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 | |
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Town | |
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Flag Seal Logo | |
| Nickname: Peak City | |
| Motto: "The Peak of Good Living" | |
Location in Wake County and North Carolina | |
Apex Apex Apex | |
| Coordinates: 35°43′11″N 78°50′38″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Wake |
| Incorporated | 1873 |
| Named for | Highest point on the Chatham Railroad |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Jacques Gilbert |
| Area | |
| • Total | 25.15 sq mi (65.13 km2) |
| • Land | 25.06 sq mi (64.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2) 0.36% |
| Elevation | 390 ft (120 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 58,780 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 71,065 |
| • Density | 2,345.66/sq mi (905.67/km2) |
| Demonym | Apexian or Apexer |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 27502, 27523, 27539 |
| Area codes | 919, 984 |
| FIPS code | 37-01520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405157 |
| Website | www.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.
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. Apex is currently the 18th-largest municipality in North Carolina.