Founded: 1792 (incorporated 1795)
Head Official: City Manager J. Russell Allen (since April 2001)
City Population
1980: 150,255
1990: 218,859
2000: 276,093
2003 estimate: 285,639
Percent change, 1990–2000: 26%
U.S. rank in 1980: 106th
U.S. rank in 1990: 75th
U.S. rank in 2000: 73rd (State rank: 2nd)
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 665,000
1990: 858,000
2000: 1,187,941
Percent change, 1980–1990: 29.1%
U.S. rank in 1980: 61st
U.S. rank in 1990: 54th
U.S. rank in 2000: 40th
Area: 117.3 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 434 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 59.3° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 52.6 inches
Major Economic Sectors: services, government, wholesale and retail trade
Unemployment rate: 3.3% (December 2004)
Per Capita Income: $25,113 (1999)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 17,833
Major Colleges and Universities: North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Meredith College, St. Augustine's
Daily Newspaper: The News and Observer