Raleigh
Driven by a strong economy and an outstanding quality of life, Raleigh is consistently ranked among the nation’s best places to live and operate a business. Understanding that the city’s impressive growth should not be taken for granted—nor continue unchecked—local leaders are working with the community to develop strategies that encourage smart and sustainable growth.
Raleigh is the Best Place to Start a Career
If you are fresh out of college and looking to start your career, Raleigh has a wide range of career choices.
Ranked #7 City for STEM Professionals
Given their growing demand, STEM careers today provide some of the most lucrative employment opportunities. They pay higher salaries and boast far fewer threats of unemployment compared with other types of jobs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, STEM jobs have been more resilient against job losses and more compatible with remote work compared to many other job types.
Raleigh Rated 2nd Best Place to Live in Country 2021
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.
Fast Facts
Population Growth: 464,758 (2017), 14% growth from 2010-2017.
Educational Attainment: 50% received their bachelor’s degree or higher.
Median Household Income: $56,488
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Proximity to Key Locations
Duke University: 10 Miles
UNC Chapel Hill: 12 Miles
North Carolina Beaches: 2 Hours
North Carolina Mountains: 3 Hours
Key Industries
Cleantech
Consumer Goods
Life Sciences
Technology
Entrepreneurship
Small Business
Retail
Major Employers
ABB
Allscripts
Citrix
Merz. Inc.
NC State University
Red Hat
Rex Healthcare
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Colleges & Universities
NC State University
Meredith College
Saint Augustine's University
Shaw University
Wake Tech Community College
William Peace University
