Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a city rich in history and culture. Salem was founded in 1766 by German Moravians as a congregational town, and the nearby city of Winston was established in 1849. As the area became known for its tobacco, furniture, and textile industries, completion of the railroad line furthered the economic growth of the Winston and Salem communities. In 1913 the two cities merged, and although Winston-Salem is now North Carolina’s fourth largest city, it retains its early Southern charm, and visitors can still stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Salem.

In addition to Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem is home to Winston-Salem State University, Salem College, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Forsyth Technical Community College. These institutions, as well as the city’s rich offering of cultural, historical, social, and sporting events, combine to make Winston-Salem a unique and pleasurable place to live.

Nestled in the rolling hills of North Carolina’s western Piedmont, Winston-Salem offers its visitors and residents the best of many worlds. Winston-Salem is only 2.5 hours away from the Blue Ridge Mountains, and only 4 hours from the beautiful beaches of the Carolinas. The climate is mild, but the Winston-Salem area still experiences all four seasons, with average high summer temperatures around 87° F and average high winter temperatures around 50° F. In addition to the versatility offered by its location, Winston-Salem is also a city of social diversity. The city boasts a cost of living that is at or below the national average.

With an estimated population of over 200,000, Winston-Salem offers most of the activities enjoyed in larger cities with the appeal of a small town. For art lovers, Winston-Salem provides the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum for Early Southern Decorative Arts, and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, as well as the Sawtooth Center, which features interactive art exhibits.

Theater buffs will find Winston-Salem a delight. In addition to performances at the city’s universities and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem is home to several community theaters and the National Black Theatre Festival. Nearby High Point is home to the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. The RiverRun International Film Festival, one of the premier film festivals in the Southeastern United States, is held in Winston-Salem in spring. The festival showcases a rich blend of works by independent, international, and student filmmakers.

Sports fans and nature lovers will enjoy Winston-Salem as well. The city has over 40 parks and big-time sports excitement with minor league professional baseball and hockey teams.