The housing market in Wake County just became a lot more transparent. Whether you’re a prospective homebuyer comparing neighborhoods, a real estate professional tracking market trends, or a community leader making data-driven decisions, Wake County’s brand-new interactive housing dashboard will become your most valuable tool.
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Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips
Launched this week in partnership with HR&A Advisors Inc., this comprehensive “one-stop hub” transforms how we access and understand local housing data. The dashboard delivers real-time information across all Wake County jurisdictions, allowing users to:
“This tool will help us all make informed decisions about how we grow and where we invest,” explains Susan Evans, Wake County Board of Commissioners member. “The more we understand the full picture, the more effectively we can address housing challenges and create opportunity for all.”
The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story
The dashboard reveals some eye-opening statistics about our rapidly growing region. Wake County’s population has surged nearly 10% over the past decade, jumping from 974,971 residents in 2013 to approximately 1.2 million in 2023. Even more striking: in 2024 alone, over 41,000 people relocated to Wake County from other parts of the country.
This explosive growth is creating unprecedented demand in an already constrained housing market. The result? A perfect storm of housing challenges affects everyone from first-time buyers to long-term residents.
The Supply and Demand Disconnect
Here’s where the data gets sobering. Wake County projects that approximately 154,000 new homes will be built by 2035 at the current development pace. The problem? The region actually needs up to 230,000 homes to accommodate projected growth.
This massive gap between supply and projected demand threatens to create a cascade of housing issues, including increased housing costs, higher rates of overcrowding, and potential displacement of existing residents. It also limits opportunities for newcomers who want to live and work in our thriving region.
The Affordability Crisis in Numbers
The financial impact is already visible in rental markets. Since 2018, median rent has climbed more than 26%, rising from $1,248 to $1,693 in 2023. This dramatic increase has pushed nearly 61,000 renter households into “cost-burdened” territory, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
For prospective homeowners, the situation is equally challenging. Roberto Quercia, professor at UNC-Chapel Hill’s department of city and regional planning, explains the dilemma facing many Triangle residents: “The supply of starter homes for sale is very limited. Home prices are high relative to incomes, and affordable homes with desirable amenities are scarce.”
A Growing Humanitarian Concern
The housing crisis extends beyond market dynamics to real human impact. Wake County’s official homeless population has grown nearly 27% over the past year, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, data-driven solutions.
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Why This Dashboard Matters
By making comprehensive housing data accessible to everyone, Wake County is fostering transparency and enabling more informed decision-making across the community. Whether you’re planning to buy your first home, considering an investment property, or working on housing policy, this dashboard provides the insights needed to navigate our complex housing landscape.
The launch of this tool represents more than just better data access—it’s a commitment to addressing our housing challenges head-on with evidence-based solutions. As our region continues to grow and evolve, resources like this dashboard will be essential for creating sustainable, equitable communities for all residents.
Ready to explore the data for yourself? The Wake County housing dashboard is now live and available to the public, offering unprecedented insight into one of our region’s most critical issues. To read more about the dashboard, visit New housing dashboard gives real-time updates for Wake County | Raleigh News & Observer.
