Apex, North Carolina Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 24, 2019 · Updated October 21, 2024

The current estimated population of Apex is 73,000, with 48% male and 52% female. The population has grown rapidly due to its proximity to the Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area, making it one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing towns.

City Facts

Year founded: 1873
County: Wake County
Land area: 25.5 square miles
Population density: 2,862 people per square mile
Area code: 919
Zip codes: 27502, 27523, 27539

Geography and Location

Apex is located in Wake County, in central North Carolina, about 15 miles southwest of Raleigh, the state capital. As part of the fast-growing Research Triangle region, Apex benefits from its proximity to major employers, research institutions, and universities, making it a popular residential area for professionals and families. The town’s name, “Apex,” refers to its historical position as the highest point along a portion of the Chatham Railroad. The area is known for its gently rolling terrain, and Apex is surrounded by lakes, parks, and green spaces, including the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Apex experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The town is well connected via U.S. Route 1, which provides easy access to the Raleigh-Durham area, as well as nearby Cary and Holly Springs. Apex has a vibrant downtown area, known for its historic buildings, restaurants, and shops, and is often ranked as one of the best places to live in North Carolina due to its high quality of life, excellent schools, and community-oriented atmosphere.

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.2 years
Median household income: $71,052
Median house value: $178,800

Population by Race

Races in Apex:

White Non-Hispanic (83.4%)
Black (7.5%)
Hispanic (3.2%)
Asian Indian (1.7%)
Two or more races (1.7%)
Chinese (1.3%)
Other race (1.1%)
American Indian (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (17.5%), English (14.9%), Irish (13.4%), Italian (8.9%), United States (8.3%), Polish (3.7%).

Elevation: 550 feet

Land area: 10.5 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Apex

High school or higher: 96.0%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 58.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 17.0%
Unemployed: 1.7%
Mean travel time to work: 25.4 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Apex town

Never married: 20.0%
Now married: 68.9%
Separated: 1.9%
Widowed: 2.4%
Divorced: 6.9%

7.3% Foreign born (3.0% Asia, 1.6% Europe, 1.5% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +14,684 (+265.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Apex:

WAKEMED FOR WESTERN WAKE MEDICAL CTR (about 6 miles; CARY, NC)
REX HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; RALEIGH, NC)
DOROTHEA DIX HOSP (about 14 miles; RALEIGH, NC)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Apex:

RALEIGH-DURHAM INTL (about 11 miles; RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC; Abbreviation: RDU)
POPE AFB (about 41 miles; FAYETTEVILLE, NC; Abbreviation: POB)
MOORE COUNTY (about 51 miles; PINEHURST/SOUTHERN PINES, NC; Abbreviation: SOP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Apex:

TRIPLE W (about 14 miles; RALEIGH, NC; Abbreviation: 5W5)
HORACE WILLIAMS (about 20 miles; CHAPEL HILL, NC; Abbreviation: IGX)
SANFORD-LEE COUNTY RGNL (about 20 miles; SANFORD, NC; Abbreviation: TTA)

Amtrak stations near Apex:

7 miles: CARY (311 N. ACADEMY ST.). Services: partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, taxi stand, public transit connection.
15 miles: RALEIGH (320 W. CARRABUS ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.
19 miles: DURHAM (400 W. CHAPEL HILL ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, taxi stand.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Apex:

MEREDITH COLLEGE (about 12 miles; RALEIGH, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,173)
WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 14 miles; RALEIGH, NC; Full-time enrollment: 4,754)
SHAW UNIVERSITY (about 16 miles; RALEIGH, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,299)
DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 17 miles; DURHAM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,338)
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH (about 17 miles; RALEIGH, NC; Full-time enrollment: 23,918)
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY (about 17 miles; DURHAM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 4,487)
DUKE UNIVERSITY (about 21 miles; DURHAM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 11,898)

Schools

Public high schools in Apex:

APEX HIGH (Students: 2,047; Location: 1501 LAURA DUNCAN RD; Grades: 09 – 12)
MIDDLE CREEK HIGH (Students: 1,220; Location: 123 MIDDLE CREEK PARK AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Apex:

WEST LAKE MIDDLE (Students: 1,412; Location: 4600 WEST LAKE RD; Grades: 06 – 08)
WEST LAKE ELEMENTARY (Students: 1,176; Location: 4500 WEST LAKE RD; Grades: PK – 05)
APEX MIDDLE (Students: 1,038; Location: 6150 OLD JENKS ROAD; Grades: 06 – 08)
LUFKIN ROAD MIDDLE (Students: 975; Location: 1002 LUFKIN ROAD; Grades: 06 – 08)
OLIVE CHAPEL ELEMENTARY (Students: 959; Location: 1751 OLIVE CHAPEL ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)
BAUCOM ELEMENTARY (Students: 838; Location: 400 HUNTER ST; Grades: KG – 05)
SALEM ELEMENTARY (Students: 756; Location: 6116 OLD JENKS ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)
MIDDLE CREEK ELEMENTARY (Students: 734; Location: 110 MIDDLE CREEK PARK AVENUE; Grades: PK – 05)
APEX ELEMENTARY (Students: 655; Location: 700 TINGEN ROAD; Grades: KG – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Apex:

MONTESSORI CENTER FOR CHILDREN (Students: 45; Location: 4817 JOHNSON POND ROAD; Grades: PK – KG)