Wake Forest ZIP Code List — Wake County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Area code: 919.

ZIP codes

105.11

sq mi land

4.94

sq mi water

919

area code

Wake Forest, NC ZIP code map

About Wake Forest, NC

Wake Forest, North Carolina, is a charming town located in the heart of Wake County. Known for its vibrant community and family-friendly atmosphere, it provides a perfect blend of suburban living and rich history. The town is also recognized for its beautiful parks and lively local events, attracting both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Situated approximately 12 miles northeast of Raleigh, Wake Forest lies conveniently close to major urban areas while maintaining its small-town charm. It covers a land area of 105.11 square miles, with an additional 4.94 square miles designated as water. The town is bordered by several neighboring cities, including Rolesville, which is just a few miles to the northeast, and Youngsville, located about 6 miles to the northwest.

Community & economy

The character of Wake Forest is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and a strong sense of community pride. The local economy thrives on diverse industries including retail, healthcare, and education, contributing to a stable job market for its residents. Daily life in Wake Forest is enriched by a mix of cultural events, outdoor activities, and a variety of dining options, making it an appealing place for families and individuals.

Transportation

Wake Forest is efficiently connected by major highways such as U.S. Route 1 and North Carolina Highway 98, facilitating easy access to larger cities. The nearest airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located approximately 25 miles southwest, providing comprehensive travel options for both residents and visitors.

History

Wake Forest was originally founded in 1832 and earned its name from its proximity to the Forest of Wake, a historic location in the area. The town has a rich educational heritage, having been home to Wake Forest College before its relocation to Winston-Salem. Key events in its history include its development into a significant suburban community in the late 20th century, spurred by its proximity to Raleigh.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wake Forest is that it once housed Wake Forest College, which is now situated in Winston-Salem, reflecting the town's historical significance in North Carolina education. Additionally, the town is known for its commitment to maintaining green spaces, with numerous parks and outdoor recreational areas throughout its landscape.

ZIP codes for Wake Forest, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27587	Wake Forest	Wake	View map
27588	Wake Forest	Wake	View map

Demographics & statistics

78,666

Population

40.7

Median age

$116,593

Median household income

$51,978

Per capita income

$412,100

Median home value

$1,348

Median monthly rent

80.1%

Home ownership

4.5%

Poverty rate

4.1%

Unemployment

23,704

Housing units

55.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,378

Under 5

2,527

2,403

5–9

2,553

3,243

10–14

3,446

2,778

15–19

2,952

1,645

20–24

1,749

3,972

25–34

4,221

5,501

35–44

5,845

6,400

45–54

6,802

2,813

55–59

2,990

2,290

60–64

2,434

2,931

65–74

3,115

1,433

75–84

1,522

351

85+

372

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	20,709	26.3%
18 and over	57,957	73.7%
65 and over	9,724	12.4%
Median age	40.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 69.2%

Black or African American 14.1%

Two or more races 6.1%

Hispanic or Latino 5.4%

Other race 2.8%

Asian 2.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	57,545	69.2%
Black or African American	11,696	14.1%
Two or more races	5,051	6.1%
Hispanic or Latino	4,510	5.4%
Other race	2,315	2.8%
Asian	1,888	2.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	120	0.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	51	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.1%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 4.1%

$25k–$35k 3.6%

$35k–$50k 6.7%

$50k–$75k 12.7%

$75k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 20.4%

$150k–$200k 14.4%

$200k+ 23.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.1%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	4.1%
$25k–$35k	3.6%
$35k–$50k	6.7%
$50k–$75k	12.7%
$75k–$100k	10.5%
$100k–$150k	20.4%
$150k–$200k	14.4%
$200k+	23.9%
Median income	$116,593

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.9%

$50k–$100k 1.5%

$100k–$150k 1.7%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k–$300k 14.9%

$300k–$500k 44.6%

$500k–$1M 28.0%

$1M+ 2.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$412,100
Median rent / month	$1,348
Owner occupied	80.1%
Renter occupied	19.9%
Vacant	4.6%
Single-family detached	75.9%
Large apartment buildings	4.0%
Mobile homes	4.5%
Median rooms	7.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.87

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.6%
2010–2019	30.0%
2000–2009	30.9%
1990–1999	18.4%
1980–1989	8.9%
1970–1979	3.7%
1960–1969	2.4%
1950–1959	0.7%
1940–1949	0.7%
1939 or earlier	2.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	4.1%
2 bedrooms	14.6%
3 bedrooms	34.1%
4 bedrooms	33.9%
5+ bedrooms	12.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.3%
1 vehicle	19.8%
2 vehicles	47.9%
3 or more	30.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	47.4%
Electricity	44.7%
Propane / LP gas	6.4%
Fuel oil	0.4%
Wood	0.5%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	18,311	65.6%
Cohabiting couple	1,587	5.7%
Male householder, no spouse	2,420	8.7%
Female householder, no spouse	5,599	20.1%
Households with children under 18	10,683	38.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	6,699	24.0%
Average household size	2.79

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.7%	22.3%
Married	63.5%	59.4%
Separated	1.6%	1.7%
Widowed	1.0%	6.2%
Divorced	6.3%	10.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 2.3%

HS graduate 14.8%

Some college, no degree 15.8%

Associate's degree 10.0%

Bachelor's degree 34.1%

Graduate / professional 21.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.4%
Bachelor's or higher	55.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1,710	7.7%
Kindergarten	1,311	5.9%
Elementary school	8,905	39.9%
High school	5,674	25.4%
College / grad school	4,724	21.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.0%

Professional & management 19.7%

Retail trade 11.9%

Manufacturing 8.7%

Finance & real estate 7.3%

Construction 4.9%

Other services 4.9%

Public administration 4.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.7%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Wholesale trade 1.9%

Information 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	59.1%
Service	10.4%
Sales & office	18.6%
Natural resources & construction	4.9%
Production & transportation	7.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.9%
Government	14.0%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.3%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	30.9

Poverty

All people 4.5%

Under 18 years 4.8%

18 and over 4.3%

Married-couple families 2.0%

Female-led households 8.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	23.7%
Retirement income	24.3%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	28.2%
High cholesterol	30.7%
Heart disease	4.3%
Stroke	2.1%
Asthma	8.3%
Arthritis	19.0%
Kidney disease	2.2%
Pulmonary disease	4.3%
Cancer	5.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.9%
No physical activity	14.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.0%
Fair or poor health	8.8%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	7.6%
No health insurance	13.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	75.5%
Cholesterol screening	91.6%
Teeth loss	8.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,089	7.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.3%
Under 18	3.7%
18–64 years	7.0%
65 and over	24.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	83.2%
Public insurance	20.6%
Uninsured under 19	3.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	73,761	93.8%
Spanish	1,666	2.3%
Other Indo-European	995	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	185	0.3%
Other languages	362	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	73,397	93.3%
Born in same state	72,432	92.1%
Born in different state	31,239	39.7%
Foreign born	965	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	5,269	6.7%
Not a US citizen	3,406	64.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	14,149	18%
Italian	8,869	11.3%
Arab	4,064	5.2%
Polish	829	1.1%
English	825	1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	565	0.7%
German	299	0.4%
Norwegian	220	0.3%
Dutch	126	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.5%
Internet access	97.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Wake Forest, NC?

Wake Forest, NC has one ZIP code: 27587.

What is the main ZIP code for Wake Forest, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Wake Forest, NC is 27587. The city uses area code 919 for phone service.

What county is Wake Forest, NC in?

Wake Forest is located in Wake County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Wake Forest, NC?

Wake Forest, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Wake Forest and the historic White Deer Park area?

Downtown Wake Forest and White Deer Park are located in ZIP code 27587, which serves as the primary postal code for the town's central business district and recreational areas.

What is the ZIP code for Wake Forest University's main campus?

Wake Forest University's main campus in Wake Forest is served by ZIP code 27587, which encompasses the university's historic grounds and the surrounding academic areas.