Living in Wake Forest NC
A college town turned fast-growing Raleigh suburb, with a historic downtown on South White Street.
Wake Forest sits in northern Wake County, with a small part in Franklin County, about 25 to 30 minutes north of downtown Raleigh. It has a historic downtown, older neighborhoods near the old college campus and large newer communities around town.
Get the Buyer GuideWhat’s My Home Worth?Wake Forest Housing Market
Homes sold with a Wake Forest address over the last 12 months, compared with the 12 months before.
Source: Doorify MLS, residential sales, Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026 compared with Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2025. Active listings as of Nov 4, 2026. Town numbers use the city on the listing address, so they include some homes just outside town limits. Wake Forest reaches into Franklin County; these numbers cover all homes with a Wake Forest address. Months of supply = homes for sale divided by average monthly sales. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Want homes for sale in Wake Forest, or numbers for your street or price range? Ask me and I’ll send you what’s on the market and what homes have sold for. Or start an Eastern NC home search and tell me what you’re looking for.
What Wake Forest Is Like
Wake Forest traces its start to 1832, when the NC Baptist Convention bought a plantation here to open the school that became Wake Forest College. The town was incorporated in 1880, and the college moved to Winston-Salem in 1956. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary now uses the original campus.
Downtown hosts Friday Night on White on the second Friday of the month from April through September, plus Forest Fest, Meet in the Street and a July 4 fireworks show. The Wake Forest Historical Museum is in the Dr. Calvin Jones House, built around 1820.
Town website: www.wakeforestnc.gov
Local Favorites
- White Street Brewing Co.: Downtown brewery and taproom on South White Street
- Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs: Hot dog counter on South White Street, open since 1916
- Black & White Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster on Brooks Street
Homes in Wake Forest
The Wake Forest Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2003, has homes and college buildings from about 1890 to 1953. The Glen Royall Mill Village Historic District, listed in 1999, has Craftsman bungalows and mill cottages. Around town you’ll find large planned communities like Heritage, with its golf course, and many newer subdivisions.
Getting Around Wake Forest
US 1 (Capital Boulevard) runs along the west side of town, with NC 96 and NC 98 through the area. I-540 is at the southern edge of town.
Approximate drive times:
- Raleigh: about 25 to 30 minutes
- RDU Airport: about 30 to 35 minutes
- Rocky Mount: about 55 minutes
- Wilson: about 55 minutes
Getting Outside
Wake Forest has more than a dozen parks, including E. Carroll Joyner Park with 3 miles of paved trails, J.B. Flaherty Park and Holding Park with its aquatic center. The Smith Creek Greenway runs almost 5 miles, and Falls Lake State Recreation Area is nearby.
Nearby Towns
Wake Forest Questions
What county is Wake Forest, NC in?
Wake Forest is mostly in Wake County, North Carolina, with a small part in Franklin County. Main ZIP code: 27587.
How far is Wake Forest, NC from Raleigh?
About 25 to 30 minutes by car to downtown Raleigh, depending on traffic and where you’re headed.
What kinds of homes are in Wake Forest, NC?
The Wake Forest Historic District, listed on the National Register in 2003, has homes and college buildings from about 1890 to 1953. The Glen Royall Mill Village Historic District, listed in 1999, has Craftsman bungalows and mill cottages. Around town you’ll find large planned communities like Heritage, with its golf course, and many newer subdivisions.
What is there to do in Wake Forest, NC?
Come to Friday Night on White downtown, walk Joyner Park or the Smith Creek Greenway, visit the Wake Forest Historical Museum, or head to Falls Lake.
How do I find out about schools in Wake Forest, NC?
School assignments can change, so verify school assignment for any address with the school district.
Let’s Talk About Wake Forest
Call or text me and I’ll tell you what homes are going for and what’s on the market right now.
Call or Text (252) 406-4479What’s My Home Worth?