Apex, North Carolina

Apex (/ˈeɪ.pɛks/) is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. At its southern border, Apex encompasses the community of Friendship. In 1994, the downtown area was designated a historic district, and the Apex train depot, built in 1867, is designated a Wake County landmark. The depot location marks the highest point on the old Chatham Railroad, hence the town's name. The town motto is "The Peak of Good Living".

Apex
Town
Apex Historic District
Apex Historic District
Flag of Apex
Flag
Official seal of Apex
Seal
Official logo of Apex
Logo
Nickname: 
Peak City
Motto: 
"The Peak of Good Living"
Location within Wake County and North Carolina
Location within Wake County and North Carolina
Apex is located in North Carolina
Apex
Apex
Apex is located in the United States
Apex
Apex
Apex is located in North America
Apex
Apex
Coordinates: 35°43′11″N 78°50′38″W
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyWake
Incorporated1873
Named forHighest point on the Chatham Railroad[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
Area
[2]
 • Town25.15 sq mi (65.13 km2)
 • Land25.06 sq mi (64.90 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation
[3]
390 ft (120 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Town58,780
 • Estimate 
(2022)
71,065
 • Density2,345.66/sq mi (905.67/km2)
 • Metro
1,302,946
DemonymApexian or Apexer
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
27502, 27523, 27539
Area codes919, 984
FIPS code37-01520[4]
GNIS feature ID2405157[3]
Websitewww.apexnc.org

In the late 19th century, a small community developed around the railroad station. The forests were cleared for farmland, much of which was dedicated to tobacco farming. Since Apex was near the state capital, it became a trading center. The railroad shipped products such as lumber, tar, and tobacco. The town was officially incorporated in 1873. By 1900, the town had a population of 349. As of the 2020 census, its population was 58,780.[5]

The population boom occurred primarily in the late 1990s. The Research Triangle Park, established in the 1960s, created strong demand for technology workers. This also drove population growth.[6] Apex is currently the 18th-largest municipality in North Carolina.

History
Apex Union Depot, built in 1914

In 1869, the Chatham Railroad, connecting Chatham County with Raleigh, was completed. At the highest point of the line, which railroad workers dubbed the "apex of the grade", existed a pond. Trains leaving out of Chatham would stop at the pond to replenish their water. A community began to grow around the stop, which the railroad workers called Apex.[7] The town of Apex was incorporated in 1873.[8] The pond was eventually drained by culverts and ceased to exist by 1900.[7]

Apex grew slowly through the succeeding decades, despite several devastating fires, including a June 12, 1911, conflagration that destroyed most of the downtown business district.[9] The town center was rebuilt and stands to this day, now one of the most intact railroad towns in the state. At the heart of town stands the Apex Union Depot, originally a passenger station for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and later home to the locally supported Apex Community Library. The depot now houses the Apex Chamber of Commerce.

Apex suffered mild setbacks during the Great Depression era, but growth began again in earnest in the 1950s. The town's proximity to RTP spurred additional residential development, yet the town managed to preserve its small-town character. During the 1990s, the town's population quadrupled to over 20,000, placing new demands upon Apex's infrastructure.

Apex has continued to grow in recent years. A sizable shopping center was built at the intersection of Highway 55 and US 64, and several new neighborhoods have been built as the town grows toward the west.[10]

In October 2006, a chemical explosion and fire in a waste-processing facility prompted one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history.[11] There were few serious injuries, and residents were soon able to return home.[12][13] In 2009, a federal court approved a $7.85M settlement to compensate Apex residents affected by the disaster. Each household received $750. Businesses received $2,200.[14]

In 2015, Apex was named the number-one place to live in America, according to Money magazine.[15]

In addition to the Apex Union Depot, the Apex City Hall, Apex Historic District, Calvin Wray Lawrence House, and Utley-Council House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[16]

Geography

The town is a suburb of both Raleigh and Research Triangle Park (RTP). It is situated to the southwest of Raleigh with direct highway access via US 1. Apex is south of RTP with direct highway access via NC 540. Apex crests the watersheds of both the Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers.[6] Neighboring towns include Cary to the north and northeast, Holly Springs to the south, and Raleigh to the east and northeast.

Climate
Climate data for Apex, North Carolina, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1993–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27)		 82
(28)		 89
(32)		 92
(33)		 96
(36)		 103
(39)		 103
(39)		 104
(40)		 100
(38)		 98
(37)		 87
(31)		 80
(27)		 104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 69.5
(20.8)		 73.4
(23.0)		 81.6
(27.6)		 86.5
(30.3)		 90.1
(32.3)		 94.9
(34.9)		 96.5
(35.8)		 95.3
(35.2)		 92.3
(33.5)		 86.8
(30.4)		 77.2
(25.1)		 73.3
(22.9)		 98.2
(36.8)
Average high °F (°C) 50.9
(10.5)		 54.4
(12.4)		 61.9
(16.6)		 71.6
(22.0)		 78.7
(25.9)		 85.7
(29.8)		 89.0
(31.7)		 87.4
(30.8)		 81.5
(27.5)		 71.8
(22.1)		 62.2
(16.8)		 53.9
(12.2)		 70.7
(21.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 40.9
(4.9)		 43.5
(6.4)		 50.5
(10.3)		 59.6
(15.3)		 67.7
(19.8)		 75.4
(24.1)		 79.2
(26.2)		 77.5
(25.3)		 71.6
(22.0)		 60.7
(15.9)		 50.9
(10.5)		 44.0
(6.7)		 60.1
(15.6)
Average low °F (°C) 30.9
(−0.6)		 32.6
(0.3)		 39.1
(3.9)		 47.6
(8.7)		 56.7
(13.7)		 65.2
(18.4)		 69.4
(20.8)		 67.7
(19.8)		 61.7
(16.5)		 49.5
(9.7)		 39.5
(4.2)		 34.1
(1.2)		 49.5
(9.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 15.6
(−9.1)		 18.5
(−7.5)		 24.8
(−4.0)		 33.9
(1.1)		 44.1
(6.7)		 57.1
(13.9)		 61.9
(16.6)		 61.3
(16.3)		 52.3
(11.3)		 36.9
(2.7)		 26.3
(−3.2)		 23.1
(−4.9)		 14.3
(−9.8)
Record low °F (°C) 2
(−17)		 3
(−16)		 15
(−9)		 26
(−3)		 38
(3)		 46
(8)		 57
(14)		 54
(12)		 43
(6)		 31
(−1)		 20
(−7)		 9
(−13)		 2
(−17)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.65
(93)		 3.00
(76)		 4.08
(104)		 3.63
(92)		 3.83
(97)		 4.33
(110)		 5.07
(129)		 4.64
(118)		 5.27
(134)		 3.71
(94)		 3.45
(88)		 3.67
(93)		 48.33
(1,228)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 2.9
(7.4)		 1.0
(2.5)		 0.4
(1.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.3
(0.76)		 0.2
(0.51)		 4.8
(12)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.2 9.5 10.5 9.8 10.2 10.9 11.7 10.3 8.7 7.9 8.4 10.6 118.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 1.4 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.6 3.2
Source 1: NOAA[17]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)[18]

Government

Apex's council-manager form of government has a mayor and five council members (one of whom serves as mayor pro tem), who are each elected at-large in staggered four-year terms. The town's attorney and manager serve at the pleasure of the council. All the other staff report to the town manager and manage the town's day-to-day business.

The town is led by Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert, elected in 2019. The council members, in order of tenure, are: Brett D. Gantt (2017), Audra M. Killingsworth (2017), Terry J. Mahaffey (2019), Ed Gray (2021), and Arno Zegerman (2023).[19]

In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Apex is represented by Julie von Haefen (District 36), Erin Paré (District 37), and Gale Adcock (District 41). In the North Carolina Senate, Apex is represented by Sydney Batch (District 17). In the United States House of Representatives Apex is represented by Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Wiley Nickel (NC-13).

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880228—
189026918.0%
190034929.7%
191068195.1%
192092636.0%
1930863−6.8%
194097713.2%
19501,0659.0%
19601,36828.5%
19702,19260.2%
19802,84729.9%
19904,96874.5%
200020,212306.8%
201037,47685.4%
202058,78056.8%
2022 (est.)71,065[5]20.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

2020 census
Apex racial composition[21]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 39,498 67.2%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,852 6.55%
Native American 99 0.17%
Asian 7,295 12.41%
Pacific Islander 16 0.03%
Other/mixed 3,117 5.3%
Hispanic or Latino 4,903 8.34%

As of the 2020 United States census, 58,780 people, 18,197 households, and 14,027 families reside in the town.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, 37,476 people, 13,225 households, and 9,959 families resided in the town. The population density was 2,437.9 people per square mile. The 13,922 housing units had an average density of 905.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 69% White, 7% African American, 12% Asian, 3% from other races, and 9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8% of the population.[22]

Of the 18,197 total households, 14,027 (77%) were family households, of which 46% had children under 18 living with them, 63% of the family households were married couples living together, and 11% had a female householder with no husband, 4,170 households were not families, comprising 23% of total households. The average household size was 3.12, and the average family size was 2.81.[23]

Economy

Top employers

According to the 2020 Comprehensive Financial Report for Apex, these were the town's top employers:[24]

# Employer # of employees
1 Wake County Public Schools 1,779
2 Town of Apex 506
3 Dell 500
4 Apex Tool Group 425
5 Bland Landscaping 325
6 Costco 290
7 ATI Industrial Automation 275
8 Super Target 250
9 Walmart 243
10 Lowe's Home Improvement 220

Schools

Apex's public schools are operated by the Wake County Public School System.

Over 4,000 students are enrolled in two public high schools in Apex,[25] Apex Friendship High School and Apex High School.

Public middle schools include:

  • Apex Friendship Middle School
  • Apex Middle School
  • Lufkin Road Middle School
  • Salem Middle School

Public elementary schools include:

  • Apex Elementary School
  • Apex Friendship Elementary School
  • Baucom Elementary School
  • Laurel Park Elementary School
  • Olive Chapel Elementary School
  • Salem Elementary School
  • Scotts Ridge Elementary School

Private schools:

  • Peace Montessori School
  • St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School
  • Thales Academy of Apex

Charter schools:

  • Peak Charter Academy
  • The Math and Science Academy of Apex

Infrastructure

Roads
  • US 1, US 64, and NC 55 are the major roads through Apex.
  • The Triangle Expressway southwestern section ( NC 540) is a toll road connecting to I-540. This is a partially completed loop road around the greater Raleigh area.
  • The Apex Peakway' is a loop road orbiting downtown Apex. The peakway was conceived as a means to relieve traffic in the downtown area and provide a bypass for commuters traveling from one side of the town to the other. It is currently the only "peakway" in North Carolina, taking its name from Apex's town motto: "The Peak of Good Living." When finished, the Apex Peakway will be 6 miles (9.7 km) long; so far 5 miles (8.0 km) have been constructed.[26]

Transit

Bicycle

Utilities

Apex Utilities provides water/sewer, electricity, garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup.[28] Natural Gas is provided by PSNC.[29]

Health care

Emergency, primary, and specialist care is provided at the WakeMed Apex Healthplex.[30]

Fire

Fire protection is provided by the Apex Fire Department operating from five stations with a sixth under construction.[31]

Police

Police service is provided by the Apex Police Department.[32]

Parks and recreation

The Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources department manages many parks, greenways, and sport programs, including a skate park near downtown.[33]

Major parks include:

There are both youth and adult sport programs:[36]

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

Arts and culture
  • Apex PeakFest is the community's annual festival held on the first Saturday in May. The downtown area is closed off and over 200 vendors provide food, arts & crafts, rides, and other entertainment.[37]
  • The Halle Cultural Arts Center provides a theater, classroom, and gallery spaces.[38] It was built as the Town Hall in 1912.[39]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Our History". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Apex, North Carolina
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Apex town, North Carolina". www.census.gov. September 14, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  6. "Our History | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  7. Leah, Heather (September 14, 2023). "Apex's secret identity: Lost pond hides true origins of NC town". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  8. Bynum, Sheryl. "Town of Apex". North Carolina History Project. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  9. "History of the Apex Volunteer Fire Department". Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  10. "Beaver Creek Crossings to Bring More Than 650,000 Square Feet of New Retail Space to Apex, N.C.". The Creative Investor. April 21, 2005.
  11. "Thousands Evacuated in Apex Chemical Fire". InjuryBoard. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  12. "Chemical fire evacuation over". NBC News. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  13. Reeves, Jeff (October 5, 2016). "Apex chemical explosion 10 years later: How it changed haz-mat site regulations". WNCN. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  14. WRAL. "Apex chemical explosion settlement approved :: WRAL.com". WRAL.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  15. "Best Places to Live 2015: Apex, North Carolina". Money. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  16. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  17. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Apex, NC". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  18. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Raleigh". National Weather Service. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  19. "Meet Your Town Council". Town of Apex. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  20. "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  22. "United States Census Bureau Race". United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  23. "United States Census Bureau Households and Families". United States Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  24. "Town of Apex North Carolina Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020". Town of Apex. June 30, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  25. "District Facts". Wake County Public School System. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  26. "Apex Peakway Completion Plan". Town of Apex. January 2012. p. 32. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  27. "27th ANNUAL NCBC BREVET SERIES - 2010 Brevet Series". Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  28. "Utility Services | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  29. "Infrastructure | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  30. "Apex Healthplex 120 Healthplex Way, Apex, North Carolina (NC), 27502". www.wakemed.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  31. "Fire Department | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  32. "Police Department | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  33. "Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  34. Doran, Will (January 22, 2016). "Pleasant Park design approved in Apex". The News & Observer. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  35. "Pleasant Park". ApexNC.org. August 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  36. "Youth Athletics | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  37. "PeakFest | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  38. "Halle Cultural Arts Center | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  39. "History of the Halle | Apex, NC - Official Website". www.apexnc.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  40. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=123384
  41. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=20977
  42. Douglas, Williams. (Jan 20, 2018). N.C. hockey player ready to skate for historic Korean hockey team in Winter Olympics. Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  43. Susan D. Higginbotham - an Apex, North Carolina (NC) lawyer. FindLaw. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  44. Peeler, Tim (June 17, 2000). "Greensboro News & Record". Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  45. "'Human Ken Doll' with North Carolina ties wants to be 100 percent plastic". March 15, 2015.
  46. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=57080
  47. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=33615
  48. Street, Julia Montgomery, Author - North Carolina Literary Map. library.uncg.edu. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  49. Will Wynn Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
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