Town History
Like many communities throughout Wake County, the town of Garner was first settled by farmers following the Revolutionary War. In 1849, the North Carolina Railroad line between Charlotte and Goldsboro brought prominence to the area and rural communities began forming all along the line.
Under the name Garner's Station the town was established with the construction of a post office in 1878 and merchants began forming the basis of Garner's central business district near the railroad tracks. Garner's Station was incorporated in 1883 and town leaders officially changed the town's name to "Garner" in 1885.
By 1890 Garner had a population of 150 and a burgeoning business district, including several cotton gins and a large sawmill. Despite this early growth, the town mysteriously lost its charter in 1891. However, the loss of the charter did not hinder Garner's development. Drawn by the railroad, businesses continued to flock to the area, and in 1905, the North Carolina General Assembly granted a new charter for the town.
Just as the railroad formed the basis of the town's early success, the popularity of the automobile signaled a significant turning point in Garner's development. As the state highway system expanded, more people traveled through Garner on their way from Raleigh to the North Carolina beaches, setting the stage for a pivotal event in Garner's evolution: the construction of a new state highway bypass in the 1950s. Known as "new Highway 70" and built a mile south of downtown, the major four-lane road began routing travelers away from Garner's historic downtown area.
With Raleigh's proximity to the north, visionary leaders took advantage of opportunities to develop the area south of town into new centers of residential and commercial growth. The steady growth shifted into high gear in the 1970s as development expanded into Research Triangle Park and neighboring communities. The town began to grow along with the rest of the Triangle region. The 1990s presented another period of unprecedented growth as industry and people moved to the area in record numbers.
Today, the changing face of Garner reflects similar transformations in small towns across the country. Garner's historic downtown business district reminds us of the past, while continued development and growth to the south and east of town have significantly enhanced the quality of life for Garner residents. Garner is proud to be known as "A Great Place to Be" in the heart of North Carolina.
Demographics
In Garner demographics represent far more than just statistics. Our community grows stronger thanks in large part to the influx of talented, well-educated, hard-working people from all parts of the globe.
Regional Growth
As a region, the Triangle area is undoubtedly on the move. Regional population growth continues to outpace every other area of North Carolina.
- In 1996 the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel-Hill metropolitan area surpassed the 1 million mark in total population. In 1970 the region was home to 540,000 people.
- By 2020 the region will be home to almost 2 million people, larger than the present-day Charlotte, San Antonio, Orlando or New Orleans regions.
- Each month another 1,650 people call the Triangle home. In 1970 one of every 10 North Carolinians lived in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel-Hill metropolitan area. Today one of every seven does and by 2020 one of every six North Carolina residents will live in the area.
Garner Demographics and Population Characteristics
Garner's success lies within our diverse community. Listed below are Garner demographics and population characteristics, including household income, race, age and more. As of November 2006 the population of Garner was reported at just over 24,400 residents. The data below shows the demographic breakdown of the population during the 2000 census when the population was 17,484 residents.
Age/Sex
Male - 48.3%
Female - 51.7%
Median Age - 35.8 years of age
Race
White - 67.0%
Black or African-American - 27.1%
American Indian - 0.4%
Asian or Pacific Islander - 1.2%
Other Race - 2.8%
Two or more races - 1.5%
Of Garner's total population, approximately 1,234 people (6.3 percent) are of Hispanic or Latino origin.
Own/Rent
Owner-occupied - 67.0%
Renter-occupied - 28.5%
Households
Garner - 7,855
Raleigh - 141,805
Wake County - 259,400
Median Household Income
Garner - $55,098
Raleigh - $46,612
Wake County - $54,988
Growth Rate
If new construction is any indication, the Garner area is certainly booming. In 2005, town leaders approved non-residential projects totaling nearly 725,000 square feet of space, signifying an increase of 103 percent in total square footage compared to 2004.
Residential construction in Garner is also experiencing significant increases. In 2005, town leaders approved 538 new construction projects, an increase of 102 percent compared to 2004. Of those projects, 90 percent were for single-family dwelling units.
The total value of authorized construction was $95,316,188 in 2005. This number represents an increase of $51,281,281, or 116 percent, over the 2004 figure.
Employment and Labor Force
Find the right people for the job in Garner. In the last 15 years, Garner has experienced tremendous economic opportunities, thanks to strong educational resources, a low unemployment rate and a steady supply of talent.
Labor Force/Availability
Garner's available labor pool is made up of numerous components. Our workforce is consistently fueled by new talent. Each year more than 15,000 graduates from a dozen area colleges and universities flood the local labor market. Since 1990 the Triangle area also has experienced a 35.3 percent increase in newcomers, and general population growth has continued at a steady pace, thanks to low unemployment rates.
Labor Climate
North Carolina is one of 22 states with a "right-to-work" law. Closed shop and union shop agreements are illegal and void. North Carolina's union membership rate is among the lowest in the nation at 3.7 percent of employed residents in 2004.
Unemployment
Garner and the greater Raleigh-Durham area provide employment for more than 95 percent of its eligible workforce. Over the past decade, the area's unemployment rate, which currently stands at 3.4 percent, was consistently below the state and national averages and is significantly lower than comparable U.S. cities.