Zebulon, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Zebulon, North Carolina
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto = "The Town of Friendly People"

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Zebulon, North Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name2 = Wake, Johnston
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Robert Matheny
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1907

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 8.4
area_land_km2 = 8.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.2
area_land_sq_mi = 3.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 4329
population_density_km2 = 483.0
population_density_sq_mi = 1250.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 98
elevation_ft = 322
latd = 35 |latm = 49 |lats = 32 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 19 |longs = 0 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 27597
area_code = 919
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-76220GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0997745GR|3
website = http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/
footnotes =

Zebulon is the eastern-most town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. In 2006, the population was estimated to be 4,329. [ [http://www.city-data.com/city/Zebulon-North-Carolina.html Zebulon, North Carolina (NC) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders ] ] Zebulon is part of the Research Triangle metropolitan region. The regional name originated after the 1959 creation of the Research Triangle Park, located midway between the cities of Raleigh and Durham. The Research Triangle region encompasses the U.S. Census Bureau's Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of Raleigh-Durham-Cary. The estimated population of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary CSA was 1,565,223 as of July 1, 2006, with the Raleigh-Cary Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) portion estimated at 994,551 residents.cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CBSA-EST2006-01) | format = CSV | work = 2006 Population Estimates | publisher = United States Census Bureau, Population Division | date = 2007-04-05 | accessdate = 2007-04-05]

Five County Stadium, home to the Carolina Mudcats minor league baseball team, is located in Zebulon.

History

In 1906 the Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad Company decided to bring the railroad through the Whitley and Horton family farms in western 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 forty-nine acres 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.

Ninety years after its incorporation, Zebulon annexed the neighbor community of Wakefield. This most recent annexation, which took place on December 31, 1997, increased the total acreage inside the corporate limits to convert|2115|acre|km2 and the population to 3,908. In the year 2000 the population has grown to 4,046. [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/History.htm History ] ]

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 has a Council-manager government. Under this system the citizens elect a mayor and five council members as the town’s governing body. The Board then appoints the Town Manager who serves at the discretion of the Board. Board members are elected to four-year terms. Three of the 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 each year. The budget for the fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Town_Gov.htm Town Government ] ]

Current Board members include Don Bumgarner (Mayor Pro Tem), R. Dale Beck, Beverly Wall Clark, Roy Collins and Curtis Strickland. The Town Mananger is Rick Hardin. [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Departments.htm Departments ] ] [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Board.htm Board of Commissioners ] ]

Geography

Zebulon is located at coor dms|35|49|32|N|78|19|0|W|city (35.825523, -78.316675)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.4 km²).None of the area is covered with 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 west of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, by car and four hours east of the Great Smoky Mountains of the Appalachian range.

Zebulon is located on an elevated portion of land between the Little River and Moccasin Creek. [ [http://www.zebnc.com/about_zebulon/index.html Zebulon North Carolina - The Town of Friendly People ] ]

Climate

Zebulon enjoys a moderate subtropical climate, with moderate temperatures in the spring, fall, and winter. 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

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,046 people, 1,551 households, and 1,059 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,250.9 people per square mile (483.6/km²). There were 1,661 housing units at an average density of 513.6/sq mi (198.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 53.66% White, 39.74% African American, 0.57% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 4.00% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.60% of the population.

There were 1,551 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $43,986. Males had a median income of $31,199 versus $24,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,026. About 12.8% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Zebulon's largest employer is GlaxoSmithKline, which operates a facility in the town and employs over 1,500 people. Other major employers in the town are US Food Services Inc., Nomacore LLC, Nomaco, Inc., and Devil Dog. [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Demographics.htm Demographics ] ] 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. [ [http://www.wakemed.org/body.cfm?id=56 WakeMed Zebulon/Wendell Outpatient and Skilled Nursing Facility ] ] 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

Primary and secondary education

Zebulon is home to four public schools, one charter schooland one private school. These schools include: Wakelon Elementary School, Zebulon Elementary School, Corinth-Holders Elementary School, Zebulon Middle School, East Wake Academy and Heritage Chrisian Academy located off of Mack Todd Road. High school students attend nearby East Wake High School located in Wendell. The Wake County Public School System administers all of these schools except Corinth-Holders, which because of its location in Johnston County, is administered by the Johnston County Public School System. Heritage Christian Academy, administered by Heritage Baptist Church, is also located in Zebulon. [ [http://www.hca-nc.org Heritage Christian Academy website] ]

Higher education

Higher education is provided by Wake Technical Community College or by other educational institutions in Wake County such as North Carolina State University, Shaw University and Meredith College.

Library

The Wake County Public Library System operates a branch facility in Zebulon. [ [http://www.wakegov.com/locations/library/zebulonbranchlibrary.htm WakeGOV.com - Zebulon Branch Library ] ]

Parks and recreation

*Little River Park - natural park situated along the Little River with a dam and waterfall; picnic areas and hiking trails
*Zebulon Community Park - 47 acres and includes two basketball courts, athletic fields, walking trails, championship disc golf course, picnic shelters, playground, and fitness stations
*Whitley Park - picnic areas, playground, tennis courts, benches and various shelters
*Gill Street Park - basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas [ [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/Parks.htm Parks in Zebulon ] ]

Transportation

Passenger

*Air: Zebulon is served by Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which is located in northwestern Wake county off of 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 both Raleigh 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; 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.
*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 west 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.zebulon.nc.us/ Zebulon official website]
* [http://www.easternwakenews.com/ Local newspaper]