2007-08 Adopted Plan - Wake County Public School System

Wake County DemographicsWake County is consistently ranked as one of the best places in theUnited States in which to live, work and raise a family. Home to theinternationally-acclaimed Research Triangle Park, the area provides aworld-class combination of economic vitality, educational opportunity,environmental quality and community quality-of-life. This area is amongthe fastest growing counties in the nation. A well-rounded combination ofbusiness and industry, higher education, historic preservation, arts andculture, and trees, greenways and lakes offers Wake County residents aquality lifestyle with excellent job and educational opportunites.Wake County’s twelve municipalities include Apex, Cary, Fuguay-Varina,Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Raleigh, Rolesville, WakeForest, Wendell, and Zebulon. Raleigh is the state capital and countyseat. The county is governed by the seven-member Wake County Boardof Commissioners, who are elected for four-year terms.Raleigh’s proximity to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Coastoffer an abundance of recreation options. In less than 3.5 hours, skiersand snowboarders can enjoy a day on the slopes, or bask in the warmsun along the coast. Raleigh’s temperate climate also offers golfersyear-round opportunities to improve their swing.Hiking, biking, and fi shing are popular activities in the metro areasas well. Raleigh has been called the “park with a city in it” thanks toits award-winning parks, greenways system, and open space spreadthroughout the city and Wake County.Raleigh and the Triangle area also actively support the arts and arehome to a full-range of cultural attractions including some of the mostrenowned museums in the Southeast. The BTI Center for the PerformingArts is one of the best in the country and has a venue for national touringcompanies, in addition to locally produced plays and attractions. Theconcert hall is home to the North Carolina Symphony and features worldcassperformers in both classical and popular productions. Raleigh andits surrounding communities host many smaller community centers,which offer endless cultural opportunities as well. During the summer,the Triangle takes advantage of North Carolina’s moderate weather andhosts performances in outdoor theater, parks, and gardens.PopulationWake County, according to the US Census, is the second largest countyin the State of North Carolina. It boasts total population of 755,034 (2005NC State Demographers Wake County population), with a forecastedpopulation of 817,429 in 2007. The increase from 1990, when the totaladjusted population was 423,380, is 78 percent. The median age of WakeCounty residents is 34.3, according to the 2004 American CommunitySurvey. Data retrieved from the US Census Bureau, 2000 Census,provides the following profi le of general demographic characteristics ofWake County.Population projections suggest that this trend is likely to continue. WakeCounty is expected to pass one million residents in 2013, and by 2030Wake County is expected to have nearly doubled its current population,reaching 1,384,019.Subject No. % Subject No. %Total Population2000627,846 100 Race and EthnicitySexMaleFemale311,436316,41049.650.4WhiteBlack or AfricanAmerican454,54472.4123,820 19.7Age American Indian 2,152 0.3Under 5 year 45,142 7.2 Asian 21,249 3.45-9 years 46,090 7.3 *Hispanic/Latino 33,985 5.410-14 years 43,320 6.915-19 years 41,020 6.520-24 years 48,939 7.825-34 years 113,409 18.135-44 years 115,663 18.445-54 years 84,206 13.455-59 years 25,886 4.160-64 years 17,799 2.865-74 years 25.978 4.175-84 years 15,421 2.585 years+ 4.973 0.8*According to the US Census Bureau, “Hispanic” is not a race, but an ethnicity or origin.The Wake County demographics information in this section was obtained from the Offi cial Site of Wake County Government and from the US Census Bureau.381 FY 2007-08 Plan for Student Success