Early economic development came from three main products: furniture, tobacco and textiles then just after the Civil War it was decided that future prosperity would come, not from industry, but from education. Colleges and universities were established here, including the first state university in the U.S., the University of North Carolina.

Raleigh-Durham experienced exceptional growth recently, due to the success of the Research Triangle Park (RTP). RTP is a joint government, business and academia project established in 1959 to draw leading edge research and development companies to the area. Today more than 200 companies have offices within its boundaries.

An influx of newcomers, mostly professionals in their 30's, from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds has brought greater affluence and sophistication to the metro area.