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