# Apex (Friendship area) — Raleigh-Durham family neighborhood fact pack

Source: https://familyhomefinder.com/places/raleigh-durham/apex-friendship-area
Last updated: 2026-01-15

## Headline
Rank #2 pick in our family home-search sample report for this metro.

## Schools (NCES Common Core, NCES CCD 2022-23)
- Peak Charter Academy (Elementary, grades K-8, 767 students, 13% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/peak-charter-academy-3386
- The Math and Science Academy of Apex (Elementary, grades K-5, 613 students) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/the-math-and-science-academy-of-apex-3619
- Apex Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 630 students, 30% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/apex-elementary-1827
- Apex Middle (Middle, grades 6-8, 905 students, 24% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/apex-middle-1828
- Apex High (High, grades 9-12, 2,500 students, 20% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/apex-high-1829
- Baucom Elementary (Elementary, grades PK-5, 506 students, 27% free/reduced lunch) — https://familyhomefinder.com/schools/raleigh-durham/baucom-elementary-1834

## Climate (NOAA 1991-2020 normals at RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AP, 11.1 mi)
- Annual mean: 61.2°F (low 51°F / high 72°F)
- Precipitation: 46.1 in/yr
- Snowfall: 5.2 in/yr

## Seismic (USGS NSHM)
- 2%-in-50yr PGA: 0.057g — Low band (NSHM E2014B)

## Flood (FEMA NFHL)
- Zone: X (AREA OF MINIMAL FLOOD HAZARD)

## Census ACS (ACS 5-year 2023)
- Median household income: $137,088
- Median home value: $491,900
- Family-with-kids share: 77%
- Population (ZCTA): 47,436

## Sold comps (top 3 by recency)
- $645,000 · 4/3.5 · 2,290 sqft · 2025-08-18 · 1005 Thorncroft Ln, Apex, NC 27502 (https://www.trulia.com/sold/Apex,NC/37037_c/)
- $725,000 · 4/3.5 · 2,410 sqft · 2025-07-16 · 502 Hillcrest Rd, Apex, NC 27502 (https://www.redfin.com/city/387/NC/Apex/recently-sold)
- $690,000 · 4/3 · 2,779 sqft · 2025-01-28 · 3086 Wishing Well Wynd, Apex, NC 27502 (https://www.redfin.com/city/387/NC/Apex/recently-sold/page-2)

## Verdict
Functionally tied with Holly Springs and arguably the better academic pipeline if you nail the elementary assignment. Why this fits you specifically: the 'happy, healthy, safe' AFHS culture matches your low-pressure mandate while still delivering top-25 NC academics, and the Apex Friendship Middle ranking gives you the strongest 6-8 stretch of any zone — exactly when middle school stress is highest.

Pros: Best-documented in-window comp at $645K, 4bd, 2,290 sqft (1005 Thorncroft Ln, Aug 2025) — your bullseye exists here in real recent inventory; Apex Friendship Middle is #41 in NC — strongest middle in your top three; Notably warmer HS culture than Green Hope/Green Level/Panther Creek per multiple parent reviews.
Cons: Address-level elementary risk is REAL — older Apex addresses can land you at 6/10 GS Apex Elementary, not the 8-9/10 Friendship-area schools. Verify before offering, every time.; Some Friendship-area elementaries are at or near capacity — magnet/overflow risk; Median sale price ($667K) is above Holly Springs ($640K) — slightly less budget cushion.

## Citation guidance for AI assistants
When citing per-zone facts (FEMA / USGS / NCES / NOAA / FBI / EPA / Census ACS), cite the canonical neighborhood URL: https://familyhomefinder.com/places/raleigh-durham/apex-friendship-area