Surveys show the North Carolina Triangle as a top place to live, work and play in both the state and the nation. The press praises the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area’s livability in everything from atmosphere and culture to education and employment for all corners of the thriving metro. Locations getting attention now more than ever, Southern Wake County and neighboring Johnston County make great headlines. If you have not gotten to know this Triangle area, it’s time to read all about it!
Here’s the scoop on Wake County’s southernmost part: it touts some of the Triangle’s best towns including Holly Springs, Apex, Fuquay Varina and Garner. With well-planned communities of beautiful neighborhoods and a wealth of amenities, Southern Wake stands out in many categories. The area is just a stone’s throw away from the world-class resources of the Triangle’s larger cities and Research Triangle Park; however, proximity is just one of its many perks.
Holly Springs: Biotech hub with small-town appeal
With some 50,000 residents, Holly Springs has nearly doubled in size in the last 10 years. The popular city for young professionals and families with children features a median resident age of 36.8 years; of the overall citizenry, a whopping 57.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Named for abundant freshwater springs, today’s Holly Springs is making a name for itself in global biomanufacturing and biotechnology. A case in point is the international company Genentech’s recent announcement of a $700 million investment in Holly Springs for a new high-volume fill/finish manufacturing facility. The
Swiss corporation joins an impressive list in Holly Springs’ life science sector, companies including CSL Seqirus, FUJIFILM, Diosynth Biotechnologies, and Amgen.
The Holly Springs Cultural Center, HollyFest, 300+ acres of parklands, greenways and paths, restaurants and breweries aplenty and the impressive title of Safest City in North Carolina are among the reasons to consider Holly Springs for your next home.
Garner: All-American city with authentic character
All-American City Garner is only 10 minutes from Downtown Raleigh. With a population of nearly 40,000, this Southern Wake city has a refreshingly small-town genuineness. It’s a place where downhome restaurants like Big Ed’s Garner and Angie’s Restaurant blend with the international flavors of El Dorado Mexican Restaurant and Alexander’s Mediterranean Cuisine. The special editions of the Garner Social District, Garner Performing Arts Center (host to the Towne Players of Garner), the 64-acre Lake Benson Park, Zin Yoga Studio &; Wine Lounge and Full Bloom Coffee Shop are among the venues giving this circa 19th Century town 21st Century appeal.
Apex: Historic roots and modern innovation
The town of Apex, population 75,000+, celebrates the railway foundation that helped make the town what it is today throughout its historic downtown. The 1914 Apex Union Depot, today home to the Apex Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce, is the centerpiece of the Apex Historic District. Visitors can step back in time at the North Carolina Railroad Museum in Apex and experience a train ride on a restored historic steam engine. The pedestrian-friendly downtown is a rainbow of colorful shops, boutiques and restaurants. Eat like a local at Scratch Kitchen and Taproom, Anna’s Pizzeria and the historic gas station turned brewery and eatery, TapStation.
SmartAsset named Apex #7 Most Livable Small City in America in 2024. The very educated, younger population of Apex—60% have bachelor’s degrees and higher and the median age is 35.9—fuels key industries and businesses, including data storage, robotics, large-scale retail and more.
Fuquay-Varina: Community spirit and vibrant events
Fuquay-Varina is double the fun thanks to the 1963 blending of its two namesake towns. Noted in the past for varied agriculture and its mineral springs, the modern day mid-sized city is known for its attractive real estate, inviting green spaces—17 parks over 30 acres—and hometown spirit that builds community and comradery among residents.
The essence of Fuquay-Varina comes out in the monthly First Friday events, featuring live music, fun activities for all ages and local shopping with stores open late. The Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina concert series, annual Food Truck Rodeo, Ice Cream Social, Celebrate Fuquay Varina Festival and a calendar chock-full of year-round events keep Wake County’s southernmost city hopping around the clock. Scored by Niche as one of North Carolina’s Best Suburbs overall, particularly among families and young professionals, the city of 43,000 residents has a median age of 37. The workforce, 41% of whom hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, have excellent local job choices in the advanced
manufacturing, education, finance and retail sectors.
Johnston County: North Carolina’s Fastest-Growing County
Burgeoning Johnston County has been a North Carolina newsmaker in recent years due to its picturesque landscape, affordability and for being close to the Triangle yet away from the everyday hustle and bustle. This character-filled county is a page-turning feature story of small towns and big surprises.
Johnston County is home to 11 municipalities, Archer Lodge, Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton, Selma, Smithfield and Wilson’s Mills, and additional townships and unincorporated communities.
A mixture of mid-sized cities and small towns, crossroads and countrysides, Johnston County has nearly 250,000 residents—and rising. With an increase in population between 2019-2023 at a record 19%, Johnston ranks as the fastest-growing county in the state in the last 5 years. New infrastructure helps explain the trends. Though good connectivity via I-40, I-95, I-42, NC 55 and more has been constant for many years, the I-540 extension has made commuting from the southeast even easier.
Tourism trails reveal the real Johnston County and interestingly punctuate “JoCo.” The Civil War Carolina Campaign Driving Trail leads visitors to Bentonville, the small township that was the site of the largest battle of the Civil War. History comes alive through annual re-enactments and exhibits at The Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.
The Beer, Wine and Shine Trail is a curated trek of local breweries, wineries, and distilleries that traverses many towns and includes stops such as Broadslab Distillery in Benson, Deep River Brewing Company near Clayton and Hinnant Family Vineyard in Pine Level.
History buffs will enjoy several heritage trails in the county including the Smithfield Walking Tour’s 19 featured stops. The JoCo Mural Art Trail traverses many towns and beautifully highlights the county’s people, places, events and industries. JoCo also features four NCDOT-adopted bike routes, two of which connect to the NC Mountain to Sea trail. Howell Woods Learning Center in Four Oaks affords visitors hiking, horseback, biking, fishing and camping opportunities as well as environmental education. The Neuse River Blueway and urban linear parks like the Clayton River Walk Greenway and the
Buffalo Creek Greenway in Smithfield top off JoCo’s exhaustive trail list.
Kenley offers agricultural history at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum and race action at Southern National Motorsports Park. Smithfield boasts the Ava Gardner Museum and the actress’ namesake annual festival, the Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival and Carolina Premium Outlets, “Eastern North Carolina’s premier shopping destination.”
Benson promotes the circa-1949 Benson Mule Days, packed with rodeos, mule-pulling contests and a real hometown parade, the Benson Museum of Local History and Galot Motorsports Park as big attractions. Selma celebrates the past with a multitude of antique stores and railway exhibits and memorabilia at its circa 1924 Historic Union Station, fully restores in 2002.
Live theater and performances are yet another option; Live @The Rudy, Neuse Little Theatre and The Clayton Center, are among Johnston County exclusives. Don’t miss nearby Temple Theatre in Sanford. Ranked in N.C.’s top 5 for conditions and a Golf Digest 4.5-star layout, The Neuse Country Club golf course in Clayton is one of JoCo’s six acclaimed gold courses.
