About Raleigh
Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees, which line the streets in the heart of the city. The city of Raleigh is named after Sir Walter Raleigh, who established the lost Roanoke Colony in present-day Dare County. The city's population was calculated to be 439,896 as of July 1, 2014. Raleigh is an early example in the United States of a planned city, chosen as the site of the state capital in 1788 and incorporated in 1791 as such. Raleigh is home to numerous cultural, educational, and historic sites. Winters are short and generally cool, with a January daily average of 41.0 °F (5.0 °C).