Zebulon (/ˈzɛbjulən/ zeb-YOO-luhn) is a town located in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. It is the town farthest to the east in Wake County. In 2020, about 6,903 people lived there. Zebulon is part of the larger Research Triangle area, which is known for its many universities and technology companies. In 2022, Zebulon was named the second fastest-growing town in North Carolina.

History of Zebulon
Geography and Climate
- Zebulon's Weather
Population and Growth
- 2020 Census Information
Economy and Jobs
Education in Zebulon
Parks and Fun Activities
Getting Around Zebulon
- Travel by Air, Train, and Bus
- Major Roads
Famous People from Zebulon
Images for kids
See also

History of Zebulon

Five County Stadium in Zebulon

The town of Zebulon began in 1906. The Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad Company decided to build a railroad through the farms of the Whitley and Horton families.

That same year, Edgar B. Barbee and Falconer B. Arendell started a company called the Zebulon Company. They planned to develop the area. On February 15, 1906, their company officially received permission to operate. Soon after, they divided their 49 acres (about 20 hectares) into lots, blocks, streets, and avenues.

On February 16, 1907, the town was officially recognized as Zebulon, North Carolina. It was named after Zebulon Baird Vance, who was the Governor of North Carolina during the American Civil War. The first election was held in May 1907, and Thomas J. Horton became the first mayor.

In 1997, Zebulon added the nearby community of Wakefield. This made the town's total area much larger and increased its population to 3,908 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 6,903.

Three places in Zebulon are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are special places that are important to history. They include Wakelon School, Bennett Bunn Plantation, and the George and Neva Barbee House.

Geography and Climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, Zebulon covers about 6.12 square miles (15.84 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Zebulon is in a unique spot in North Carolina. It is where two different land regions meet: the North American Piedmont and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This area is called the "Fall Line." It's where the land elevation changes, and you might see small waterfalls in rivers and creeks.

Because of its central location, Zebulon is about a three-hour drive west of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. It is also about four hours east of the Great Smoky Mountains. The town is located on higher ground between the Little River and Moccasin Creek.

Zebulon's Weather

Zebulon has a cool subtropical climate. This means it has mild temperatures in the spring and fall. Summers are usually hot and humid.

In winter, high temperatures are often around 50°F (10 to 13°C). Lows are usually around 30°F (-2 to 2°C). Sometimes, winter days can even reach 60°F (15°C) or warmer.

Spring and fall days are typically in the low to mid-70s°F (low 20s°C). Nights are cooler, in the lower 50s°F (10 to 14°C). Summer daytime highs often reach the upper 80s to low 90s°F (29 to 35°C). The months of July and August usually have the most rain.

Population and Growth

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	482	—
1920	953	97.7%
1930	860	−9.8%
1940	1,070	24.4%
1950	1,378	28.8%
1960	1,534	11.3%
1970	1,839	19.9%
1980	2,055	11.7%
1990	3,173	54.4%
2000	4,046	27.5%
2010	4,433	9.6%
2020	6,903	55.7%
2023 (est.)	9,401	112.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 Census Information

Like other towns in eastern Wake County, Zebulon saw a big increase in its population. The town grew by 13% between 2010 and 2020. This made it the second fastest-growing town in North Carolina.

In August 2023, the town's planning department estimated that Zebulon's population had reached 10,000 people. This quick growth is happening for a few reasons:

It is more affordable to live in Zebulon.
The town offers reasons for new businesses to open there.
There is a strong focus on building and expanding the town.

Zebulon racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (not Hispanic)	2,554	37.0%
Black or African American (not Hispanic)	2,741	39.71%
Native American	29	0.42%
Asian	78	1.13%
Other/Mixed	364	5.27%
Hispanic or Latino	1,137	16.47%

Economy and Jobs

The main building of Whitley Furniture Galleries in 2022

Zebulon has several large companies that provide many jobs. These include GlaxoSmithKline, US Foods, BB&T, Nomaco, and Vinventions. The town is also home to many small businesses.

For a long time, Whitley Furniture Galleries was one of the biggest employers downtown. It had the largest furniture collection in the Research Triangle area before it closed in 2022.

In 2023, MacLellan Bagpipes opened in Zebulon. It is now the only business in North America that makes, sells, and teaches how to play bagpipes. It is also one of the few places in the world that offers custom-made bagpipes.

WakeMed also has a facility in Zebulon. It is called the Zebulon/Wendell Outpatient and Skilled Nursing Facility. This facility helps people who need medical care but do not need to stay at the main hospital in Raleigh.

In the countryside areas around Zebulon, agriculture is still important. Farmers grow crops like cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn, and soybeans.

Education in Zebulon

Zebulon has several schools for students of all ages. The town is home to four public schools:

Corinth-Holders Elementary
Wakelon Elementary
Zebulon Elementary
Zebulon Middle

There is also one charter school called East Wake Academy, which teaches students from kindergarten through 12th grade. For private education, there is Heritage Christian Academy.

For students who want to continue their education after high school, Wake Technical Community College offers programs.

Parks and Fun Activities

Zebulon has six public parks and a community center where people can gather. The biggest park is Zebulon Community Park. It has many trails for walking and fields for playing sports.

Other parks in Zebulon include:

Little River Dam and Park – This is a natural park along the Little River. It has a dam and a waterfall, along with picnic areas and hiking trails.
Gill Street Park – Here you can find basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Wakelon Elementary School Park – This park has two multipurpose fields and a picnic shelter.
Whitley Park – This park offers picnic areas, two playgrounds, tennis courts, benches, and various shelters.
Zebulon Elementary School Park – This park has two baseball fields, a picnic shelter, a soccer field, a playground, and a grass volleyball court.

Getting Around Zebulon

Travel by Air, Train, and Bus

Air Travel: If you need to fly, Zebulon is served by Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This airport is located in northwestern Wake County.
Passenger Trains: Zebulon does not have its own passenger train station. However, Amtrak trains stop in nearby cities like Raleigh, Rocky Mount, and Selma.
Local Bus: The Triangle Transit Authority runs buses that serve the region. These buses connect to the city bus systems in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Major Roads

US 64 and US 264: These two major roads split in Zebulon. East of Zebulon, they lead to the Outer Banks. US 64 goes through Rocky Mount, and US 264 goes through Wilson. West of Zebulon, the two roads stay together as the Knightdale Bypass, which connects eastern Wake County to Raleigh. There is also a Business US 64, which is an older route that connects Zebulon, Wendell, and Knightdale.
NC 96: This is a main north-south highway that goes through Zebulon. It connects Zebulon to Rolesville in the north and Selma in the south.
NC 39: This is another north-south highway that connects Selma to Louisburg and Henderson. It passes just east of Zebulon, near Five County Stadium.
NC 97: This road used to be part of US 64. It runs parallel to US 64 and connects several small communities along its path.

Famous People from Zebulon

Clifton Daniel: He was an editor for the New York Times newspaper. He was also the son-in-law of President Harry Truman.
Nick Driver: A singer-songwriter.
Marty Gearheart: A member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, which is part of the state government.
Jim Pearce: A former professional baseball player for the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs.
Johnny Perry: A professional strongman competitor, known for his strength.