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Raleigh, NC

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Raleigh, NC

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 65
Population470,763
Foreign Born7.9%
Population Density3,092people per mi²
Median Age34.7 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

129/100

29% above national average

B+

The Real Cost of Living in Raleigh, North Carolina

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $23k$44k
Comfortable $73k$108k
Luxury $149k+$231k+
Elite (Top 5%) $193k+$300k+
Affordability Ratio

76%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A+
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean93%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
23
Poor
3
Negative
4

Groceries

8 within 10 miles

0.4mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.6mi

Hospital

19 within 20 miles

1.2mi

Airport

RDU — Raleigh–Durham International

8.9mi

Post Office

USPS — Raleigh, NC

1.9mi

Critical Amenities

Golf4Nearest 5.4 mi
Camping5Nearest 6 mi
Marina0Nearest 11.5 mi
Winery0Nearest 12.4 mi
Ice Rink1Nearest 10 mi
Gun Range0Nearest 11 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C+
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$82k+4.8%
10% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$564k
14% below US avg
College Educated
52.9%
51% above US avg
Homeownership
51.2%
22% below US avg
Median Home
$378k
34% above US avg
Avg HH Debt
$20k
9% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
19.6
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−23.6%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−27.6%
Homicide*
0.06 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery*
0.38 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Aggravated Assault*
2.32 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr−19.5%
Burglary*
2.73 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft*
11.86 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
1.90 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+17Solidly Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Raleigh, North Carolina
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.9% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (15% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
C+
LimitedHerd shares only
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season235 days326 frost-free
Annual Rainfall54.6"
Elevation295 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor3.6 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor3,092/sq mi
Fallout Danger
D+
Weak2 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Tornado, Heat Wave, Hail, Hurricane
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 493 mi · coast 117 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$299.1M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityRaleigh468k people are 3.6 mi away
Nearest Major AirportRDU8.9 mi away
Distance to State Capital3.6 miRaleigh, NC
Nearest Prison3.9 mi2 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T16:48:35.000Z

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