Wake County, North Carolina (population 627,846 in 2000) was established in 1771, and named in honor of Margaret Wake, wife of the Royal Governor of the British colony of North Carolina.

Rated as one of the best places to live and work in America, Wake County has a thriving tourist industry, with cultural offerings for visitors and residents alike.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is located in Wake County and many schedule at least a day there. Blue Ridge, the museum restaurant, features culinary art and eclectic fare, from salads, sandwiches, entrees, and weekend brunches while viewing mammoth sculptures and beautifully landscaped grounds. There are generally food vendors at the outdoor summer concerts and films, and you are welcome to bring a picnic for outdoor programs also.

The Raleigh City Museum showcases Raleigh's history and traditions. Their website has a monthly Raleigh Trivia page: "This Month in History in Raleigh"

The beautiful white beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains are equidistant day-trips, and there is so much to see and do in Wake County, that it has become a favorite return vacation spot for visitors. Some of the fascinating and historical sights are:

• The African American Cultural Complex
• Executive Mansion 
• Haywood Hall 
• Historic Oak View County Park 
• Historic Yates Mill County Park 
• Joel Lane House
• Mordecai Historic Park 
• North Carolina Museum of History 
• The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 
• Olivia Raney Local History Library 
• Pope House Museum 
• State Capitol

The Neuse River and the Cape Fear River provide the fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, and camping that have become synonymous with NC, and the Wake County Parks and Recreation Department is also charged with the preservation and presentation of many preserved historical sites and buildings. 

Employment is high here, because Wake County and the state of North Carolina have made this area even more attractive to employers than to their tourists. Wake County is home of the world-renowned Research Triangle Park. Industry, Research, Tourism, and Agriculture all play their part in this diversified economy and job market. Employers should note that Wake County has a high percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher, and central to its attraction for business is Within a local commute, are North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Meredith College, Wake Technical Community College, Durham Technical Community College, Vance-Grandville Community College, Duke University, and Shaw University, among others.

Not quite Piedmont uplands nor yet the coastal plain of North Carolina, the county edges are still rural with the traditional farmhouses and small community churches, schools, and stores still serve the family infrastructure of people who appreciate their family and their heritage. Local historical societies are well established and have worked to preserve and showcase this heritage. Subdivisions and shopping centers abound, of course and Wake County boasts a variety of museums and parks, shopping and restaurants.

The City of Raleigh, established in 1792, is centered in Wake County. Raleigh is also the capitol of the state of North Carolina.