| Wake County | was formed in 1771 from Johnston, Cumberland, and Orange Counties. Located in the E central section of the state, it is bounded by Johnston, Harnett, Chatham, Durham, Granville, and Franklin Counties. It was named for Margaret Wake (1733-1819), wife of Governor William Tryon. Area: 867 sq. mi. County seat: Raleigh, with an elevation of 363 ft. Raleigh is also the state capital. Townships are Barton Creek, Buckhorn, Cary, Cedar Fork, Holly Springs, House Creek, Leesville, Little River, Marks Creek, Meredith, Middle Creek, Neuse River, New Light, Panther Branch, Raleigh, St. Marys, St. Matthews, Swift Creek, Wake Forest, and White Oak. Produces tobacco, corn, wheat, oats, cotton, poultry, dairy products, hogs, livestock, farm machinery, concrete products, baked goods, textiles, cottonseed oil, apparel, furniture, pharmaceuticals, packaged foods, software, nursery products, strawberries, pumpkins, crushed stone, and fabricated metals. |