Editing Zebulon, North Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Zebulon, North Carolina
| settlement_type          = [[Town]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = "The Town of Friendly People"
| named_for                = [[Zebulon Baird Vance]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.townofzebulon.org/about-zebulon.php?cat=24 |title=History |access-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621005339/http://www.townofzebulon.org/about-zebulon.php?cat=24 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Zebulon, North Carolina 01.jpg
| image_caption            = Downtown Zebulon at the intersection of Arendell Avenue and Horton Street
| image_flag               = Zebulon, NC Town Flag.gif
| image_seal               = Zebulon, NC Town Seal.jpg
| image_map                = Wake County North Carolina incorporated and unincorporated areas Zebulon highlighted.svg
| map_caption              = Location in [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake County]] and the state of [[North Carolina]].

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Carolina|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]], [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston]] (partial), [[Nash County, North Carolina|Nash]] (partial),  [[Franklin County, North Carolina|Franklin]] (partial)
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Glenn York
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = 1907

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 15.84
| area_land_km2            = 15.77
| area_water_km2           = 0.08
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.12
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.09
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.03

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total         = 6903
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_est           = 
| population_density_km2   = 437.85
| population_density_sq_mi = 1134.06
| population_demonym       = Zebulonian

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = −5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = −4
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 322
| coordinates              = {{coord|35|49|50|N|78|18|54|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 27597
| area_code                = [[Area code 919|919]]
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 37-76220<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2406928<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406928}}</ref>
| website                  = http://www.townofzebulon.org/
| footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_footnotes = 
}}

'''Zebulon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|z|ɛ|b|y|u|l|ə|n}} {{respell|ZEB|yoo|luhn}})<ref>{{cite web|title=NC Pronunciation Guide|url=https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/10331495/|publisher=WRAL|accessdate=August 15, 2022}}</ref> is the easternmost town in [[Wake County, North Carolina]], United States. The population was 6,903 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Zebulon town, North Carolina| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> Zebulon is part of the [[Research Triangle]] metropolitan region. In May 2022, Zebulon was ranked North Carolina's second fastest growing town, only behind neighboring [[Wendell, North Carolina|Wendell]].<ref name="May22">{{cite web |last1=Stradling |first1=Richard |title=Wake County again has NC's fastest-growing towns, but maybe not the ones you think |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article261834430.html |website=newsobserver.com |access-date=June 1, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Carolina Mudcats at Five County Stadium.jpg|thumb|left|Five County Stadium in Zebulon]]
In 1906, the Raleigh and [[Pamlico Sound]] Railroad Company decided to bring the railroad through the Whitley and Horton family farms in eastern Wake County. Edgar B. Barbee and Falconer B. Arendell organized the Zebulon Company for development that same year. The company received its charter on February 15, 1906. Shortly thereafter, they began to divide up their {{convert|49|acre}} into lots, blocks, streets and avenues. On February 16, 1907, the town was officially recognized as Zebulon, North Carolina. The town was named after [[Zebulon Baird Vance]], the [[Governor of North Carolina]] during the [[American Civil War]]. The first election was held in May 1907, and the first elected mayor was Thomas J. Horton.

In 1997 Zebulon annexed the neighboring community of Wakefield, increasing the total area inside the corporate limits to {{convert|2115|acre|km2}} and the population to 3,908. The population had grown to 6,903 by 2020.<ref name="Census 2020"/>

There are three properties in Zebulon listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]: [[Wakelon School]], [[Bennett Bunn Plantation]], and the [[George and Neva Barbee House]].

==Law and government==
Zebulon follows the [[council-manager government]] form of government, in which the elected governing body is responsible for legislative functions such as establishing policy, passing local ordinances, adopting annual budget, and developing an overall town vision. The council then appoints a professional town manager who is responsible for overseeing administrative operations, implementing policies, and advising the council.

Zebulon is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners and a mayor. Three members are elected in one year and the two remaining members and the mayor are elected two years later. The mayor, as the principal elected official of the town, provides leadership to the governing body and the community and presides over Board meetings.

As the legislative body of Zebulon, the Board's primary responsibilities include establishing town policies and adopting an annual budget. Local municipality budgets for each fiscal year must be adopted by June 30. The budget for the [[fiscal year]] runs from July 1 to June 30.<ref>[http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Town_Gov.htm Town Government<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Current Board members are Shannon Baxter, Quentin Miles, Beverly Wall Clark, Amber Davis, Jessica Harrison, and Mayor Glenn York.<ref>[http://www.townofzebulon.org/government.php?cat=28 Board of Commissioners<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The Town Manager is Gilbert Todd, Jr.<ref>{{cite web |title=Administration |url=https://www.townofzebulon.org/administration |website=Town of Zebulon |access-date=January 8, 2025}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|10.8|sqkm|disp=flip}}, of which {{convert|10.7|sqkm|disp=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.06|sqkm|disp=flip|2}}, or 0.57%, is water.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Zebulon town, North Carolina| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref>

Zebulon is located in the northeast central region of North Carolina, where the [[Piedmont (United States)|North American Piedmont]] and [[Atlantic Coastal Plain]] regions meet. This area is known as the "[[Atlantic Seaboard fall line|Fall Line]]" because it marks the elevation inland at which waterfalls begin to appear in creeks and rivers. Its central Piedmont location situates Zebulon about three hours by car west of [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina]], and four hours east of the [[Great Smoky Mountains]].

Zebulon is located on an elevated portion of land between the [[Little River (Neuse River)|Little River]] and Moccasin Creek.<ref>[http://www.zebnc.com/about_zebulon/index.html Zebulon North Carolina - The Town of Friendly People<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Climate===
Zebulon has a cool [[subtropical climate]] or warm temperate climate, with moderate temperatures in the spring, and fall. Summers are typically hot with high [[humidity]]. Winter highs generally range in the low 50s[[Fahrenheit|°F]] (10 to 13 [[Celsius|°C]]) with lows in the low-to-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2&nbsp;°C), although an occasional 60&nbsp;°F (15&nbsp;°C) or warmer winter day is not uncommon. Spring and fall days usually reach the low-to-mid 70s°F (low 20s°C), with lows at night in the lower 50s°F (10 to 14&nbsp;°C). Summer daytime highs often reach the upper 80s to low 90s°F (29 to 35&nbsp;°C). The rainiest months are July and August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-25 |title=North Carolina - Humid, Temperate, Coastal {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Carolina-state/Climate |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 482
|1920= 953
|1930= 860
|1940= 1070
|1950= 1378
|1960= 1534
|1970= 1839
|1980= 2055
|1990= 3173
|2000= 4046
|2010= 4433
|2020= 6903
|estyear=2023
|estimate=9401
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-POP-37.xlsx|date=May 16, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
|align=left
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

===2020 Census===
Similar to other towns in eastern Wake County, the town recorded a population growth of 13% in the [[2020 United States census]], making it the second fasting growing town in the state.<ref name="May22"/> In August 2023, the town was reported to have reached 10,000 population, according to an estimate by the town's planning department.<ref name="Browne">{{cite web |last1=Browne |first1=Laura |title=Zebulon population hits 10,000, Planning Department says |url=https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/wakeweekly/zebulon-population-hits-10000-planning-department-says/ |website=restorationnewsmedia.com |publisher=[[The Wake Weekly]] |date=August 17, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> The sudden growth was attributed to its relative affordability in living, incentives for new businesses, and an increased focus on development and expansion.<ref name="Browne"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Perchick |first1=Michael |title=Zebulon works to enhance business community as population increases: Boomtown |url=https://abc11.com/zebulon-growth-population-business-in-boomtown/13465266/ |publisher=[[WTVD]] |date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Zebulon racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3776220&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 20, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,554
| 37.0%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,741
| 39.71%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 29
| 0.42%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 78
| 1.13%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 364
| 5.27%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 1,137
| 16.47%
|}
{{clear}}

==Economy==
[[File:Whitley Furniture Galleries main building, Zebulon NC.jpg|thumb|200px|right|alt=A gray corner-building with white and red trim on top|The main building of [[Whitley Furniture Galleries]] in 2022]]
The town's largest employers include [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[US Foods]], [[BB&T]], [[Nomaco]], and [[Vinventions]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Economic Development |url=https://www.townofzebulon.org/departments/planning/economic-development |publisher=Town of Zebulon |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> but is home to a number of [[small businesses]] as well. Until closing in 2022, [[Whitley Furniture Galleries]] located downtown was historically one of the largest employers in the town and had the largest furniture stock in the [[Research Triangle]] upon closing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dolder |first1=Lars |title=NC furniture store closing after over a century and 4 generations of family business |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article257557808.html |publisher=[[The News & Observer]] |date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=December 21, 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> [[Olde Raleigh Distillery]], opened in 2021, was awarded "Best Micro Distillery Whiskey" in the U.S. during the 2023 [[International Whisky Competition]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 International Whisky Competition Official Results |url=https://www.whiskycompetition.com/2024-results |work=[[International Whisky Competition]] |year=2023 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107081133/https://www.whiskycompetition.com/2024-results |url-status=live}}</ref> [[MacLellan Bagpipes]], opened in 2023, became the only business in North America to make, sell, and teach how to play bagpipes, and one of the few locations offering custom bagpipes in the world.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shaffer |first1=Josh |title=How this world-class bagpipe maker came to set up shop in a highly unlikely spot |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article271332502.html |work=[[The News & Observer]] |date=January 23, 2023 |access-date=21 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221040802/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article271332502.html |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In addition to these businesses, [[WakeMed]] operates the Zebulon/Wendell Outpatient and Skilled Nursing Facility, a satellite facility for the hospital's primary location in Raleigh.<ref>[http://www.wakemed.org/body.cfm?id=56 WakeMed Zebulon/Wendell Outpatient and Skilled Nursing Facility<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In rural areas of the town, [[agriculture]] is still an important aspect of the local economy with products such as cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn and soybeans being grown.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

==Education==
The town is home to four [[State school|public schools]]: including Corinth-Holders Elementary, Wakelon Elementary, Zebulon Elementary, Zebulon Middle. There is also one [[charter school]], being [[East Wake Academy]] (K-12), and one [[private school]], being Heritage Christian Academy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search for Schools and Colleges {{!}} Zebulon |url=https://nces.ed.gov/globallocator/index.asp?search=1&State=NC&city=Zebulon&zipcode=27597&School=1&PrivSchool=1&miles=15&CS=6B4896DB |publisher=[[National Center for Education Statistics]] |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref>

Higher education is provided by [[Wake Technical Community College]] {{cn|date=March 2024}}

==Parks and recreation==
The town has six public parks and a community center. The largest park, Zebulon Community Park, contains a number of trails and playing fields.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parks & Facilities |url=https://www.townofzebulon.org/parks-facilities |publisher=Town of Zebulon |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Other parks include:
* [[Little River Dam and Park]] – natural park situated along the Little River with a [[dam]] and waterfall; picnic areas and hiking trails
* Gill Street Park – basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas
* Wakelon Elementary School Park – two multipurpose fields, picnic shelter
* Whitley Park – picnic areas, two playgrounds, tennis courts, benches and various shelters
* Zebulon Elementary School Park – two baseball fields, picnic shelter, soccer field, playground, grass volleyball court

==Transportation==
===Passenger===
* Air: Zebulon is served by [[Raleigh-Durham International Airport]], which is located in northwestern Wake County off [[Interstate 40|I-40]] and [[Interstate 540 (North Carolina)|I-540]].
* Interstate highway: Zebulon is located halfway between [[Interstate 95 in North Carolina|I-95]] and I-40. I-95 is accessible by driving east on [[U.S. Route 64|US 64]]. I-40 is accessible by driving west on US 64/264 ([[Knightdale Bypass]]) to the [[Interstate 440 (North Carolina)|I-440 beltline]] and heading south.
* Zebulon is not served directly by passenger trains. [[Amtrak]] has stops in Raleigh, [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]] and [[Selma, North Carolina|Selma]].
* Local bus: The [[Triangle Transit Authority]] operates buses that serve the region and connect to municipal bus systems in Raleigh, [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]], and [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]].

===Roads===
* [[U.S. Route 64|US 64]] and [[U.S. Route 264|US 264]] split in Zebulon. East of Zebulon they provide access to the [[Outer Banks]], US 64 via [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]], and US 264 via [[Wilson, North Carolina|Wilson]]. West of Zebulon the two roads remain merged as the [[Knightdale Bypass]] which connects eastern Wake County to Raleigh. There is also a Business US 64 which connects Zebulon, Wendell, and [[Knightdale, North Carolina|Knightdale]] and represents several former alignments of US 64. Interstate 540 also connects 64 Business, 264 Bypass, I-440 and I-40.
* [[North Carolina Highway 96|NC 96]] is a primary north–south highway through the town. It connects Zebulon to [[Rolesville, North Carolina|Rolesville]] to the north and [[Selma, North Carolina|Selma]] to the south.
* [[North Carolina Highway 39|NC 39]] is another north–south highway that connects Selma to [[Louisburg, North Carolina|Louisburg]] and [[Henderson, North Carolina|Henderson]]. It passes to the east of Zebulon near Five County Stadium.
* [[North Carolina Highway 97|NC 97]] is a former alignment of US 64. It parallels US 64 and connects several small unincorporated communities along its route.

==Notable people==
* [[Clifton Daniel]], editor of the ''New York Times'' and son-in-law of President [[Harry Truman]]<ref>[https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photograph-records/93-154 E. C. Daniel in his Zebulon, North Carolina Drugstore]. ''trumanlibrary.gov''. Retrieved October 29, 2020.</ref>
* [[Nick Driver]], singer-songwriter<ref>[https://www.bombshellbeer.com/Home/ctl/Details/Mid/1022/ItemID/3721?ContainerSrc=[L]Containers/Bombshell/Side-Solid&SkinSrc=[L]Skins/bombshell/base-skin Nick Driver > Bombshell Beer Company]. Retrieved July 16, 2020.</ref>
* [[Marty Gearheart]], member of the [[West Virginia House of Delegates]]<ref>(May 5, 2018). [Candidate Profile: Marty Gearheart, U.S House of Representatives, 3rd District]. ''The Register~Herald''. Retrieved July 16, 2020.</ref>
* [[J. T. Knott]], politician who served as a [[Wake County Board of Commissioners|Wake County Commissioner]]
* [[Jim Pearce (baseball)|Jim Pearce]], former [[MLB]] player for the [[History of the Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] and [[Cincinnati Redlegs]]<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pearcji01.shtml Jim Pearce Stats]. ''Baseball-Reference''. Retrieved October 29, 2020.</ref>
* [[Johnny Perry]], professional [[Strength athletics|strongman]] competitor<ref>[https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/103462/ Former Pro Wrestler, Strongest Man Competitor Found Dead]. ''WRAL.com''. Retrieved October 29, 2020.</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Wakelon School.JPG|Zebulon town Hall
File:Zebulon, North Carolina 02.jpg|''Welcome to Downtown Zebulon'' Sign
File:Town of Zebulon Bench.jpg|town of Zebulon Bench
File:Norfolk & Southern Railway Station, Zebulon, N.C..jpg|Historical: Norfolk & Southern Rail Station
File:Signs on store window advertising sales during tobacco auction time in Wake County. Zebulon, North Carolina.tif|Historical: Downtown Tobacco auction Ad
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.townofzebulon.org/ town of Zebulon official website]
* [http://www.easternwakenews.com/ ''Eastern Wake News''], local newspaper
* [https://greyareanews.com/ ''The Grey Area newspaper''], local newspaper
* [http://www.zebulonchamber.org/ ''Zebulon Chamber Of Commerce''], local business organization

{{Wake County, North Carolina}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Zebulon, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1906]]
[[Category:1906 establishments in North Carolina]]