Living Wage in Wake County

Image Source: News & Observer

What does it take to make ends meet in Wake County? 

Do you make a living wage?
When money gets tight, the food budget is the first place to cut, forcing families to opt for cheaper and lower quality calories. Because of this inevitable connection to household income, Capital Area Food Network is part of a community based coalition convening to answer these questions and to certify, support, and incentivize  businesses paying a living wage.

In 2022, The NC Budget & Tax Center calculated the Living Income Standard for all counties in North Carolina by examining eight household necessities: food, housing, child care, health care, transportation, taxes, debt payments and miscellaneous costs. That standard does not account for savings and investments that would allow a family to get ahead. 

In Wake County, a family of four would need to make $81,850. Two years later, that number has only gone up. 

Source: https://ncbudget.org/heres-what-it-takes-to-make-ends-meet-in-your-nc-county/

A Living Wage business certification process has been a particular focus of the Wake County Board of Commissioners over the past decade and is funded by Wake County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion division.  The project is facilitated by JHL Consultants, LLC/ www.theorgdetectives.com and Just Economics of Asheville www.justeconomicswnc.org.

Because multiple methodologies exist for determining a living wage, and economic conditions vary by county, the group is assessing Wake’s current  living wage standard. A guiding principle is that the Living Wage initiative be community-led and eventually have a home outside of the County. Community-based organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate. Please contact Cindy Sink, CAFN Economic Circle leader cindydsink@gmail.com for more information.