Here are some historical facts from the Town of Apex:
The Apex downtown reflects the town's rich historical beginning. Apex was first settled around 1867 and was incorporated in 1873. The name "Apex" was adopted because the community was the highest point on the Chatham Railroad between Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.
The Apex railroad station was first chartered in 1854 "for the purpose of affecting a communication between the North Carolina Railroad Company (at Raleigh) and the coal fields of Chatham County." Because of the war and problems with Reconstruction, the first locomotive did not pass through Apex until 1869. Since the Apex station was located in the heart of a vast pine forest, it became a shipping point for forest products such as tar, turpentine and lumber.
A community soon developed around the station. Stores and warehouses were built and many of the large forests in the area were converted to farmlands. Before long, Apex became an active trading and shopping center. When the disease known as the Granville Wilt ran many tobacco farmers out of Person and Granville counties at the turn of the century, these farmers found land around Apex to be equally suitable for tobacco production and settled here. The first Wake County tobacco auction market was established in Apex in 1905.
The Apex town motto, "Peak of Good Living" is appropriate for a number of historical reasons. Not only was the town named for being the highest point on the Chatham Railroad, but in places along the main street of Apex, water which falls on one side of the street flows to the Neuse River, and on the other side flows to the Cape Fear River.
Located in southwestern Wake County, Apex is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Triangle. With only 5,000 residents in 1990, Apex has grown to more than 30,000 residents today.
In fact, Apex is anticipated to double its population within the next decade. In order to accommodate its rapid growth, city leaders are making sure that the unique and historical city doesn't lose its small-town charm.
Attracting families and businesses alike, Apex is within close proximity to all the amenities the Triangle has to offer including shopping, businesses, entertainment and sports venues.
Settled around 1867, Apex incorporated in 1873 and earned its name from being the highest point on the Chatham Railroad between Richmond, Va. and Jacksonville, Fla. In the early days, Apex was a shipping point for forest products including lumber, tar and turpentine. As the railroad fostered more growth, Apex became a hub for another product: tobacco.
Apex celebrates its history as a railroad town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for being one of the few turn-of-the-century railroad towns still intact. This includes the Apex train depot, which was built sometime between 1867 and 1873.
Beyond this, the city has recently restored its downtown, which features a number of 19th-century buildings.
With "Peak of Good Living" as its motto, Apex celebrates each year with a street festival held on the first Saturday in May each year. Called "Peak Week," the festival features arts and crafts, food, children's activities and live music. Also, the Apex train depot stages concerts during the spring, summer and fall and offers a diverse selection of music.
For those who love the outdoors, Apex includes nine town-owned parks. Covering 160 acres, Apex Community Park features a range of playing fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts and playgrounds. Also a two-mile walking/running trail runs along the lake, which is more than 50 acres. Although only kayaks and canoes are permitted on the lake, fishing is allowed with a permit.
Apex: Located in the Triangle
Apex is a small town ideally located in the southwestern corner of Wake County just a short drive from major shopping, business, entertainment, recreation and other big-city amenities.
Current corporate limits are the equivalent of 10.83 square miles.
We invite you to join the hundreds of newcomers discovering our delightful small town ideally located in southwestern Wake County. Even though approximately 6 new residents relocate to Apex daily, we have maintained the small town character which is so unique in the rapidly-growing Research Triangle Area.
If you are one of our new residents getting settled into our community, or are considering a decision to join those relocating to our area, we hope this information will be helpful and facilitate an easy move to Apex.
Transportation
Major Highways...I-40, US # 1, US # 64, NC # 55, NC #751
Railroads...Seaboard Coast Line, Southern Railway
Air Travel...Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Airlines...Air South, American, Delta, Midway, Northwest, TWA, and US Air
Commuter...United Air Express/Atlantic Coast Airlines, Delta-Comair, US Air Express, Atlantic Southeast
Elevation and Climate
Elevation: 500 ft. above sea level
Climate: Mild Humid-Subtropical with average temperatures and precipitation as follows:
Temperatures: January (40 F)...April (60 F)...
July (78 F)....October (60 F)
Average Annual Precipitation: 44.75 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 7 inches
Demographics
(all data is 1990 Census unless otherwise indicated)
October 2003 Population Estimate: 27,858
Median Family Income: $46,367
Per Capita Income: $14,575
Median Age: 31.2 years (from 2000 Census)
Education: (min. high school) 81%
College Grad (min.): 42%
Employment
Apex enjoys a thriving economy with a Wake County unemployment rate of 2.9% as of 06/01
Tax Rates
REAL ESTATE TAXES
Town...$.40/$100 valuation,
Wake County...$.604/$100
SALES TAXES
Wake County...2%, State...4%,
NC Prepared Food...1%
Driving times within the Research Triangle area
Cary...10 min.
Sanford...25 min.
Chapel Hill...25 min.
Southern Pines...35 min.
Durham.....25 min.
Fuquay-Varina...15 min.
Garner...25 min.
Raleigh...25 min.
Research Triangle Park...20 min.
Raleigh-Durham Airport...20 min.