[[Image:RBC Center.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[N.C. State]] basketball game at the [[RBC Center]]]]
===College===
North Carolina State University, which is a member of the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] (ACC) and [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) [[Division I]], plays their home basketball games at the RBC Center and home football games at [[Carter-Finley Stadium]].
Other institutions of higher learning that compete in competitive sports includes: St. Augustine's College (NCAA [[Division II]], [[Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association]] (CIAA)), Meredith College (NCAA [[Division III]] and [[USA South Athletic Conference]]), Peace College (NCAA Division III and USA South Athletic Conference), and Shaw University (NCAA Division II, CIAA).
===Amateur===
The [[North Carolina Tigers]], an [[Australian Rules football]] club in the [[USAFL|United States Australian Football League (USAFL)]] and competing in the [[EAFL|Eastern Australian Football League (EAFL)]], are based in Raleigh.
Wake County is also home to the [[Carolina Rollergirls]], an all-women flat-track roller derby team that is a competing member of the [[WFTDA|Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)]]. The Carolina Rollergirls compete at the North Carolina State Fairground's [[Dorton Arena]].
The [[USA Baseball]] National Training Complex is located in Cary.
==Transportation==
===Passenger===
[[Image:RDU-27527.jpg|thumb|An [[American Airlines]] [[Boeing 777]] from [[London Gatwick]], lands at [[Raleigh-Durham International Airport|RDU]].]]
*Air: [[Raleigh-Durham International Airport]] (RDU) is located in northwestern Wake county off [[Interstate 40|I-40]]. The airport offers service to over 45 domestic and international destinations, <ref>[http://rdu.com/airlineflightinfo/destinations.htm Raleigh-Durham International Airport<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and is a [[focus city]] for [[American Airlines]] and [[American Eagle Airlines]]. The airport currently serves more than 10 million passengers a year.<ref>[http://rdu.com/news/2008/release_011708.htm Raleigh-Durham International Airport<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Wake County is served by [[Amtrak]] with facilities in Raleigh and Cary.
*Local Bus: The [[Triangle Transit Authority]] operates buses that serve the region and connect to municipal bus systems in [[Capital Area Transit (Raleigh)|Raleigh]], [[Durham Area Transit Authority|Durham]], and [[Chapel Hill Transit|Chapel Hill]].
*Regional Rail - Plans are being made for a [[light rail]] system that would be built over the next 10 to 20 years.<ref>[http://wral.com/traffic/story/2291218/ Panel: Sales Tax Could Pay for Regional Transit :: WRAL.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Roads===
*[[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]] is the only Interstate that runs through the county. It offers direct access to RDU, Morrisville, Cary, Raleigh, and Garner.
*[[Interstate 440 (North Carolina)|I-440]] is a beltway that encircles most of downtown Raleigh. The southern portion of the beltway is I-40.
*[[Interstate 540 (North Carolina)|I-540]] is a {{convert|66|mi|km|sing=on}} partially completed loop that will connect the [[satellite town]]s of Wake Forest, Knightdale, Garner, Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Rolesville, and Fuquay-Varina. The completed portions are called the Northern Wake Expressway in northern Wake County and the Western Wake Parkway in western Wake County.
*Major highways that run through the Wake County include [[U.S. Route 1|US 1]], [[U.S. Route 64|US 64]], [[U.S. Route 264|US 264]], [[U.S. Route 70|US 70]], and [[U.S. Route 401|US 401]]. Other highways include [[North Carolina Highway 55|NC 55]], [[North Carolina Highway 42|NC 42]], [[North Carolina Highway 50|NC 50]], [[North Carolina Highway 751|751]], [[North Carolina Highway 39|NC 39]], [[North Carolina Highway 98|NC 98]], and [[North Carolina Highway 231|NC 231]].
===Bicycles===
The ''mountains-to-the-sea'' [[North Carolina Bicycle Route 2]] travels through Wake County, as does the [[Maine]]-to-[[Florida]] [[U.S. Bicycle Route 1]]. [[North Carolina Bicycle Route 5]], ''the Cape Fear run,'' connects Apex to the coastal city of [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]], North Carolina.
[[Image:Falls lake.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Falls Lake]]]]
==Parks and recreation==
===State parks===
Wake County is home to three state parks: [[Falls Lake State Recreation Area]], [[William B. Umstead State Park]], and the [[Jordan Lake State Recreation Area]]. Falls Lake Park is located in northern Wake County and contains the {{convert|12000|acre|km2|sing=on}} [[Falls Lake]] and {{convert|26000|acre|km2}} of woodlands.<ref>[http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/fala/main.php N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: - Welcome to Falls Lake State Recreation Area<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Umstead Park is situated between Raleigh and Cary near RDU. Located right off I-40, it is divided into two sections, [[Crabtree Creek]] and Reedy Creek and contains {{convert|5579|acre|km2}} of woodlands.<ref>[http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wium/main.php N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: - Welcome to William B. Umstead State Park<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Jordan Lake Park, which is partially located in Wake County near Apex, contains {{convert|13940|acre|km2|sing=on}} Jordan Lake and {{convert|46768|acre|km2}} of woodlands. This park is known for being home to [[bald eagles]]. <ref>[http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/jord/ecology.php N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area - Ecology<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===County parks and recreation centers===
There are 152 city parks, public swimming and public tennis facilities in Wake County. In addition, there are 53 [[Community centre|community centers]]. <ref>[http://www.wakegov.com/parks/general/links.htm WakeGOV.com - Links<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Notable parks include [[Pullen Park]] and [[Yates Mill|Yates Mill Park]]. The [[American Tobacco Trail]] is a {{convert|22|mi|km|sing=on}} [[rail trail]] project that is located in the [[Research Triangle Park]] region. Fifteeen miles of the trail is located in Wake County and is open to pedestrians, cyclists, [[Equestrianism|equestrians]] (in non-urban sections), and other non-motorized users.
==Hospitals==
Wake County is served by three hospitals, [[Rex Hospital]], [[WakeMed]], and [[Duke University Health System|Duke Raleigh Hospital]]. In addition to WakeMed's primary facility, the hospital also operates seven satellite locations throughout the county. These locations include North Raleigh, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Zebulon, Wake Forest, Apex, Wake Forest Road, and Brier Creek.<ref>[http://www.wakemed.org/body.cfm?id=51&oTopID=51 Locations/Maps<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.wakegov.com Wake County government official website]
*[http://msweb01.co.wake.nc.us/realestate/ Wake County Real Estate Records]
*[http://www.wcpss.net/ Wake County Public School System]
*[http://wakehistory.com/ Wake County Historical Society]
*[http://www.wakegov.com/about/accolades.htm National awards and recognitions]
*[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37183.html North Carolina QuickFacts from US census]
*[http://www.rtp.org/main/index.php RTP website]
{{Wake County, North Carolina}}
{{North_Carolina}}
{{Triangle, NC}}
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[[Category:North Carolina counties]]
[[Category:Wake County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1771 establishments]]
[[ar:مقاطعة ويك، كارولاينا الشمالية]]
[[de:Wake County]]
[[fr:Comté de Wake]]
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[[it:Contea di Wake]]
[[nl:Wake County]]
[[no:Wake County]]
[[nds:Wake County]]
[[pt:Condado de Wake]]
[[sv:Wake County]]
[[zh:韦克县 (北卡罗来纳州)]]