[Raleigh]

bniolet — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:40:07 -0400

Frequently ranked among the best places to live in the United States, Raleigh is the state capital and county seat for Wake County. As of July 1, 2007, Raleigh had an estimated population of 367,995. That number is projected to reach 541,895 by 2025. The city is known for its state government workers, its proximity to Research Triangle Park and its highly skilled workforce, with 89.3 percent of residents having a high school diploma or higher. Six colleges and universities call Raleigh home, including North Carolina State University, Shaw University and Peace College.

Much of the city’s recent growth has occured in its northern reaches, thanks to the availability of land and the construction of large multi-family subdivisions. Known as the City of Oaks, Raleigh is home to 115 city parks and 8,499 acres of parks and greenways.

What are the local attractions?

Raleigh has something for everyone. The RBC Center and Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts offer a wide range of music and cultural events. See a full list of concert venues here. Raleigh has an array of museums, from the N.C. Museum of Art, to the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, to the N.C. Museum of History. New night life corridors have emerged at Glenwood South, the Warehouse District, City Market and the newly opened Fayetteville Street. North Hills Mall has become the city's new uptown. The city's Greenway System provides challenges for hikers and bikers.

What's the history?

The city bears the name of Sir Walter Raleigh, a 16th and 17th century adventurer, courtier to Elizabeth I, navigator author and poet. Raleigh sent the first English colonists to Roanoke Island. By the late 1780s, North Carolina's General Assembly recognized a need for a permanent location to conduct state government. Prior to this time, the state's seat of government had been hosted by several existing cities. Rather than select one of these communities, the legislature decided to build a new city that was more centrally located within the state, according to a history of the city published by the Raleigh City Museum. Eight commissioners were appointed to choose the new Capital's location. On March 30, 1792, the Commissioners purchased 1,000 acres from Wake County landowner Joel Lane and a city plan was quickly developed.

The city of Raleigh grew slowly, with state government initially its primary focus. Over time, inns, taverns, dry-goods stores, coffee houses and brickyards were established to support the burgeoning capital city. Fayetteville Street quickly became Raleigh's commercial core as storefronts began to replace residences along the blocks south of the State Capitol.

Read about how Raleigh changed after the Civil War.

Raleigh History Timeline 1587-2005

Who runs the town?

The city operates under the council/manager form of government. The Professional Manager, Russell Allen, was hired by the eight-member City Council. The council members include Mayor Charles Meeker, two at-large members and five members elected from districts. The city adopted an operating budget for the 2008 fiscal year that totaled SW $320,706,103. According to the city, tax dollars are spent in the following way. Here's an index of city services and telephone numbers.

The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department provides water and sanitary sewer service to over 167,000 metered customers and a service population of approximately 410,000 people in Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon areas.

In the summer of 2007, the city water system began requiring customers to follow mandatory water restrictions because of drought. The restrictions limit lawn watering, car washing and other activities. See a current list of water restrictions.

Who lives here?

The median age in Raleigh was 30.8 as of the 2000 census. The racial breakdown is 63.3 percent white, 27.8 percent black, and 3.4 percent Asian. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 7 percent of the population. Bachelors degrees or higher are held by 44.9 percent of the population over 25.

What about public safety?

Police services are provided by the Raleigh Police Department. Here are the crime statistics for 2006 (source: SBI):

Murder: 19

Rape : 97

Robbery: 782

Aggravated Assault: 1,325

Burglary: 2,978

Larcenies: 8,666

Motor Vehicle Theft: 1,006

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[Raleigh]