The All-America City of Garner, North Carolina, is a town of over 31,000 residents in the heart of Wake County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. Despite all of the growth, Garner has retained its hometown charm and strong community identity. Just minutes from downtown Raleigh, Garner offers convenient access to one of the nation’s premier metropolitan areas as well as to major transportation arteries, affordable homes, outstanding parks and trails, and numerous cultural, educational and entertainment venues. Recent public and private investment  in Garner’s historic downtown have made it a growing hub of activity in the community.

Location and Transportation

Located at the intersection of U.S. 70 and I-40, Garner sits at the convergence of two triangles—where innovation from the Research Triangle Park meets the transportation corridors leading to North Carolina’s deep-sea ports. The I-40/U.S. 70 interchange has many amenities and resources, and with I-95 and I-85 also nearby, Garner offers superior highway access up and down the East Coast. Raleigh-Durham International Airport serves the area and is only 20 minutes from Garner. Amtrak service is available in nearby downtown Raleigh.

The Wake Transit Plan (see gotriangle.org) has increased bus service in Garner and throughout the region. As the next phases of the plan are implemented, Garner residents can expect to see bus rapid transit and eventually commuter rail service.

North Carolina

Vital Records (Birth/Death Certificates) (919) 733-3526
Highway Patrol (919) 773-3861

Garner

Animal Control
(919) 772-8810

Animal Center Wake County
(919) 212-PETS (7387)

Building Permits and Inspections
(919) 773-4433

Dog Licenses
(919) 773-4408

Downtown Garner Association
(919) 773-4402

Driver’s License
(919) 662-4366

Garner Chamber of Commerce
(919) 772-6440

Garbage Collection
(919) 772-7600

Garner EMS Non-Emergency
919) 773-7555

Garner Fire Department Non-Emergency
(919) 772-1550

Garner Performing Arts Center
(919) 661-4602

Garner Picnic Shelters
(919) 773-4442

Garner Police Non-Emergency
(919) 772-8810

Garner Senior Center
(919) 779-0122

Garner Business/Privilege Licenses
(919) 773-4408

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
(919) 773-4442

Public Works
(919) 772-7600

Sign Permit
(919) 773-4449

Southeast Regional Library
(919) 662-2250

Town of Garner
(919) 772-4688

Town Clerk
919) 773-4406

Water/Sewer Service
(919) 996-3285

Transit

GO Triangle
(919) 485-7433

Wake County

Obtain License Plates
(919) 715-7000

Register to Vote
(919) 856-6240

Wake County Emergency Management
(919) 856-6480

Wake County Health Department
(919) 250-4400

Wake County Property Tax Billing
(919) 856-5400

Work Permits
(919) 212-7655

Wake County Sheriff
(919) 856-6900

Wake County SPCA
(919) 772-3226

Medical Services

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital
(919) 954-3000

UNC Rex Healthcare
(919) 783-3100

WakeMed Garner Healthplex
(919) 350-8000

WakeMed Health & Hospitals
(919) 350-8000

Johnston UNC Healthcare
(919) 585-8000

Med Mart Urgent & Primary Care
(919) 772-3154

Nextcare Urgent Care
(919) 779-5010

FastMed of Garner
(919) 329-5000

Uncommon Care Urgent & Primary Care
(919) 803-8901

Utilities

Report a Power/Streetlight Outage
(919) 508-5400

Residential and Business

Telephone Services
(888) 757-6500

Water Service
(919) 890-3245

AT&T
(919) 772-1560

Duke Energy
(919) 508-5400

PSNC Energy
(877) 776-2427

Spectrum Cable
(919) 595-4892

Business and Industry

Garner offers the perfect environment for businesses big and small. The town has a growing tech and creative-class cluster in its historic downtown and in other places around the community. Major multinational corporations such as Konica Minolta have a business presence in Garner, and companies including Butterball have made Garner home to their corporate headquarters. The Garner Chamber of Commerce (garnerchamber.com) and the town government’s Economic Development Department (garnernc.gov) offer support and an abundance of resources to both existing and prospective businesses.

Homes

Since 2015, over 3,000 new residential units—including more than 2,000 single-family homes and townhomes—have been approved, are under construction or have been completed. Much of the new residential construction is occurring around new public schools in south Garner. Although real estate values have been increasing steadily in recent years, Garner still boasts great housing options at a variety of price points. The Village at Aversboro and Auburn Village offer great single-family housing options for residents ages 55 and over.

Education

Most children in Garner attend schools in the Wake County Public School System, one of the nation’s largest public school systems. Three Garner-area schools—Smith Elementary, East Garner Middle and Garner Magnet High—are accredited by the International Baccalaureate Program, an academically rigorous curriculum focused on preparing young people to become productive citizens in a global economy. Two new schools are opening in Garner in 2018, South Garner High and Bryan Road Elementary. Two other schools—Garner Magnet High and Vandora Springs Elementary—are being rebuilt in order to meet the needs of the community for many years to come.

There are 10 colleges and universities in the immediate area, including Duke, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. Most of these institutions offer both day and evening classes that are open to full- and part-time students. These institutions include large research universities, private colleges and seminaries. Wake Technical Community College is just minutes from Garner and offers associate’s degrees, continuing education courses and workforce training opportunities.

Recreation

White Deer Park (2400 Aversboro Road) and neighboring Lake Benson Park (921 Buffaloe Road) comprise 160 acres of open space and several miles of paved and unpaved trails. White Deer Park’s LEED Gold-certified Nature Center offers educational programming year-round and has a classroom and outdoor learning deck available for rental. The Garner Veterans Memorial (garnerveteransmemorial.org) in Lake Benson Park is a popular and moving destination.

Visitors can enjoy boating and fishing on weekends spring through fall on the 364-acre Lake Benson. A town-operated boathouse (975 Buffaloe Road) rents canoes, kayaks and jon boats (with or without motors) at affordable hourly and daily rates.

The town’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department (garnernc.gov) offers an impressive array of recreational programming for people of all ages. The Garner Senior Center (205 E. Garner Road) and Garner Recreation Center (opening in fall 2018 at the corner of Main and Montague Streets) are hubs of recreational activity year round.

The new Poole Family YMCA facility (2110 Aversboro Road) also offers a wide range of programming and amenities, including an outdoor aquatics center.

Garner residents are approximately two hours from some of the nation’s best beaches and four hours from the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.

Health Care

WakeMed operates a 24/7 emergency department at 400 U.S. 70 in Garner. There are five hospitals (WakeMed-Raleigh, WakeMed-Cary, UNC Rex Healthcare, Johnston UNC Healthcare and Duke Raleigh Hospital) within 25 minutes of Garner, three of which are affiliated with the medical teaching programs of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. Quality care including family birth centers, cancer treatment, convalescent care, same-day surgery and heart and vascular centers—as well as dedicated clinics for pain management, sleep disorders and sports medicine—can be readily found at these hospitals.

There are also four urgent care centers in Garner: Med Mart Primary & Urgent Care, NextCare Urgent Care, FastMed Urgent Care and Uncommon Care Urgent & Primary Care.

Residents in Garner can also take full advantage of the Rex Wellness Center at White Oak Crossing (1400 Timber Drive East).

Community Service

Garner earned its All-America City designation because of strong civic engagement. The faith community plays a large role in helping to meet community needs. A comprehensive listing of community service organizations can be found at garnernc.gov.

Things to Do in Garner NC

Garner takes great pride in its arts, entertainment, shopping and dining options.

Whether it’s the award-winning and highly acclaimed Broadway Voices series, the It’s Showtime! series or the latest production by the Towne Players of Garner, there’s something for everyone at Garner Performing Arts Center (742 W. Garner Road; garnerperformingartscenter.com).

The town’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department (garnernc.gov) sponsors special events throughout the year, including the July 3 Independence Day celebration featuring a free fireworks show and concert by the North Carolina Symphony. The Downtown Garner Association (downtowngarner.com) holds spring and fall food truck rodeos, free outdoor movie nights and pop-up food and crafts markets in our historic downtown.

Outdoors enthusiasts will be happy to know that Garner boasts North Carolina’s only Cabela’s, located in White Oak Crossing (on U.S. 70 right off of Interstate 40). This shopping center also has an array of dining options including an abundance of national chains.

Locals in the know often head to restaurants such as Angie’s (1340 W. Garner Road), Toot ‘n’ Tell (903 W. Garner Road), Carolina Barbecue (733 U.S. 70), Alexander’s Mediterranean Cuisine (263 Timber Drive) and Aversboro Restaurant and Sports Bar (1411 Aversboro Road).

If you’re feeling the need for speed, Rush Hour Karting (5335 Raynor Road) offers an intense indoor racing experience. After that, you can cool down at Garner Ice House skating rink (103 New Rand Road).

Garner has a growing number of great places to hang out and enjoy one of your favorite brewed beverages. Lorraine’s Coffee House and Music (101 Timber Pointe Lane; lorrainescoffeehouse.com) sells sandwiches and desserts to go with its many caffeinated creations and features live bluegrass on many evenings. Full Bloom Coffee and Craft (141 W. Main St.; fullbloomcoffee.com) offers sandwiches and treats to go with its signature brews that are made with locally roasted, small-batch beans. Aversboro Coffee (1401 Aversboro Road), meanwhile, is a local institution in south Garner. And you’re always assured of a great time at Brice’s Brewing Co. (1822 Garner Station Blvd.; bricesbrewing.com) and the Beerded Lady bottle shop (1305 5th Ave., #170).