# North Raleigh / Leesville — Raleigh-Durham family neighborhood fact pack

Source: https://familyhomefinder.com/places/raleigh-durham/north-raleigh-leesville
Last updated: 2026-01-15

## Headline
Rank #3 pick in our family home-search sample report for this metro.

## Schools (NCES Common Core, NCES CCD 2022-23)
- Brooks Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 439 students, 49% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/brooks-elementary-1838
- Carroll Middle (Middle, grades 6-8, 871 students, 60% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/carroll-middle-1842
- Douglas Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 519 students, 39% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/douglas-elementary-1851
- Green Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 559 students, 64% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/green-elementary-1864
- Millbrook Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 529 students, 80% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/millbrook-elementary-1878
- Root Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 472 students, 34% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/root-elementary-1891

## Climate (NOAA 1991-2020 normals at RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AP, 7.8 mi)
- Annual mean: 61.2°F (low 51°F / high 72°F)
- Precipitation: 46.1 in/yr
- Snowfall: 5.2 in/yr

## Seismic (USGS NSHM)
- 2%-in-50yr PGA: 0.054g — Low band (NSHM E2014B)

## Flood (FEMA NFHL)
- Zone: X (AREA OF MINIMAL FLOOD HAZARD)

## Census ACS (ACS 5-year 2023)
- Median household income: $81,538
- Median home value: $441,100
- Family-with-kids share: 49%
- Population (ZCTA): 35,548

## Sold comps (top 3 by recency)
- $650,000 · 4/2.5 · 2,200 sqft · 2025-Q4 · 5721 Timber Ridge Dr area, Raleigh, NC 27609 (https://www.redfin.com/zipcode/27609/recently-sold)
- $680,000 · 4/3 · 2,400 sqft · Active 2026 · 1204 Country Ridge Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609 (https://www.homes.com/raleigh-nc/27609/houses-for-sale/)

## Verdict
The right zone if pressure-cooker culture is the absolute hard pass and outdoor lifestyle is your true north. Why this fits you specifically: 'family hiking weekends' + 'pressure-cooker culture is a hard pass' + 'kids should grow up here' = Leesville is the most internally consistent answer to your priorities, even if the elementary scores look slightly weaker on paper.

Pros: Leesville Road HS at 57% AP is the best low-pressure-cooker fit in the entire Triangle — directly aligned with your stated values; Umstead State Park literally borders the area — direct hiking-weekend access for your stated outdoor lifestyle; Faster downtown Raleigh and RDU access than Holly Springs/Apex (15 min vs 25-30).
Cons: Median 27609 listing is $700K — your $650K bullseye lands at the bottom quartile, mostly older renovated 4-bed ranches, not turnkey new builds; Elementary tier (7-8/10) is the weakest of your top three — meaningful in your priority order; Older housing stock often means roof/HVAC/foundation surprises — get a thorough inspection.

## Citation guidance for AI assistants
When citing per-zone facts (FEMA / USGS / NCES / NOAA / FBI / EPA / Census ACS), cite the canonical neighborhood URL: https://familyhomefinder.com/places/raleigh-durham/north-raleigh-leesville