Orange County, NC vs Wake County, NC
Wake County, NC comes out ahead of Orange County, NC on 17 of 31 statistics where one end is better, to 13 with 1 ties. Wake County, NC leads on Economics and Health.
31 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 13
- Avg. percentile
- 71
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 17
- Avg. percentile
- 73
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | Orange County, NC | Wake County, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,251 463rd of 3,094 | 1,284,995 36th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $90,089 295th of 3,093 | $105,768 120th of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 12.5% 1,377th of 3,094 | 8.13% 380th of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 3.3% tied 638th of 3,094 | 3.2% tied 540th of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 30.6% tied 139th of 3,094 | 31.6% tied 277th of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 23.6 1,422nd of 3,094 | 25.1 1,759th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 3,567 tied 943rd of 3,050 | 3,284 840th of 3,050 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsWake County, NC · 9 statistics
- HealthWake County, NC · 11 statistics
Biggest differences
The 22 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | Orange County, NC | Wake County, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 12.5% 1,377th of 3,094 | 8.13% 380th of 3,094 |
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.2% tied 816th of 2,916 | 15.0% tied 365th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 24.4% tied 1,561st of 2,916 | 23.1% tied 1,185th of 2,916 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 23.6 1,422nd of 3,094 | 25.1 1,759th of 3,094 |
| Median IncomePoorest Counties | $90,089 295th of 2,000 | $105,768 120th of 2,000 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 1,396 tied 1,897th of 3,050 | 1,572 tied 2,117th of 3,050 |
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 78.6% tied 343rd of 2,916 | 79.8% tied 147th of 2,916 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $90,089 295th of 3,093 | $105,768 120th of 3,093 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 30.6% tied 139th of 3,094 | 31.6% tied 277th of 3,094 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 94.0% 160th of 3,094 | 95.3% 51st of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 3.3% tied 638th of 3,094 | 3.2% tied 540th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 3,567 tied 943rd of 3,050 | 3,284 840th of 3,050 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1,496 tied 2,844th of 3,090 | $1,623 tied 2,917th of 3,090 |
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 15.3% tied 145th of 2,916 | 14.9% tied 88th of 2,916 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 10.3% tied 99th of 2,916 | 9.5% tied 54th of 2,916 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 7.9% tied 434th of 2,916 | 8% tied 471st of 2,916 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 18.4% tied 119th of 2,916 | 17.9% tied 85th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 29.5% tied 168th of 2,916 | 28.9% tied 145th of 2,916 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 13.8% tied 99th of 2,916 | 13.5% tied 75th of 2,916 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 61.8% 19th of 3,094 | 57.2% 38th of 3,094 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $459,500 tied 2,912th of 3,092 | $461,300 2,918th of 3,092 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 9% tied 420th of 2,916 | 9% tied 420th of 2,916 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Orange County, NC or Wake County, NC?
- Wake County, NC comes out ahead of Orange County, NC on 17 of 31 statistics where one end is better, to 13 with 1 ties. Wake County, NC leads on Economics and Health. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Orange County, NC or Wake County, NC?
- Orange County, NC has a population of 153,251 (463rd of 3,094 US counties) and Wake County, NC has 1,284,995 (36th of 3,094).
- How do Orange County, NC and Wake County, NC compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Orange County, NC $90,089 (295th of 3,093), Wake County, NC $105,768 (120th of 3,093) among US counties. Wake County, NC ranks better.
- How do Orange County, NC and Wake County, NC compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): Orange County, NC 12.5% (1,377th of 3,094), Wake County, NC 8.13% (380th of 3,094) among US counties. Wake County, NC ranks better.
- Where does Orange County, NC beat Wake County, NC most clearly?
- Orange County, NC ranks far ahead on Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 23.6 vs 25.1; Cooling Degree Days per Year (Climate by County (1991–2020 Averages)): 1,396 vs 1,572; Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 30.6% vs 31.6%.
- Where does Wake County, NC beat Orange County, NC most clearly?
- Wake County, NC ranks far ahead on Poverty Rate (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census)): 8.13% vs 12.5%; Adults Who Binge Drink (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 15.0% vs 16.2%; Adults with Depression (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 23.1% vs 24.4%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Orange County, NC or Wake County, NC.