Wake Forest Population 2026
Wake Forest has a population of 38,199, making it the #1171 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in North Carolina. It is about 230× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
38,199
Rank in United States
#1171
Coordinates
35.98°N, 78.51°W
~119 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
349 km
217 miles, straight line
Other big cities in North Carolina
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 911,311 | #15 |
| Raleigh | 482,295 | #39 |
| Greensboro | 285,342 | #71 |
| Durham | 257,636 | #83 |
| Winston-Salem | 241,218 | #90 |
| Fayetteville | 201,963 | #119 |
| Cary | 159,769 | #166 |
| Wilmington | 115,933 | #255 |
Cities near Wake Forest
FAQ
What is the population of Wake Forest?
Wake Forest has a population of 38,199 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1171 biggest city in United States.
What state is Wake Forest in?
Wake Forest is located in North Carolina, United States.
Is Wake Forest the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 349 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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