Apex, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Apex, North Carolina had a total population of 70,630, the 15th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $144,135, which is 99% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 99% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.3% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 69.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Apex Quick Facts
How Apex Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,765 | 70,630 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $138,442 | $144,135 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $514,800 | $576,100 | +11.9% |
How Apex Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Apex Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Wake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | 11.9% | $415,800 |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | 5.7% | $580,200 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | 4.5% | $474,500 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | 4.8% | $535,800 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | 8.2% | $451,500 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | 8.4% | $355,000 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | 3.1% | $518,800 |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | 5.9% | $329,600 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | 5.3% | $380,100 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | 3.2% | $330,500 |
Cities Similar to Apex
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | $472,900 | 57.5% | 3.1% |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | $474,500 | 59.5% | 4.5% |
| Chapel Hill | 61,607 | $85,989 | $613,700 | 76.6% | 18.6% |
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | $210,100 | 26.3% | 12.7% |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | $535,800 | 67.3% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Apex is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Wake County. The total population is 70,630. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Apex is 36.4 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Apex has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Apex is $144,135. This is 99% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 79% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.3%. This is 83% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $576,100. Housing costs are 99% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Apex is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.7% of the population. Asian residents account for 19.5%. The Black or African American population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (19.5% vs 3.3%).
Education
69.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Apex in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 95% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.3%. Notably, 30.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Apex, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Apex, North Carolina?
Apex, North Carolina has a population of 70,630 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Apex, NC?
The median household income in Apex is $144,135, which is 79% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Apex, NC?
The poverty rate in Apex is 2.3%. This means approximately 1,584 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Apex, North Carolina?
Apex's population is 61.7% White, 7.3% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Apex, NC?
The median home value in Apex is $576,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Apex, North Carolina?
69.5% of adults (25+) in Apex hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.