Garner is a large, rapidly growing town located just six miles south of downtown Raleigh. This suburb of the capital city serves as a popular residential area for those working in Raleigh or neighboring communities.
Real Estate
Homes in Garner include a variety of options for buyers, including mature traditional and Colonial properties and more modern new construction homes. This is an affordable area with a median selling price under the state average, which means Garner has a high homeownership rate. The friendliness of neighbors, affordability of homes, and pleasant surroundings make Garner a desirable area to call home.
Lifestyle and Attractions
Garner is often called a “community of neighbors” as it maintains a tight-knit and friendly feel amongst its well-connected residents. It has received plenty of accolades over the years, including “One of the Best Cities in North Carolina”, “Sixth Most Affordable City in North Carolina” and more. With a population of about 25,000, Garner has seen significant growth over the years, as the population nearly doubled between 1980 and 2013. Garner has a high median household income, and its workforce is primarily involved in professional, scientific and technical services arenas. Many work in the Garner Technology Center, the Greenfield North Business Park, Garner WakeMed Healthplex and the Raleigh-based Rex Hospital.
The Downtown Garner Historic District, also known as Garner’s Station, features a number of locally owned boutiques, eateries and businesses along charming tree-lined streets with historic buildings. Residents and visitors frequent downtown for shopping, dining or entertainment, or may access the myriad of options located in downtown Raleigh. Garner hosts a number of parks, including Lake Benson Park, Garner Recreational Park, and the notable White Deer Park with a 2,500-square-foot nature center, arboretum and wildflower meadow. The Triangle Beach Music Festival is a fun music event in Garner featuring some of the best beach music bands every spring. The Garner Performing Arts Center is home to an award-winning theater group, and attracts top Broadway talent and other nationally known performances.
Nearby Schools and Higher Education
Garner hosts eight elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school under the Wake County Public School System — the largest public school district in the state and the 16th-largest in the country. The district’s zoning plans change regularly, so Garner students may attend schools located outside of town. There are no private schools located in Garner, but there are 79 in Wake County, several of which are situated nearby. Garner has no institutions of higher learning located within its boundaries, but is perfectly situated near a variety of options. Nearby colleges and universities include Duke University in Durham, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
History
Like many other towns in the state, Garner received its real start with the introduction of the railroad in 1847. However, it is believed that there were settlers in the area as early as the mid-1700s. Farming was the chief source of income for settlers, with cotton and tobacco as the principal crops. Before the turn of the century, small businesses began to open their doors. The first official business is said to have been a wood shop owned by Henry Fort, who was a fine cabinetmaker; in fact, some Garner residents still use his well-made furniture to this day.
There are a variety of legends surrounding the inception of Garner’s name, but many believe a general store owner used the word “granary”, or a storehouse. The town was established as “Garner’s Station” in 1883, but the charter was repealed in 1891. It was later reincorporated as Garner in 1905, and its growth increased over the years due to its direct connection by highway to the capital city.
Approximate Distance to:
Raleigh: 5.5 Miles
Durham: 31.5 Miles
Raleigh-Durham International Airport: 20 Miles
Hospitals:
WakeMed Raleigh Hospital: 7.5 Miles
Duke Raleigh Hospital: 12 Miles
Rex Hospital: 12 Miles
Major Highways:
US-70: 0.5 Miles
I-40: 3 Miles
