Zebulon, North Carolina Facts for Kids

Zebulon (/ˈzɛbjulən/ zeb-YOO-luhn) is the easternmost town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 6,903 at the 2020 census. 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.

History
Geography
- Climate
Demographics
- 2020 Census
Economy
Education
Parks and recreation
Transportation
- Passenger
- Roads
Notable people
Gallery
See also

History

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 49 acres (20 ha) 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 2,115 acres (8.56 km²) and the population to 3,908. The population had grown to 6,903 by 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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.8 km²), of which 4.1 square miles (10.7 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.06 km²), or 0.57%, is water.

Zebulon is located in the northeast central region of North Carolina, where the North American Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions meet. This area is known as the "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 and Moccasin Creek.

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°F (10 to 13 °C) with lows in the low-to-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2 °C), although an occasional 60 °F (15 °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 °C). Summer daytime highs often reach the upper 80s to low 90s°F (29 to 35 °C). The rainiest months are July and August.

Demographics

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

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. In August 2023, the town was reported to have reached 10,000 population, according to an estimate by the town's planning department. The sudden growth was attributed to its relative affordability in living, incentives for new businesses, and an increased focus on development and expansion.

Zebulon racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	2,554	37.0%
Black or African American (non-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

The main building of Whitley Furniture Galleries in 2022

The town's largest employers include GlaxoSmithKline, US Foods, BB&T, Nomaco, Vinventions. 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.

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. 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.

Education

The town is home to four 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.

Higher education is provided by Wake Technical Community College

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. 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 I-40 and I-540.
Interstate highway: Zebulon is located halfway between I-95 and I-40. I-95 is accessible by driving east on US 64. I-40 is accessible by driving west on US 64/264 (Knightdale Bypass) to the I-440 beltline and heading south.
Zebulon is not served directly by passenger trains. Amtrak has stops in Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Selma.
Local bus: The Triangle Transit Authority operates buses that serve the region and connect to municipal bus systems in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Roads

US 64 and US 264 split in Zebulon. East of Zebulon they provide access to the Outer Banks, US 64 via Rocky Mount, and US 264 via 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 and represents several former alignments of US 64. Interstate 540 also connects 64 Business, 264 Bypass, I-440 and I-40.
NC 96 is a primary north–south highway through the town. It connects Zebulon to Rolesville to the north and Selma to the south.
NC 39 is another north–south highway that connects Selma to Louisburg and Henderson. It passes to the east of Zebulon near Five County Stadium.
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
Nick Driver, singer-songwriter
Marty Gearheart, member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
Jim Pearce, former MLB player for the Washington Senators and Cincinnati Redlegs
Johnny Perry, professional strongman competitor