1. Welcome to WAKE COUNTY By: Daniel J. Koenig West Lee Middle School

2. Wake’s county seat is Raleigh!

3. Population As of 2008 the estimated population was 374,000 with an annual growth rate of 4.17 percent. Since the population is one of the highest in North Carolina and the county’s population is growing, Wake County would be a perfect place for a business to relocate to, because the business will have many people to sell their products to. Races in Wake County: White Non-Hispanic (69.9%) Black (19.7%) Hispanic (5.4%) Other race (2.5%) Two or more races (1.6%) Asian Indian (1.2%) Chinese (0.8%) American Indian (0.7%)

4. Major Industries  Health care  Business education software  Energy Raleigh, which is located in Wake County, is one of the top 50 best cities for expanding and relocating businesses in America. Wake County is also a fast growing metro area, along with being the 4 th best job market for young adults and the best place for jobs in North Carolina. All of these things are definite pluses for businesses since there are many smart, young, and able people waiting to be employed in any company that is relocating or expanding.

5. Major Employers NC State University Wake Med Hospital GlaxoSmithKline Rex Healthcare SAS Institute Incorporated Progress Energy Incorporated  The Wake County Government SAS Institute incorporated is a business education software company that would be perfect for teaching relocating or expanding businesses about new technological things, hence making the company better.

6. Education Wake County has some of the best education in all of North Carolina. Wake County has a gold rating in schools and also has the second largest public district in North Carolina. Wake County is also the number one district in North Carolina for certified teachers. Wake County has approximately 15 percent more four year graduates then America’s average. Also Wake County has approximately 10 percent more high school graduates than America’s average. Wake County has 99 elementary schools, 30 middle schools, and 23 high schools. Wake County also has many colleges including: North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Meredith College, St. Augustine's College, St. Mary's College, and Peace College. The vast amount of schools give children who could grow up and work for an expanding or relocating company many options for their future, so all the children can go to a school that best fits their learning needs. The schools also provide ample options for the children who have parents working for companies.

7. Home and Home Safety Information WAKE COUNTY Median Home Age: 17 Median Home Cost $356000 Homes Owned: 61.43% Housing Vacant: 6.49% Homes Rented: 31.43% Property Tax Rate: $8.22 AMERICA Median Home Age: 21 Median Home Cost $217200 Homes Owned: 64.07% Housing Vacant: 14.48% Homes Rented: 21.45% Property Tax Rate: 13.28% According to the chart the major city in Wake County (Raleigh) has a very low crime rate compared to many other major cities. Having a low crime rate is a great reason for companies to expand to Wake County since the threat of any of their workers being robbed or injured is very low.

8. Healthcare  Wake County is proud to have achieved the highest immunization rate of metropolitan counties in North Carolina.  Clinics include: Northern Regional Center, Western Wake Human Services Center, Northern Health Clinic, Eastern Regional Center, Southern Regional Center  Hospitals include: Wake Med Medical Center and Raleigh Community Hospital

9. Religion There are many different churches and religious groups in Wake County, which is great since almost every person that comes to Wake County will be able to find a religious group that is right for them. The percentages represent (43.82 percent) the percentage of people who are religious in Wake County.

10. References http://pix.epodunk.com/locatorMaps/nc/NC_19725.gif http://www.nctreasurer.com/lgc/units/wake.gif http://allraleighhomes.com/why-choose-raleigh.asp http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Planning/Demographics/Population_Estimate_J anuary_2008.pdfhttp://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Planning/Demographics/Population_Estimate_J anuary_2008.pdf http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/us/A0841031.html http://www.localschooldirectory.com/city-schools/Raleigh/NC http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/U_S__States/North_Carolina/Counties_and_Regions/ Wake_County/Health/Care_Providers/Hospitals_and_Medical_Centers/http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/U_S__States/North_Carolina/Counties_and_Regions/ Wake_County/Health/Care_Providers/Hospitals_and_Medical_Centers/ http://www.raleigh-wake.org/page/major-employers http://www.wcpss.net/school-directory/ http://www.bestplaces.net/County/Wake_NC-RELIGION-43718300100.aspx http://www.raleigh4u.com/content/page/id/182 http://www.bestplaces.net/county/Wake-North_Carolina.aspx# http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=wakemed+hospital&FORM=BIRE#focal =b5070fa0e7e5651f6acc871e5a265b6c&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwcache.wral.com %2Fasset%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F2007%2F02%2F28%2F1218384%2F1172711341_ wakemed-220x165.jpghttp://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=wakemed+hospital&FORM=BIRE#focal =b5070fa0e7e5651f6acc871e5a265b6c&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwcache.wral.com %2Fasset%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F2007%2F02%2F28%2F1218384%2F1172711341_ wakemed-220x165.jpg