Economic Indicators
The Wake County economy is strong and vibrant, and it is projected to remain healthy even as so many areas of the country are struggling. In May of 2008, Forbes Magazine ranked the Triangle’s economy as one of the top five recession-proof economies. Retail sales topped more than $15 billion in 2007 and are expected to grow by 20 percent to nearly $18 billion by 2012. The median home value is holding relatively steady at $228,100. Fourteen million residential units were added last year tallying more than $2.6 billion.
State Sales and Use Tax: Gross Collections and Taxable Sales
Wake Forest
| Name | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Gross Collections | $9,324,048 | $12,107,921 | $13,634,605 | $15,203,993 | $15,312,179 | Taxable Sales | $286,357,062 | $381,186,264 | $305,760,749 | $347,128,780 | $359,007,110 |
Wake County
| Name | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Gross Collections | $397,864,441 | $416,865,253 | $455,482,346 | $494,403,505 | $483,889,303 | Taxable Sales | $13,420,476,707 | $14,611,287,767 | $10,323,329,461 | $11,262,239,398 | $11,339,906,108 |
Source:NC Department of Revenue
Building Permits issued in Wake Forest (by Year and Type)
| Name | New Commercial Permit | Permit Values | New Residential Permit | Permit Values |
| Jan-Sept 08 | 24 | $20,333,034 | 233 | $47,532,834 | Jan-Sept 07 | 18 | $14,071,108 | 564 | $127,238,876 | Jan-Dec 06 | 37 | $11,563,391 | 872 | $181,506,341 | Jan-Dec 05 | 31 | $22,007,616 | 1001 | $190,835,239 | Jan- Dec 04 | 31 | $22,590,392 | 763 | $118,276,252 |