Survey: Wake County residents find cost of living, affordable housing to be top issues

On Monday, Wake County leaders are learning more about what locals consider to be the top concerns for quality of life in one of the most growing areas of the state.

Posted 4:33 p.m. Apr 10, 2023 — Updated 3:07 p.m. Apr 11, 2023

Joe Fisher

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — On Monday, Wake County leaders are learning more about what locals consider the top concerns for quality of life in one of the most growing areas of the state.

The biggest priorities for those polled in a new survey include the cost of living and affordable housing.

The county commissioners will review these findings on Monday. The results will help inform decision making on big issues in the years to come.

The survey of more than 2,000 people gave Wake County high marks for its access to good jobs and the parks system. The presentation with complete survey results is available here.

It seems residents believe there needs to be more work done to improve access to affordable housing and access to services for the homeless, people who need support for mental health and substance use.

Most important issues facing Wake County

21% - Development & Growth
20% - Affordable Housing
11% - Education
9% - Traffic & Roads
8% - Public Safety

Wake County's top priorities

63% - Cost Of Living
56% - Affordable Housing
50% - Schools
47% - Roads & Highways
45% - Public Safety
42% - Growth & Development

A majority of people in the surveys said they were satisfied with the services provided by Wake County and 87 percent agree Wake County is a nice place to live. Other strengths from the survey included access to quality educational opportunities, the job market, and availability of healthy and affordable food.

The top reasons for living in Wake County included location (49.5%), friends and family (48%) and access to employment (46.7%).

Carrie Prasad said she pays $1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment in Cary and noted how the area is becoming more expensive in recent years. She's a parent of two children and felt satisfied with the local schools.

"It’s grown so fast, so much," said Prasad of the area. "Even in the time I have been here it’s gotten so much bigger and so much more development in the Cary and Morrisville area and every pocket is being developed.”

A total of 2,261 people were surveyed between September to October 2022. A total of 64% of those surveyed have lived in Wake County for 10 or more years. Of those polled, 25.5% answered that they were in the 50 to 64 age range.

A conversation with the Board of Commissioners begins Monday at 2 p.m.

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