Garner, North Carolina – General Information

Garner is a rapidly growing town in Wake County with a population of approximately 41,000 residents as of 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in North Carolina and the entire United States. Garner ranked 10th among the nation’s fastest-growing cities with a population increase of over 10 percent between 2023 and 2024. The town sits just southeast of Raleigh and is also located near Durham, North Carolina.

Garner is conveniently accessible via major highways including Interstate 40, US Highway 70, NC Highway 42, and Interstate 42 (the new designation for the US 70 corridor between Garner and Morehead City). These corridors connect residents to downtown Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The town is also served by NC Highway 50, which runs through eastern Garner toward Benson.

The History of Garner

Land near the town of Garner was first settled around 1751. In the 1850s, the North Carolina Railroad was built, and before the 1870s, a wood-and-water stop was established in present-day downtown Garner. The community of Garner’s Station received a post office in 1878 and was incorporated in 1883, though the charter was repealed in 1891. In 1905, the charter was reinstated as the Town of Garner.

Garner lies along US 70, which was the first highway constructed in North Carolina as a paved roadway. It also runs through the area of Chapel Hill, NC. The road became known as NC 10 around 1920 and later as US 70. NC 10 was the first paved road built in the state and was financed by the first bonds sold by the state to build highways.

Cotton farming was the main source of income for early settlers of Garner and nearby areas. Before the turn of the century, the town bustled with many businesses including a fine cabinet maker, mercantile, drug store, and doctor’s office. Garner continued to grow steadily throughout the years, with more rapid development in recent decades. Today, the Downtown Garner Historic District, Edenwood, and Meadowbrook Country Club are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Current Demographics and Community Profile

The average household income in Garner is $106,793 with a poverty rate of 7.27%. The median household income is $77,496, and the median age is 37.6 years.

The racial composition includes 59.17% White, 26.09% Black or African American, 4.16% other races, and smaller percentages for Asian, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial populations. The population density stands at approximately 2,800 people per square mile across Garner’s 14.8 square miles.

Garner has become a major growth area in the Research Triangle, with thousands of new residential units having been approved, built, or under construction in recent years. Because of its proximity to downtown Raleigh, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and Research Triangle Park, Garner is a popular choice for people looking to buy a home and raise their family in a safe, affordable, and convenient community.

Comprehensive Wildlife Control Services

Our team provides professional wildlife management solutions throughout Garner neighborhoods, from established communities like Heather Woods and Autumn Oaks to newer developments such as Adams Point, Grove at White Oak, and Eagle Ridge. We serve properties near major corridors including US 70, Aversboro Road, Buffaloe Road, and White Oak Road.

Services Available in Garner, North Carolina:

• Garner NC Squirrel Removal Service
• Garner NC Raccoon Trapping Company
• Garner NC Bat Extraction Companies
• Garner NC Rat Control Services
• Garner NC Snake Removal Company
• Garner NC Wildlife Exclusion Services
• Garner NC Opossum Removal Services

Wildlife activity is common throughout Garner, NC due to the town’s extensive park system, proximity to Lake Benson, and rapid residential development. Animals including raccoons, squirrels, bats, and snakes frequently seek shelter in homes and businesses, particularly in neighborhoods near White Deer Park Nature Center and areas along the Neuse River Trail.

Whether you live in North Garner near the Cleveland community, South Garner in neighborhoods like The Village at Aversboro, East Garner along Timber Drive, or West Garner near Lake Benson, we provide prompt, professional wildlife solutions. Our experienced technicians understand local wildlife behavior and deliver humane, effective removal services throughout Wake County. We offer the highest rated Garner NC bat removal services for residential and commercial properties.

Notable Garner Neighborhoods

Garner features diverse neighborhoods, each offering unique character and appeal to residents:

Autumn Oaks is a lovely neighborhood of brick homes with beautiful large lots on tree-lined streets. The community is adjacent and walkable to two beautiful parks: White Deer Park with miles of greenway trails, picnic shelters, and a playground, and Lake Benson Park offering a boathouse with boat rentals, a dog park, beautiful lake views, and a history exhibit. Homes typically range from 2,500 to 3,200 square feet on lots from 0.3 to 0.5 acres.

The Village at Aversboro is a 55-plus active adult community featuring low-maintenance single-family homes and a clubhouse. Located within walking distance of Lake Benson Park and only nine miles from downtown Raleigh, this community offers 147 homes with yards maintained by the HOA. Residents enjoy social activities including card games, potlucks, movie nights, and community events.

Adams Point is a great planned community minutes from the 40/42 shopping and restaurant corridor. The neighborhood features a community pool, clubhouse, and playground, with homes typically ranging from 1,800 to 3,600 square feet on lots from 0.25 to 0.5 acres.

Grove at White Oak is one of Garner’s newest and most prestigious luxury communities. This secluded neighborhood nestled amongst towering oak trees offers residents high-end amenities and custom estate homes. The community includes Grove at White Oak Park with walking trails, a playground, and picnic shelters.

Heather Woods is an established neighborhood with sidewalks, walkable to White Deer Park, Lake Benson Park, and the Poole Family YMCA. Homes were built between 1980 and 1990 and typically range from 2,200 to 3,700 square feet. The neighborhood has no HOA fees but offers convenient access to world-class fitness facilities.

Eagle Ridge is a golf course community spreading over more than 500 acres, representing one of Garner’s hot neighborhoods in recent years.

Transportation and Accessibility

Garner residents enjoy convenient access to multiple forms of transportation, including road, air, and rail service.

Major Highways and Roads

Several highways serve Garner and provide excellent connectivity throughout the Triangle area:

Interstate 40 passes by the east and north of the town. Garner is accessible from I-40 via exit 306 at US 70, exit 309 at I-42/NC 540, and exits near Hammond Road, Saunders Street, and Jones Sausage Road.

US Highway 70 serves as the main east-west highway through Garner. Most shopping centers and businesses in town are located along US 70, which was North Carolina’s first paved highway. The corridor is being upgraded to interstate standards as part of the future Interstate 42 project.

Interstate 42 represents a major new designation for the corridor between Garner and Morehead City. I-42 begins at a systems interchange under construction with I-40 and Toll NC 540 near Garner, enhancing freight and passenger movement throughout eastern North Carolina.

NC Highway 42 runs south of Garner and serves many addresses in unincorporated parts of Wake and Johnston Counties with Garner postal addresses.

Timber Drive is an extension of Hammond Road that serves as a major arterial connecting residential areas of Garner with US 70 and I-40.

Garner Road is a former alignment of US 70 that parallels it along the town’s northern edge.

Public Transportation

Garner is served by GoRaleigh bus routes 7, 20, and 40x. Route 20 connects Downtown Garner with Downtown Raleigh as well as shopping centers at White Oak, Timber Crossing, and Forest Hills, the Garner Town Hall, the Southeast Regional Library, and the Garner Police Station. Routes 7 and 40x serve shopping centers around Garner Station.

Rail and Air Access

While Amtrak has no scheduled stop in Garner, there is a station in Raleigh just a few miles away. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located a short distance from Garner and offers regular passenger services to destinations nationwide. General aviation services are available at Raleigh Executive Jetport in nearby Knightdale.

Parks, Recreation, and Attractions

The Town of Garner Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department manages over 870 acres of parkland and recreational open space. The town offers extensive recreational amenities including over four miles of paved trails, 12 playgrounds, 12 picnic shelters, 14 athletic fields, six tennis courts, and a boathouse on Lake Benson.

Lake Benson Park

Lake Benson Park is a sizeable lake area featuring fishing, boating, walking trails, and picnic facilities. The park includes the Lake Benson boathouse, which is open during warm-weather months and offers boat and canoe rentals along with free fishing from the dock. The park serves as home to the town’s annual Independence Day celebration, which draws crowds of 10,000 or more and includes fireworks and a performance by the North Carolina Symphony. The Garner Veterans Memorial, an inspiring and educational structure dedicated in 2013, is also located at Lake Benson Park.

White Deer Park Nature Center

White Deer Park is a 96-acre nature preserve featuring both paved and unpaved trails that connect the park to neighboring Lake Benson Park and surrounding neighborhoods and schools in South Garner. The park has two playgrounds and picnic shelters available for rental. The LEED Gold-certified Nature Center offers educational programming and activities for citizens of all ages, providing hands-on learning about local ecosystems and wildlife.

South Garner Park

South Garner Park is a recreation area offering sports fields, a large playground, tennis courts, and a short hiking trail. The park provides ample space for family activities and community sports programs.

Neuse River Trail

The Neuse River Trail is a long paved greenway located in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. It runs along the banks of the Neuse River from Falls Lake Dam all the way to Clayton. The trail provides excellent opportunities for biking, walking, jogging, and nature observation.

Garner Veterans Memorial

This memorial was specifically designed to honor all veterans, especially those who died during war and conflict. Visitors to this memorial can read brief and informative history about the past sacrifices made by service members from the Garner community and beyond.

Downtown Garner Historic District

Historic Downtown Garner offers a charming area with local shops, restaurants, and community events including food truck rodeos and pop-up markets where visitors can shop local businesses. The Garner Performing Arts Center hosts cultural events and performances throughout the year.

Local Government and Services

Garner operates under a Council-Manager government. The publicly elected Town Council serves as the legislative body and appoints a Town Manager to manage the town’s administrative operations. The Town Council consists of the Mayor and five Town Council Members, one of whom serves as Mayor Pro Tempore.

The Garner Police Department has 78 sworn police officers and professional staff personnel providing law enforcement services to the community. The department is divided into two bureaus: the Operations Bureau and the Administration Bureau.

Education in Garner

Various schools serve students in and around Garner, though not all are located within the town limits. In North Carolina, schools are organized at the county level, and students are assigned to schools without regard to which municipality they live in.

Wake County Public Schools

• Aversboro Elementary School
• Creech Road Elementary School
• East Garner Elementary School
• Rand Road Elementary School
• Smith Elementary Magnet School
• Timber Drive Elementary School
• Pandora Drive Elementary School
• East Garner Middle School (IB Magnet School)
• North Garner Middle School
• Garner Magnet High School (IB Magnet School)
• South Garner High School

Johnston County Public Schools

Some students in the Cleveland community area of Garner attend Johnston County schools:

• Polenta Elementary School
• West View Elementary School
• Cleveland Middle School

The Wake County Public School System is consistently ranked among the best in North Carolina. Half of Wake County residents 25 years of age or older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, providing Garner with one of the smartest labor forces in the state.

Employment and Economy

Garner’s top employers include major retailers, food service companies, and logistics operations. The town’s proximity to Research Triangle Park makes it an ideal location for professionals working in technology, healthcare, and research industries. Major employers in the area include:

• Pergo
• Cabela’s
• Golden State Foods
• Target
• Wake County Public Schools
• Strategic Behavioral Health
• Kroger
• F&D Huebner, LLC

Known for its hometown charm and atmosphere yet located near the heart of Research Triangle Park, Garner offers an excellent economic climate well-suited for new, relocating, or expanding businesses. The Garner Technology Center represents a premier industrial site in Wake County with 98 acres fronting Interstate 40, all utilities available on site, and potential incentive packages.

Wildlife Management Needs in Garner

The extensive park system, proximity to Lake Benson and the Neuse River, and rapid residential development throughout Garner create frequent interactions between wildlife and residents. Common wildlife concerns include:

Raccoons frequently nest in attics and crawl spaces throughout Garner neighborhoods, particularly in older homes with mature landscaping near White Deer Park and areas along the greenway system. These animals can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris), creating serious health risks for families and pets. Professional removal and exclusion protect homes from these threats.

Bats often roost in attic spaces and wall voids, especially in neighborhoods throughout Garner’s historic downtown area and established communities like Heather Woods and Autumn Oaks. Accumulated bat droppings can harbor Histoplasma capsulatum, the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. Professional bat exclusion ensures safe removal while preventing future entry.

Squirrels cause significant damage when they nest in attic spaces, chewing through wiring, insulation, and structural components. These animals are especially active in neighborhoods with mature trees like those found throughout established areas near Lake Benson and along Aversboro Road.

Snakes, while generally beneficial for controlling rodent populations, can alarm property owners when discovered near homes or in garages. Most snake species in the Garner area are non-venomous, but professional identification and removal provide peace of mind.

Rodents including rats and mice enter homes seeking food and shelter, particularly during colder months. These animals can contaminate food, damage property, and spread diseases through their droppings and urine. Professional rodent control eliminates existing populations and prevents future activity.

Our team serves all Garner communities, from North Garner neighborhoods near the Cleveland area to South Garner properties near The Village at Aversboro, and East Garner along Timber Drive to West Garner near Lake Benson. We provide comprehensive inspection, removal, exclusion, and repair services to protect residential and commercial properties throughout the entire Garner area.