The first settlers came to Apex NC in the 1860s. Not too long after settlement, the town was incorporated in 1873. Most of the history of Apex is derived from the railroad system that went through the community. Even the town’s name can be traced back to the system. As the highest point along the railroad between Richmond, Virginia to Jacksonville, Florida, the town was named Apex.
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As of 2014, the population of Apex was approximately 43,907 residents. Since 2010, the town has experienced a positive increase in residents of 17.1%. The following is a racial depiction of Apex’s population.
The median age of the residents of Apex matches that of the state of North Carolina, 38 years of age.
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Based on where Apex is located, it’s no surprise that many of the residents are educated. Within the population, nearly 97% of its residents graduated from high school. Additionally, nearly 62% have bachelor’s degrees or higher.
There are currently two school systems serving the residents of Apex, Wake County Public Schools and Chatham County Schools. Many of the students in the local town attend one of the elementary, middle, and high schools listed below.
Baucom Elementary, Laurel Park Elementary, Middle Creek Elementary
West Lake Middle, Salem Middle, Lufkin Road Middle
Apex High received a B rating overall from Niche, a school rating website. The school has a population of 2,527 students. The graduation rate at the school exceeds that of North Carolina. The graduation rate at Apex High is 92%, compared to North Carolina’s median graduation rate of 76%. At the school, 75% of the students in attendance are proficient in math and reading.
Also rated by Niche, Middle Creek High received a B+ overall. The student population is 2,163 students. The graduation rate at this school is 86%. Overall, 60% of the students at this high school are considered proficient in math and reading.
For residents who are interested in getting degrees, Apex is one of the best places to live. Its location provides residents with easy access to top-rated colleges and universities in the area, including Duke University, N. C. State, and The University of Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In the hopes of enriching their lives, the Town of Apex offers residents a variety of culturally enriching activities. Some activities offered by the town are focused on helping the youth, adults, and seniors. The following are a list of programs available to the residents:
Beyond cultural activities offered by the town, residents of Apex can travel between Cary, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill to experience performing arts and a multitude of parks with Greenways and trails.
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Higher incomes afford the locals the ability to have the best that life has to offer. The median household income in Apex is $88,328 compared to a median household income of $45,906 in the state of North Carolina. After working hard all day, the residents can unwind by participating in all that Apex has to offer, including amenities in the surrounding cities.
When you are in Apex and you need a break, you can always relax with some of the locals at their favorite bars and pubs. Two local bars that stand out for many of the residents are Salem Street Pub and JD’s Tavern. Both venues serve American cuisine along with a variety of beers. Salem Street Pub is great when you want to hear live music and enjoy the refreshing taste of beer.
Recently renovated, Peak City Grill and Bar is a local hot spot. The local favorite offers gourmet dinners throughout the week. If you happen to drop by the restaurant on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, you can enjoy live music by Bob Jackson, Tom Neuhauser, and Mark Mathis, respectively, along with your delicious food.
Centrally located between Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, residents of Apex have great access to sporting events. When one of their favorite teams is playing away, then residents have the ability to choose to go to two other games. The spirit of Duke, State, and Carolina runs deep in these parts, so some residents may not want to attend a rivalry’s game. However, they may enjoy going to watch the Carolina Hurricanes play in Raleigh when they are in town.
Although there are a lot of shopping areas in Apex and Cary, including the Cary Towne Center, the Streets of Southpoint are a favorite for people in the nearby area. Located in Durham, the Streets of Southpoint is only a 21-minute drive on the beltline. Stores located at the mall include Express, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell, Abercrombie and Fitch, Forever 21, and a host of other stores.
In addition to retail therapy, the Streets of Southpoint is a great place to grab a bite to eat at Champ’s, The Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread, or Villa Pizza.
Recently, in August 2015, Money Magazine rated Apex the #1 Best Place to Live in 2015. Movoto also named Apex the #1 place to live in the article “The 10 Best Cities in North Carolina.” Factors that were considered that helped Apex win these distinctions include affordability, the small instance of crime, access to great education, higher home values, and higher median household income. Based on these categories, Apex is a leader across the country.
Apex is also best known for is proximity to the Research Triangle Park (RTP). RTP is a world-renowned research and technology hub in the Triangle area. With easy access to jobs in RTP, residents in Apex have high salaries, great educations, and great homes. In fact, it’s Apex’s proximity to RTP that helps the town stand out from other towns. With high-paying, high-tech jobs only minutes away from the town, living in Apex affords you opportunities other parts of North Carolina can’t realize.
