Restaurants and bars in Wake County, NC: how many are there?
Wake County, North Carolina had 2,451 restaurants and bars with paid employees in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's County Business Patterns. Wake County ranks 42nd among the 3,019 US counties with data for this category, and 2nd of 100 in North Carolina.
Establishments by number of employees
| Employees | Establishments | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 employees | 537 | 21.9% |
| 5 to 9 | 371 | 15.1% |
| 10 to 19 | 555 | 22.7% |
| 20 to 49 | 733 | 29.9% |
| 50 to 99 | 221 | 9% |
| 100 or more | 32 | 1.3% |
Employment is approximate: the Census Bureau adds statistical noise to protect confidentiality. Establishment counts are not noised.
Where Wake County fits in North Carolina
North Carolina has 20,368 restaurants and bars with paid employees across 100 counties; Wake County has 12% of them. Nationally, the total is 650,365.
Other counties in North Carolina
- Mecklenburg County2,606
- Guilford County1,117
- Buncombe County801
- Forsyth County775
- New Hanover County760
- Cumberland County692
- Durham County686
- Cabarrus County438
Other categories in Wake County
- Medical and dental offices1,267
- Other health practitioner offices939
- Auto repair shops582
- Hair, nail and barber shops543
- Gyms and fitness centers251
- Supermarkets and grocery stores230
- Hotels, motels and lodging202
- Pharmacies and drug stores157
Frequently asked questions
How many restaurants and bars are there in Wake County, NC?
2,451 establishments with paid employees in 2023, according to Census Bureau County Business Patterns. Businesses with no employees, such as many owner-operated shops, are not counted.
How does Wake County compare with other counties?
Wake County ranks 42nd among the 3,019 US counties with data for this category, and 2nd of 100 in North Carolina.
How big are restaurants and bars in Wake County?
22% of them have fewer than 5 employees and 40% have 20 or more, based on the number of employees per establishment.
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau, 2023. Only establishments with paid employees are counted (NAICS 7225, 7224). Methodology and limits.