Apex, North Carolina
Apex, North Carolina | |
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Flag Seal Logo | |
| Nickname: Peak City | |
| Motto: "The Peak of Good Living" | |
Apex, North Carolina Location in Wake County and North Carolina Apex, North Carolina Apex, North Carolina (the United States) Apex, North Carolina Apex, North Carolina (North America) | |
| Coordinates: 35°43′11″N 78°50′38″W / 35.71972°N 78.84389°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | |
| Incorporated | 1873 |
| Named after | Highest point on the Chatham Railroad |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager |
| • Body | Apex Town Council |
| • Mayor | Jacques Gilbert |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.15 sq mi (65.13 km2) |
| • Land | 25.06 sq mi (64.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.089 sq mi (0.23 km2) 0.36% |
| Elevation | 390 ft (120 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 58,780 |
• Estimate (2023) | 72,225 |
| • Density | 2,345.7/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 |
Apex (/ˈeɪ.pɛks/) is a town in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. 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".
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, making it the 17th-most populous municipality in North Carolina.
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.