Apex is a small community 20 miles south of Raleigh that has a charming blend of rich history and a bright future. Founded in the 1860's, the town got its name from a location at the highest point on the old Chatham Railroad. Downtown Apex is an iconic small town with a well-preserved downtown that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes about 60 structures built between 1870 and 1940. The Old Union Depot, built in 1914, is designated as a Wake County Historic Landmark. Downtown Apex contains a unique assortment of award-winning restaurants, specialty shops and boutiques, bakery and ice cream shops, salons, spas, and professional services. Historic downtown Apex is a great place to spend a relaxing day or evening shopping, strolling and dining. In addition, festivals and events are held throughout the year in Downtown Apex.
Apex is one of the most vibrant, progressive and fastest-growing communities in the Research Triangle Area , and the thriving Downtown Historic District is at the town's heart. The unique mixture of historic homes, restaurants and specialty shops gives special meaning to their motto: "Apex, the peak of good living." It's no surprise that Apex and the Triangle area have consistently appeared as a top 10-ranked community in major publications such as Business North Carolina, Money, CNN/Money, and Forbes. The popular national publication Money magazine ranked Apex as the No. 1 best place to live in America based on criteria including jobs, strong economies, affordable homes, schools, and other factors.