Metro area profile · North Carolina
Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area market data
How the Raleigh-Cary metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 1,595,720
- +12.6% since 2020
- Households
- 574,295
- Median household income
- $100,103
- +32.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $418,400
- Jobs located here
- 759,538
- Highest market score
- 84
- Convenience stores, #8 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Raleigh-Cary metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Raleigh-Cary metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Raleigh-Cary metro area has an estimated 1,595,720 people and 574,295 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Raleigh-Cary metro area from 2020 to 2025 at +12.6%, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Raleigh-Cary metro area is $100,103, 24% above the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 32.0%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Raleigh-Cary metro area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 129, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on medical and dental services (101).
Of the business types scored in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, convenience stores (84), gas stations (83) and laundromats (82) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For convenience stores, that ranks #8 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Raleigh-Cary metro area takes in 3 counties: Wake County, Johnston County and Franklin County. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for roofing and gutter companies (47% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for laundromats (50% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Raleigh-Cary metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Raleigh-Cary metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience stores | 84 | #8 of 387 | 376 | 6.5 | $10.2M | 129 | 86 |
| Gas stations | 83 | #10 of 387 | 527 | 9.2 | $3.3M | 136 | 424 |
| Laundromats | 82 | #12 of 364 | 47 | 0.8 | $27.3M | 218 | 38 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 80 | #20 of 387 | 907 | 15.8 | $4.2M | 125 | 365 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 78 | #34 of 387 | 720 | 12.5 | $3.6M | 118 | 1,163 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 77 | #29 of 387 | 5,851 | 101.9 | $442K | 119 | 2,684 |
| Insurance agencies | 75 | #60 of 387 | 858 | 14.9 | $1.7M | 135 | 563 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 73 | #34 of 387 | 3,218 | 56.0 | $804K | 121 | 1,167 |
| Pizza | 73 | #46 of 387 | 459 | 8.0 | $5.6M | 111 | 1,163 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 73 | #48 of 387 | 885 | 15.4 | $1.4M | 114 | 421 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 72 | #47 of 381 | 136 | 2.4 | $4.1M | 133 | 138 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 72 | #49 of 387 | 1,228 | 21.4 | $1M | 119 | 529 |
| Auto repair shops | 72 | #49 of 387 | 1,061 | 18.5 | $525K | 118 | 558 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 71 | #39 of 387 | 596 | 10.4 | $4.3M | 117 | 341 |
| Auto repair and car care | 70 | #54 of 387 | 1,809 | 31.5 | $308K | 115 | 808 |
| Pet stores | 70 | #55 of 382 | 125 | 2.2 | $5M | 111 | 50 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 69 | #49 of 387 | 546 | 9.5 | $4.7M | 114 | 399 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 68 | #91 of 385 | 371 | 6.5 | $2.7M | 91 | 603 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 67 | #65 of 386 | 227 | 4.0 | $2.8M | 108 | 150 |
| Pet businesses | 67 | #70 of 387 | 685 | 11.9 | $913K | 104 | 394 |
| Car washes and detailing | 67 | #70 of 387 | 206 | 3.6 | $2.7M | 107 | 90 |
| Funeral homes | 66 | #90 of 377 | 75 | 1.3 | $872K | 129 | 44 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 65 | #70 of 387 | 415 | 7.2 | $4.7M | 98 | 566 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 64 | #69 of 290 | 33 | 0.6 | $16.9M | 123 | 55 |
| Electricians | 64 | #76 of 383 | 172 | 3.0 | $11.3M | 94 | 425 |
| Pest control | 64 | #80 of 345 | 107 | 1.9 | $9.3M | 91 | 91 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 63 | #110 of 387 | 656 | 11.4 | $1.5M | 90 | 1,141 |
| Nail salons | 61 | #94 of 387 | 406 | 7.1 | $1.5M | 89 | 92 |
| Veterinarians | 61 | #109 of 384 | 245 | 4.3 | $2.6M | 94 | 194 |
| Home repair trades | 61 | #110 of 387 | 889 | 15.5 | $2.2M | 90 | 1,155 |
| Tire shops | 61 | #131 of 386 | 220 | 3.8 | $2.5M | 101 | 90 |
| Grocery stores | 60 | #128 of 387 | 384 | 6.7 | $10M | 107 | 279 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 59 | #131 of 387 | 456 | 7.9 | $1.6M | 92 | 780 |
| Child care and preschools | 58 | #142 of 387 | 395 | 6.9 | $907K | 91 | 392 |
| Barbershops | 57 | #135 of 387 | 323 | 5.6 | $1.9M | 99 | 49 |
| Home inspectors | 56 | #86 of 243 | 43 | 0.7 | Index only | 88 | 58 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 56 | #144 of 387 | 5,168 | 90.0 | $144K | 94 | 2,000 |
| House cleaning | 55 | #134 of 375 | 178 | 3.1 | $5.6M | 87 | 447 |
| Chiropractors | 55 | #161 of 386 | 335 | 5.8 | $2.2M | 93 | 186 |
| Dry cleaners | 54 | #129 of 272 | 86 | 1.5 | $14.9M | 95 | 70 |
| Gyms | 54 | #150 of 387 | 479 | 8.3 | $1.2M | 92 | 280 |
| Roofing and gutters | 54 | #162 of 381 | 302 | 5.3 | $6.4M | 76 | 164 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 53 | #170 of 386 | 244 | 4.2 | $3.1M | 97 | 116 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 52 | #94 of 197 | 40 | 0.7 | $18.6M | 76 | 57 |
| Physical therapy | 50 | #194 of 386 | 367 | 6.4 | $2M | 84 | 252 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 49 | #211 of 387 | 3,292 | 57.3 | $184K | 86 | 810 |
| Hair salons | 48 | #208 of 387 | 1,679 | 29.2 | $360K | 84 | 456 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 48 | #209 of 387 | 1,010 | 17.6 | $568K | 86 | 541 |
| Property management | 47 | #218 of 374 | 223 | 3.9 | Index only | 80 | 417 |
| Spas and skin care | 46 | #230 of 387 | 797 | 13.9 | $758K | 87 | 196 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 45 | #249 of 387 | 355 | 6.2 | $1.6M | 80 | 261 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 43 | #253 of 387 | 851 | 14.8 | $875K | 89 | 609 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 42 | #245 of 347 | 176 | 3.1 | $3.3M | 80 | 280 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 42 | #250 of 373 | 346 | 6.0 | Index only | 73 | 159 |
| Real estate | 40 | #283 of 387 | 3,059 | 53.3 | Index only | 75 | 2,018 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 40 | #288 of 387 | 2,447 | 42.6 | Index only | 74 | 1,227 |
Household spending in the Raleigh-Cary metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $557.1M | $970 | 101 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $1.7B | $2,985 | 115 |
| Food away from home | $2.6B | $4,504 | 111 |
| Groceries | $3.8B | $6,666 | 105 |
| Personal care products and services | $604.4M | $1,052 | 105 |
| Child care and other personal services | $358.4M | $624 | 107 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $573.3M | $998 | 102 |
| Medical and dental services | $744.4M | $1,296 | 101 |
| Pets | $625.7M | $1,089 | 120 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $1.3B | $2,231 | 109 |
| Vehicle insurance | $1.5B | $2,531 | 129 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $1.9B | $3,382 | 112 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $990.8M | $1,725 | 122 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $9.9B | $17,215 | 103 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Raleigh-Cary metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 1,595,720+12.6% since 2020
- Households
- 574,295
- Median age
- 38.4
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 67%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 2,119 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 702
- Median household income
- $100,103+32.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $131,869
- Median home value
- $418,400
- Jobs located here
- 759,538
- Daytime population
- 1,525,914Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Raleigh-Cary metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Raleigh-Cary metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Raleigh-Cary metro area 3
- Wake County, NC1,178,653 people
- Johnston County, NC234,263 people
- Franklin County, NC74,386 people
Other markets based in North Carolina 12
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area2,768,407 people
- Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area786,419 people
- Winston-Salem, NC metro area689,766 people
- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area601,724 people
- Wilmington, NC metro area453,347 people
- Asheville, NC metro area414,711 people
- Fayetteville, NC metro area392,380 people
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area368,316 people
- Jacksonville, NC metro area207,906 people
- Greenville, NC metro area177,193 people
- Burlington, NC metro area176,893 people
- Rocky Mount, NC metro area144,952 people
Questions
How fast is the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Raleigh-Cary metro area at 1,595,720 people in 2025, up 12.6% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 574,295 households. Median household income rose 32.0% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area spend?
Households in the Raleigh-Cary metro area spend about $9.9B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $3.8B on groceries and $2.6B on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Raleigh-Cary metro area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 129, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on medical and dental services (101).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Raleigh-Cary metro area are for convenience stores (84), gas stations (83) and laundromats (82). The Raleigh-Cary metro area ranks #8 of 387 scored metro areas for convenience stores.
How does the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Raleigh-Cary metro area is $100,103 a year, 24% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 12.6% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $418,400, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Raleigh-Cary metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for roofing and gutter companies (47% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for laundromats (50% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in the Raleigh-Cary metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Raleigh-Cary metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in North Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Raleigh-Cary metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Raleigh-Cary metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.