The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area is a region in the Piedmont of North Carolina anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill.

It is known as the Research Triangle, or more commonly "The Triangle." The "Triangle" name was cemented in the public consciousness in the 1950s with the creation of Research Triangle Park, home to numerous high-tech companies and enterprises. Although the name is now used to refer to the geographic region, "the Triangle" originally referred to the universities (North Carolina State, Duke, North Carolina at Chapel Hill) whose research facilities, and the educated workforce they provide, have historically served as a major attraction, both for businesses located in the region and for international immigrants.

Anchored by leading technology firms, government and world-class universities and medical centers and schools, the area's economy has performed exceptionally well. Significant increases in employment, earnings, personal income, and retail sales are projected over the next 15 years.

Total Population: 1,273,568

(An increase of 12.66 % in the past 5 years.)

Census Data

• Foreign Born - 127,980
• Language Spoken at Home - 155,720

[ Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Foreign Born and Language Spoken at Home]

Quick Facts

• Predicted to be the fastest growing metropolitan center through 2025.


• A major education center that’s home to UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke Universities.


• Home to Wake Tech with a student population of 69,000.


• Home to the Research Triangle Park, a high-tech development zone which now encompasses 16 square miles and employs more than 39,000 people in more than 170 different companies.


• A popular destination for relocation from other parts of the country, especially for those coming from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.


• A popular destination for those relocating from other parts of the world, especially for those coming from India, East Asia, West Africa, Central America, and Europe.


• Raleigh has a sister city relationship with Xiangyang, China; Compiègne, France; Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom; Rostock, Germany; and Nairobi, Kenya.


• Durham has a sister city relationship with Arusha, Tanzania; Durham, United Kingdom; Kostroma, Russia; Toyama, Japan; and Zhuzhou, China.


• In the first decade of the 21st century, Raleigh was featured prominently in a number of "Top 10 Lists," including those by Forbes, MSNBC and Money Magazine, due to its quality of life and business climate.


• Between 2000–2009, the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Combined Statistical Area (CSA) grew by 40%, making it the fastest growing metropolitan center in the USA.


• According to the 2012 Census, the Triangle has 237 different language groups.