Raleigh is the capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina and serves as the county seat of Wake County. Located in the United States, it is recognized as the largest city within the Research Triangle area and ranks as the second-most populous city in the state.
The city covers an area of 148.54 square miles (384.7 km2) and had a population of 467,665 according to the 2020 census. It is frequently referred to as the "City of Oaks" due to its oak-lined streets. The city was named in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, who founded the lost Roanoke Colony.