About Wake County, North Carolina Wake County, known as "The Capital County", was established in 1771. The City of Raleigh, located in central Wake County was established and selected as the Capital of the State of North Carolina in 1792. Wake County is situated in an area known as the "Northeast Piedmont" of North Carolina and is approximately midway between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The total land area of the county comprises approximately 856 square miles. 1995 population estimates place the total population of Wake County at 508,000 with over 157,000 people living in unincorporated areas of the county. Visit the Wake County Homepage to learn more about "The Capital County."