Raleigh was an independent township and Shelby County’s first seat of government until it was absorbed by Memphis in 1866. Today, it’s a largely African-American, working class neighborhood with well-kept brick homes situated between its major streets — James Road, Stage Road, Austin Peay Highway, Covington Pike and Yale Road. Its business community is almost entirely retail with many fast food restaurants, big box stores and small businesses. Raleigh Egypt High School has one of the state’s best basketball programs while Craigmont High School offers the city’s only international studies program.