Apex, North Carolina: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
added notable people
Line 79: Line 79:
The town of Apex was incorporated in 1873, named for its location as the highest point on a portion of the Chatham Railroad which ultimately extends between [[Richmond, Virginia]] and [[Jacksonville, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/11/entry |title=Town of Apex |accessdate=2009-04-17 |last=Bynum |first=Sheryl |work=North Carolina History Project | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090329160347/http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/11/entry| archivedate= 29 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> Apex grew slowly through the succeeding decades, despite several devastating fires, including a June 12, 1911 conflagration which destroyed most of the downtown business district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apexvfd.org/history/history_fire.html |title=History of the Apex Volunteer Fire Department |accessdate=2009-11-16 }}</ref> 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.
The town of Apex was incorporated in 1873, named for its location as the highest point on a portion of the Chatham Railroad which ultimately extends between [[Richmond, Virginia]] and [[Jacksonville, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/11/entry |title=Town of Apex |accessdate=2009-04-17 |last=Bynum |first=Sheryl |work=North Carolina History Project | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090329160347/http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/11/entry| archivedate= 29 March 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> Apex grew slowly through the succeeding decades, despite several devastating fires, including a June 12, 1911 conflagration which destroyed most of the downtown business district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apexvfd.org/history/history_fire.html |title=History of the Apex Volunteer Fire Department |accessdate=2009-11-16 }}</ref> 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|Depression-era]], but growth began again in earnest in the 1950s. The town's proximity to North Carolina's [[Research Triangle Park]] 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' infrastructure.
Apex suffered mild setbacks during the [[Great Depression|Depression-era]], but growth began again in earnest in the 1950s. The town's proximity to North Carolina's [[Research Triangle Park]] 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' infrastructure. The town also has a long history of [[Bigfoot]] sightings, which has attracted many newcomers to the area.


Apex has continued to grow in recent years. A sizable shopping center was built at the intersection of [[North Carolina Highway 55|Highway 55]] and [[U.S. Route 64|US 64]], and several new neighborhoods have been built as the town grows toward the west.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= |authorlink= | title=Beaver Creek Crossings to Bring More Than 650,000 Square Feet of New Retail Space to Apex, N.C. | date=2005-04-21 | publisher= | url = | work =The Creative Investor | pages = | accessdate = 2009-04-17 | language = }}</ref>
Apex has continued to grow in recent years. A sizable shopping center was built at the intersection of [[North Carolina Highway 55|Highway 55]] and [[U.S. Route 64|US 64]], and several new neighborhoods have been built as the town grows toward the west.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= |authorlink= | title=Beaver Creek Crossings to Bring More Than 650,000 Square Feet of New Retail Space to Apex, N.C. | date=2005-04-21 | publisher= | url = | work =The Creative Investor | pages = | accessdate = 2009-04-17 | language = }}</ref>

Revision as of 20:36, 2 February 2015

Apex, North Carolina
Town
The historic downtown district of Apex
The historic downtown district of Apex
Official seal of Apex, North Carolina
Seal
Nickname: 
Peak City
Motto: 
"The Peak of Good Living"
Location in Wake County and the state of North Carolina.
Location in Wake County and the state of North Carolina.
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyWake
Incorporated1873
Government
 • MayorWilliam “Bill” Sutton
 • Mayor Pro TemGene Schulze
 • Town ManagerBruce Radford
Area
 • Town15.4 sq mi (39.8 km2)
 • Land15.2 sq mi (39.4 km2)
 • Water0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2)
Elevation
499 ft (152 m)
Population
 (2012)
 • Town40,420
 • Density2,465.5/sq mi (951.9/km2)
 • Metro
1,998,808
DemonymApexian or Apexer
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
27502, 27523, 27539
Area code(s)919, 984
FIPS code37-01520[1]
GNIS feature ID1018834[2]
Websitewww.apexnc.org

Apex is a town in Wake County, North Carolina and a suburb of Raleigh. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the town's population to be 42,214 as of July 1, 2013. [3]

Geography

Apex is located at 35°43′55″N 78°51′10″W / 35.731952°N 78.852878°W / 35.731952; -78.852878 (35.731952, -78.852878).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.4 square miles (40 km2), of which, 15.2 square miles (39 km2) of it is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km2) of it (0.57%) is water.

Neighboring towns include Raleigh to the east, Cary to the north and northeast, and Holly Springs to the south.

History

Apex Union Depot, built in 1914.

The town of Apex was incorporated in 1873, named for its location as the highest point on a portion of the Chatham Railroad which ultimately extends between Richmond, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.[5] Apex grew slowly through the succeeding decades, despite several devastating fires, including a June 12, 1911 conflagration which destroyed most of the downtown business district.[6] 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 Depression-era, but growth began again in earnest in the 1950s. The town's proximity to North Carolina's Research Triangle Park 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' infrastructure. The town also has a long history of Bigfoot sightings, which has attracted many newcomers to the area.

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.[7]

In October 2006, a chemical fire in an Apex waste processing facility generated worldwide headlines when much of the town was temporarily evacuated.[8] There were few serious injuries, and residents were soon able to return home.[9]

In July 2009, CNN/Money magazine ranked Apex #44th [2] on its list of the nation's top places to live. In 2013, CNN/Money ranked the town 9th for the same category

Government

Apex's Council-Manager form of government comprises 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 other staff report to the town manager and manage the town's day-to-day business.

The town's mayor is William "Bill" Sutton. He was appointed to the post in 2014 to replace Keith Weatherly who resigned. Gene Schulze is Apex's Mayor Pro Tem. The other council members are: Bill Jensen, Scott Lassiter, Nicole Dozier, and Denise Wilkie.[10]

On January 21, 2014, it was announced that Weatherly would be resigning as Mayor of Apex to take on a new job opportunity.[11] William "Bill" Sutton was selected by the council to finish Weatherly's term of office.[12]

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%
2012 (est.)40,4207.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
2012 estimate

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 20,212 people, 7,397 households, and 5,584 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,918.2 people per square mile (740.4/km2). There were 8,028 housing units at an average density of 761.9 per square mile (294.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 85.06% White, 7.55% African American, 0.29% Native American, 4.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.21% of the population.

There were 7,397 households out of which 46.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 44.8% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 4.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $71,052, and the median income for a family was $78,689 (these figures had risen to $81,545 and $91,326 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[13]). Males had a median income of $55,587 versus $37,057 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,727. About 1.2% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Transportation

Passenger

Roads

  • 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 this motto was first created it was meant to represent the fact that Apex got its name from being the highest point along the Eastern Seaboard railway and thus the "peak", or "apex" of the railway. When finished, the Apex Peakway will be 5.97 miles (9.61 km) long; so far 4.21 miles (6.78 km) have been constructed.[14]
  • The Triangle Expressway southwestern extension of I-540 is under construction in southern Apex to be opened in 2013.[15]
  • US 64 and U.S. 1 are both freeways in the Apex area. NC 55 travels through the center of town.

Bicycle and pedestrian

Top Employers

According to the 2013 Comprehensive Financial Report for Apex,[17] the top employers in the town are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Wake County Public Schools 894
2 Cooper Industries 419
3 Town of Apex 339
4 EMC Corp. 322
5 Target 300
6 Bland Landscaping 230
7 Walmart 225
8 Tipper Tie, Inc. 137
9 North Carolina Department of Correction 127
10 Rex Healthcare 125

Notable people

  • Sio Moore, an American football linebacker for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL).

References

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "Annual Estimates of Resident Population Change for Incorporated Places 2010 to 2013". United States Census Bureau.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ^ Bynum, Sheryl. "Town of Apex". North Carolina History Project. Archived from the original on 29 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "History of the Apex Volunteer Fire Department". Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  7. ^ "Beaver Creek Crossings to Bring More Than 650,000 Square Feet of New Retail Space to Apex, N.C.". The Creative Investor. 2005-04-21. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Thousands Evacuated in Apex Chemical Fire". InjuryBoard. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  9. ^ "Chemical fire evacuation over". MSNBC News. MSN. Retrieved 2009-04-17. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ "Meet Your Town Council". Around Apex. Town of Apex. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 2014-02-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/01/21/3553438/apex-mayor-keith-weatherly-resigned.html
  12. ^ http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/10/3609668/sutton-chosen-next-apex-mayor.html
  13. ^ "Apex town, North Carolina". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  14. ^ "Apex Peakway Completion Plan" (PDF). Town of Apex. July 2010. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-09-17. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  15. ^ "Western Wake Freeway". North Carolina Turnpike Authority. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.unc.edu/~alanj/ |title=27th ANNUAL NCBC BREVET SERIES - 2010 Brevet Series|accessdate=2010-09-19}}
  17. ^ [1]

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Apex,_North_Carolina&oldid=645353810"