The "capital city" is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle, one of the country's largest and most successful research parks and a major center in the U.S. for high-tech and biotech research. The surrounding area is home to a number of colleges and universities including Duke University, North Carolina State, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University. These schools have a notable economic impact on the area. The North Carolina Museum of Art, occupying a large suburban campus on Blue Ridge Road near the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, maintains one of the premier public art collections located between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks for its many oak trees.

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Raleigh and the surrounding cities are known for their research/technology roots and collegiate rivalries. This tri-city region (known as the Triangle) is luring new residents every day with strong job growth and a high quality of life. 

Many people who call the Raleigh and Durham metro areas home are young, friendly, diverse and educated. They enjoy dining out in local restaurants – many of which have earned national accolades – and gathering over craft beers in one of the region's many microbreweries. A strong sense of community is evident, as strangers are quick to provide a friendly conversation when standing in line at the supermarket.

Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill also encompass beautiful green spaces, family-friendly museums and a growing art and music scene defined by monthly gallery walks, summer concerts and music festivals like Hopscotch.

 

At a Glance

• Population: 1,362,500

• Major Industries: Technology, Health care, Education

• Gross Metro Product: $81.7 B

• Median Household Income: $74,177

• Median Home Price: $283,000

• Unemployment: 3.6%

• Job Growth (2018): 2.6%

• Cost of Living: 1% above nat'l avg

• College Attainment: 46.2%

• Net Migration (2018): 5,200

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