95-568: Knightdale is a town in Wake County, North Carolina , United States. As of the 2020 census , Knightdale has a population of 19,435, up from 11,401 in 2010 . The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the town's population to be 17,843, as of July 1, 2019. Knightdale's population grew 10.4% from 2010 to 2013, making it the second fastest-growing community in the Research Triangle region for that time period. Named for Henry Haywood Knight,
190-612: A municipal water system was installed. Beginning in the 1960s the majority of new businesses in Knightdale began locating along US 64 . With the addition of the Mingo Creek sewer outfall in the late 1980s, development on the south side of US 64 began. Subdivisions such as Parkside, Planter's Walk and Mingo Creek subdivisions were built, rapidly increasing the town's population. Between 1990 and 2000 Knightdale's population increased from 1,700 to more than 6,000 residents, making it
285-414: A register of deeds , who is responsible for maintaining legal records including property deeds, birth certificates, and marriage licenses. The first professional county manager was hired in 1965. Wake County is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments . For much of the 20th century, Wake County was politically dominated by conservative Democrats , many of them wealthy Raleighites. By
380-462: A conference to discuss an armistice. Several days later, the two generals met at Bennett Place near Durham on April 17, 1865, to begin discussing the terms of what would become the largest surrender of the war. In the 20th century, the average per capita income for the county was of $ 54,988, and the median income for a family was of $ 67,149. In the same period, the per capita income decreased from $ 44,472 to $ 31,579, especially for women. About 7.80% of
475-486: A dog park, a large playground, a splash pad , several soccer fields, a covered exhibition area, an amphitheater for performances, a nine-hole disc golf course, and several large open fields and forested areas. The Mingo Creek Greenway was completed in July 2014. The 3.5 mile, 10-foot wide trail connects Mingo Creek Park in the east to the 33-mile City of Raleigh's Neuse River Trail in the west. The two trails connect over
570-415: A high school degree. The population density was 1,837 people per square mile. There were 2,352 housing units at an average density of 877.4 per square mile (338.8/km). The racial makeup of the town was 50% White , 38.3% African American , 11.4% Hispanic or Latino , 1.7% Asian , 0.6% Native American , 0.01% Pacific Islander , and 3.5% from two or more races. There were 3,754 households, out of which
665-534: A household in the county was $ 54,988, and for a family was $ 67,149. Males had a median income of $ 44,472 versus $ 31,579 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 27,004. About 4.90% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over. In Wake County, 29% of the population is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, 22% are affiliated with
760-497: A household was $ 75,285 in 2011; by comparison, Median income in North Carolina for the same time period was $ 46,291. Per capita income for the town was $ 27,938. For the period 2007-2011, about 5.9% of the population lived below the poverty line ; by comparison, 16.1% of North Carolina residents lived below the poverty line. Among adults age 25 and older, 41.2% had at a bachelor's degree or higher; 93% had earned at least
855-476: A line from Mackeys to Plymouth, and began a car ferry operation across the Albemarle Sound between Edenton and Mackeys (replaced by a 5 mile bridge in 1910). The W&P had been built by the lumber company in 1889 to 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge , became a common carrier in 1901, and was converted to 4 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in ( 1,435 mm ) standard gauge by
950-509: A local Wake County landowner who donated land to found a railroad depot, the town was incorporated in 1927. By the 1960s, the economic center of town migrated from the area around the rail depot to U.S. Highway 64 , which ran north of downtown Knightdale. Since 1990, the community has experienced a significant population boom, getting its own high school in 2004, and a new freeway bypass in 2006. Since 2010, several new shopping centers have sprung up along Business U.S. 64 (Knightdale Boulevard),
1045-429: 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 (16 °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
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#17327870248291140-473: A newly opened pedestrian bridge that spans the Neuse River. Major routes through and near Knightdale include: Wake County, North Carolina Wake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina . As of the 2020 census , its population was 1,129,410, making it North Carolina's most populous county . From July 2005 to July 2006, Wake County was the 9th-fastest growing county in
1235-644: A short distance from Colon on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad main line west to Cumnock . It was leased to the Raleigh and Western Railway, another short line continuing west from Cumnock to Harpers Crossroads , on September 6, 1893. The company entered receivership in 1907 and operations west of Cumnock were suspended in 1908. The Egypt Railroad was reorganized April 1, 1910, as the Sanford and Troy Railroad. The Durham and Charlotte Railroad
1330-592: Is Jessica Day, and current town council members include Latatious Morris (Mayor Pro Tem ), Mark Swan, Stephen Morgan, Ben McDonald, and Steve Evans. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km), all land. Knightdale is located in the northeast central region of North Carolina, where the North American Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions meet. This area
1425-591: Is a 22-mile (35 km) rail trail project that is located in the Research Triangle Park region. Fifteen miles of the trail is located in Wake County and is open to pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians (in non-urban sections), and other non-motorized users. The Capital Area Greenway system has over 100 miles (160 km) of paved walking and biking trails and connects to other systems operated by municipalities and neighboring counties. As of
1520-439: Is a trail system that is located in the southern portion of Knightdale. Knightdale Station Park, adjacent to a large housing development also named Knightdale Station, occupies a large tract of land on the east side of town, across First Avenue from many of the older businesses in the original central business district of Knightdale. The park was opened in three phases, in 2013, 2014, and 2018 and currently features walking trails,
1615-613: Is an institution which serves North Carolina libraries, state government employees, genealogists , and the citizens of North Carolina. There are two locations in Raleigh. Public education in Wake County is administered by the Wake County Public School System , the 15th largest public school district in the country with over 155,000 students. There are 27 high schools, 33 middle schools, 104 elementary schools, and eight specialized schools. In addition, nine charter schools and 31 private schools are located in
1710-700: Is governed by the Wake County Board of Commissioners , coterminous with the Wake County Public School System , with law enforcement provided by the Wake County Sheriff's Department. It is also part of the wider Triangle J Council of Governments , which governs regional planning. Prior to English colonization, present-day Wake County was part of the Tuscarora nation. Wake County was formed in 1770 from parts of Cumberland County , Johnston County , and Orange County . The first courthouse
1805-525: Is home to three state parks: Falls Lake State Recreation Area , Jordan Lake State Recreation Area , and William B. Umstead State Park . Falls Lake Park is located in northern Wake County and contains the 12,000-acre (49 km ) Falls Lake and 26,000 acres (110 km ) of woodlands. Umstead Park is situated between Raleigh and Cary near RDU. Located right off I-40, it is divided into two sections, Crabtree Creek and Reedy Creek, and contains 5,579 acres (22.58 km ) of woodlands. Jordan Lake Park, which
1900-669: Is in Wake Forest, and the Southeastern Free Will Baptist College is located in nearby Wendell. The Wake County Public Library System operates a branch facility, the East Regional Library, in Knightdale. Knightdale is served by two parks and one community center . The Eugene F. Harper Memorial Park is located downtown. The Knightdale Recreation Center is attached to Forestville Elementary's gym. The Knightdale Environmental Park
1995-476: 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 and access to large highways places Knightdale a little over two hours northwest of Wrightsville Beach, NC by car and four hours east of the Great Smoky Mountains . Knightdale has a moderate subtropical climate , with moderate temperatures in
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#17327870248292090-446: Is land and 22.43 square miles (58.1 km ) (2.62%) is water. Wake County 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. As a result, most of Wake County features gently rolling hills that slope eastward toward
2185-539: Is one of the largest such art parks in the country. Located in downtown Raleigh, the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh offers a continuously rotating and updated exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and multimedia. Norfolk Southern Railway (1942%E2%80%931982) The Norfolk Southern Railway ( reporting mark NS ) was the final name of a railroad that ran from Norfolk, Virginia , southwest and west to Charlotte, North Carolina . It
2280-435: Is partially located in Wake County near Apex, contains 13,940-acre (56.4 km ) Jordan Lake and 46,768 acres (189.26 km ) of woodlands. This park is known for being home to bald eagles . There are 152 county parks, city parks, public swimming and public tennis facilities in Wake County. In addition, there are 53 community centers . Notable parks include Pullen Park and Yates Mill Park . The American Tobacco Trail
2375-729: Is served by three healthcare systems: WakeMed Health & Hospitals , UNC Rex Healthcare , and Duke Raleigh Hospital . In addition to WakeMed's Raleigh main campus, the system operates two community hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, a mental health hospital and four outpatient "healthplexes" with full-service ERs in the county. A number of outdoor concert venues regularly host major international touring acts. Among these are Coastal Credit Union Music Park , located in Southeast Raleigh, Red Hat Amphitheater , located in downtown Raleigh, Koka Booth Amphitheatre , located in Cary, and
2470-430: The 2020 census , 1,129,410 people, 419,361 households, and 279,243 families were residing in the county. At the 2018 census estimate , 1,092,776 people, 421,265 households, and 276,363 families resided in the county. The population density was 1,308.72 people per square mile (505.30 people/km ). The 458,953 housing units had an average density of 311 units per square mile (120 units/km ). The racial makeup of
2565-612: The Atlantic Ocean . An extension parallel to the oceanfront took the line north from Virginia Beach to Cape Henry in 1902, but two years later the N&;S bought the competing Chesapeake Transit Company which had a line from Norfolk to Cape Henry via the Lynnhaven Inlet area and hence to Virginia Beach, and abandoned its duplicative trackage between Cape Henry and Virginia Beach. The importance of passenger rail service to
2660-708: The Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad , which was reincorporated November 16 of that year. Many branch lines were abandoned or sold during that period, such as the local lines in Suffolk, Virginia , which were sold to the Virginian Railway in 1940. On January 21, 1942, the company was reorganized for the last time as the Norfolk Southern Railway. In 1954, the railroad retired its last steam locomotive from revenue service. On January 1, 1974,
2755-746: The Lords Proprietor of the Carolina Colony hired John Lawson to explore the area. He began his 1,000-mile (1,600 km) trek near present-day Charleston, South Carolina , and according to his diary, passed through the area sometime in February 1701. He wrote about a meeting with the Tuscarora Native American tribe on the banks of the Neuse River , and with the help of an interpreter, Lawson made peace with
2850-594: The Neuse River , but the night before the final vote, the committee adjourned to the home of Joel Lane for an evening of food and spirits. The next day, the vote went in Lane's favor. Lane named Wake County in honor of Margaret Wake Tryon , wife of colonial Governor William Tryon . Raleigh was named after Sir Walter Raleigh , and established in 1792 on 1,000 acres (4.0 km ) purchased from Lane. Raleigh had never set foot in North Carolina, but he had sponsored
2945-852: The Southern Railway bought the Norfolk Southern Railroad and merged it into the Carolina and Northwestern Railway , but kept the Norfolk Southern Railway name. In 1982 the Carolina and Northwestern name was brought back to free up the Norfolk Southern name for the planned merger of the Southern Railway with the Norfolk and Western Railway . The new Norfolk Southern Railway was formed in 1982. While
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3040-458: The 'Virginia Beach Division.' Beach passenger service using the gas electric "doodlebug" lasted until 1947 when the company ended service east of Norfolk. All passenger trains ended service on January 31, 1948. Mail and express runs continued for several more years. Presidents of Norfolk Southern: As a part of the current Norfolk Southern Railway's 30th anniversary in 2012, the company painted 20 new locomotives in predecessor schemes. NS #8114,
3135-577: The 1980s, enough socially-liberal Democrat and Republican professionals from the North had relocated to the county to break down this system of affairs. In 1994, Republicans won their first majority on the county commission in over 100 years. In 2009, Republicans won a majority on the Wake County Board of Education. Their majority lasted only two years due to several controversies including a student reassignment plan, and Democrats retook control of
3230-529: The 2008 election. In the 1998 Senate race, John Edwards won in Wake County, which helped him defeat incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth . In 2000 Mike Easley won the governor's race here with 55% of the vote. In 2004, Easley won again, winning with 59 percent to 40 percent for opponent Patrick Ballantine . Democrat Beverly Perdue won Wake County in the 2008 Governor's election by a 51 to 45 percent margin. In 2002, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Elizabeth Dole defeated Democrat Erskine Bowles with 55% of
3325-636: The Catholic Church, 17% are affiliated with the United Methodist Church, 6% are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), and 27% are religiously affiliated with other denominations or religions, or are not religiously affiliated. The county is governed by the Wake County Board of Commissioners , a seven-member board of county commissioners , elected at large to serve four-year terms. Despite being selected by
3420-531: The Census counted 2,760 as family households; 45.9% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.47. Knightdale's median age was 31.6 years. Largest brackets by age include 35–44 years (20.6%); 25–34 years (18.2%); 45–54 years (12.2%); 10–14 years (11.7%). Females made up 54.6% of
3515-402: The Knightdale area was a crossroads served only by a post office. By the end of the 19th century, locals decided there was a need to establish a town. Henry Haywood Knight donated some of his land holdings in the area to the Norfolk and Southern Railroad Company in order to entice the company to build a railroad that would provide freight and passenger service. Although Knight did not live to see
3610-777: The Meymandi Concert Hall. Theater performances are also offered at the Raleigh Little Theatre , Theatre in the Park and Stewart Theater at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Applause! Cary Youth Theatre, Cary Players Community Theatre, Sertoma Amphitheater at Bond Park, are located in Cary. Other theaters and performing arts locations include The Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex and Garner Historic Auditorium in Garner. Local colleges and universities add to
3705-461: The N&S in 1904. The Raleigh and Eastern North Carolina Railroad was organized in 1903 and renamed the Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad in 1905. In 1906, it built a line from the end of the N&S at Washington south to Bridgeton , as well as a completely separated line from Raleigh east to Zebulon . On November 24, 1906, the Norfolk and Southern Railway was formed as a consolidation of
3800-421: The Norfolk and Southern Railroad with the Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad and several other companies: The company again entered receivership in 1908, and in a 1910 reorganization returned to the 1883 name: Norfolk Southern Railroad. That same year it built a long branch from Chocowinity (also known as Marsden) on the main line south of Washington west to the isolated section to Raleigh at Zebulon (that became
3895-819: The North Carolina Museum of Art's Amphitheater, located in West Raleigh. Numerous smaller theaters and clubs also host concerts throughout the county. Occasionally the larger sporting venues such as PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium do as well. The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts complex houses the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, the Fletcher Opera Theater, the Kennedy Theatre, and
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3990-542: The Oceanfront area to Virginia Beach's resort growth in the late 19th and early 20th century was eclipsed only in 1922 by the construction of the paved Virginia Beach Boulevard roadway between the Oceanfront area and Norfolk. Also in 1902, the N&S acquired the Roanoke Railroad and Lumber Company 's Washington and Plymouth Railroad , running from Plymouth, North Carolina , south to Washington , built
4085-422: The Park include IBM (11,000 employees), GlaxoSmithKline (6,400 employees), and Cisco Systems (3,400 employees). Wake County's industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; and pharmaceuticals. The agriculture industry is visible in rural areas of the county, with tobacco, cotton, wheat, soybeans, and corn being
4180-568: The RC&;S was merged into the NSR in fall 1912. The RC&S was made up of the Sanford and Troy Railroad, Durham and Charlotte Railroad, and the following lines: At the time, only the Raleigh and Southport Railway connected to the other NSRR lines. In 1914 the NSRR built a line from Varina on the former R&S southwest to Colon and from Mount Gilead west to Charlotte, giving it a continuous line, using
4275-462: The Town Manager who serves at the discretion of the council. Council 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. The current mayor
4370-665: The Tuscarora. After receiving the report from Lawson, the King of England began to apportion these lands to willing settlers. In 1730, John Hinton settled in what would one day be called Knightdale in an area near the Neuse River, not far from where Hodge Road and Old Faison Road now intersect. As more settlers arrived, the colonial government appointed Hinton to be the Justice of the Peace for Craven County . Eventually, Johnston County
4465-468: The United States, with Cary and Raleigh being the 8th- and 15th-fastest growing communities, respectively. Its county seat is Raleigh , which is also the state capital . Eleven other municipalities are in Wake County, the largest of which is the town of Cary , the third-most populous city of the Research Triangle region and the seventh-most populous municipality in North Carolina. It
4560-462: The Wake County portion of the Research Triangle Park . It is expected to house a 1,000,000 square foot facility and hire more than 3,000 people with a minimum average salary of $ 185,000 per year. The "Mountain to Sea" North Carolina Bicycle Route 2 travels through Wake County, as does the Maine -to-Florida U.S. Bicycle Route 1 . North Carolina Bicycle Route 5 , the "Cape Fear Run", connects Apex to
4655-714: The acquisition of the Albemarle and Pantego Railroad in North Carolina from the John L. Roper Lumber Company , extending the line from Mackeys on the other side of the Albemarle Sound from Edenton south to Belhaven on the Pungo River , a branch of the Pamlico River . On November 1, 1899, the N&S bought the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Southern Railroad , running east from Norfolk to Virginia Beach on
4750-448: The area. The Clay Hill and Midway plantations saw the greatest damage, and after the war had ended, the residents began to rebuild. During this time, nearby Raleigh experienced a population boom. As a result, local leaders redrew the map of Wake County and divided it into townships . The area that became Knightdale was located in St. Matthew's Township , where it still is today. For many years
4845-566: The armies of Major General William T. Sherman and General Joseph E. Johnston. General Judson Kilpatrick, commanding officer of the Union cavalry advance, compelled Confederate forces under the command of Generals Wade Hampton III and Joseph Wheeler to withdraw in haste. They had been frantically trying to transport their remaining supplies and wounded by rail westward toward the final Confederate encampment in Greensboro. Kilpatrick used artillery on
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#17327870248294940-417: The best cities to find jobs in the United States, as well as being the area ranked as the best place for business and careers. Also in 2007, CNN ranked the region as the third best area for job growth, the top region for technology workers, and Bizjournals.com ranked it as the fourth best place for young adult job seekers. On April 26, 2021, Apple Inc. announced that they would build a $ 1 billion hub in
5035-597: The board in 2011. In 2008, the county swung hard to Barack Obama , who defeated John McCain 56 to 43 percent. Obama became the first Democrat since Lyndon Johnson to win a majority of the county's vote. In 2012, Obama won Wake County again over Mitt Romney with 54 percent of the vote to Romney's 44 percent – the first time in almost half a century that a Democrat carried the county in consecutive elections. Obama's performance in Wake mirrored his strong showing along Interstate 85 . In 2016, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won
5130-414: The coastal city of Wilmington . Wake County is home to eight institutions of higher learning. They include Meredith College , North Carolina State University , Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law , Peace College , Saint Augustine's College , Shaw University , Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Wake Technical Community College . The State Library of North Carolina
5225-524: The counties using the latest technology. This boundary change would affect about 130 properties, with 27 having houses on them, meaning they would end up in a different county or divided between two. An agreement was reached regarding the adjustment of the Wake, Chatham , and Harnett county lines in May 2018. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 857.02 square miles (2,219.7 km ), of which 834.59 square miles (2,161.6 km )
5320-453: The county 57 percent to Donald Trump's 37 percent, and in 2020 Joe Biden won the county with 62 percent of the vote to Donald Trump's 36 percent, reflecting the nationwide shift towards Democrats in urban and suburban areas. Biden's margin was the largest for a Democrat in the county since 1948. Trump was the first Republican in over 60 years to fail to receive at least 40 percent of the county's vote. Democrats fared well in Wake County during
5415-512: The county was 59.40% White, 14.29% African American, 9.24% Hispanics or Latinos of any race, 12.84% Asian, 4.04% from other races, 3.13% from two or more races, 0.16% Native American, and 0.03% Pacific Islander. Of the 242,040 households, 34.0% had children under 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were not families. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who
5510-447: The county. The Wake County Public Library system operates 22 branches throughout the county. There are 11 facilities in Raleigh. Cary and Apex each have two facilities. Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Wake Forest, Zebulon, Knightdale and Wendell each have one library facility. The Wake County library system keeps books, periodicals, and audio books and has recently expanded the selection to include downloadable e-books. Wake County
5605-562: The county. The outskirts of Raleigh, and the towns of Cary and Apex , are mostly home to swing voters. Wake County's economy is heavily influenced by the Research Triangle Park (RTP), located between Durham and Raleigh. RTP is the country's largest industrial park and a primary center in the United States for high-tech and biotech research, as well as textile development. The park is home to more than 160 companies employing over 50,000 people. The largest employers in
5700-723: The establishment of the first English colony in North America on North Carolina's Roanoke Island in 1585. The city of Raleigh became both the state capital and the new seat of Wake County. The Battle at Morrisville Station was fought April 13–15, 1865, in Morrisville, North Carolina, during the Carolinas Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the last official battle of the Civil War between
5795-557: The former S&T, D&C and branch of the A&;A from Colon to Mount Gilead. On May 27, 1920, the NSRR leased the Durham and South Carolina Railroad , giving it access to Durham . The D&SC ran from Durham south to Bonsal on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad , and had been extended to Duncan on the NSRR around the time the Norfolk Southern Railroad leased it. Another receivership came in 1932, and in 1935 it defaulted on its lease of
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#17327870248295890-514: The heights overlooking Morrisville Station and cavalry charges to push the Confederates out of the small village, leaving many needed supplies behind. However, the trains were able to withdraw with wounded from the Battle of Bentonville and the Battle of Averasboro. Later, General Johnston sent a courier to the federal encampments at Morrisville with a message for Major General Sherman requesting
5985-480: 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. The county, at the National Weather Service in Raleigh, receives on average 7 inches (180 mm) of snow in the winter. Freezing rain and sleet occur most winters, and occasionally the area experiences a major damaging ice storm . Wake County
6080-461: The main line to Charlotte via Raleigh, while the old line to New Bern became a branch). Several shorter branches also opened that year - from Bayboro south to Oriental , from Pinetown on the main line east to Bishops Cross on the line to Belhaven , and from Mackeys east to Columbia (as well as a trestle across the Albemarle Sound between Mackeys and Edenton). The Egypt Railroad was chartered June 14, 1890, and opened October 15, 1891, running
6175-428: The main thoroughfare through town. A large destination park, Knightdale Station Park, opened in 2013 just to the east of the old downtown area as part of a revitalization effort, the park was expanded in 2018 to add an amphitheater. Interstate 540 passes directly through the town before its eastern terminus at Interstate 87, while Interstate 87 (in concurrency with US 64) travels along a southern freeway bypass. In 1700,
6270-635: The most common products grown. SAS Institute , one of the largest privately held software companies in the world, is located in Cary, and Raleigh is home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 retailer Advance Auto Parts . Other major companies based in Wake County include A10 Networks , Verizon , 3Dsolve , Carquest , Butterball , Cotton Incorporated , Epic Games , Lord Corporation , Lenovo Group (U.S. headquarters), Tekelec , Red Hat , Golden Corral and Martin Marietta Materials . In 2007, Forbes magazine listed Raleigh and Cary among
6365-499: The museum recently has hosted major exhibitions featuring Auguste Rodin (in 2000) and Claude Monet (in 2006–07), each attracting more than 200,000 visitors. The museum is currently hosting a special exhibition of contemporary installation art called You Are Here: Light, Color, and Sound Experiences . Unlike most public museums, the North Carolina Museum of Art acquired a large number of the works in its permanent collection through purchases with public funds. The museum's outdoor park
6460-420: The name had once represented simply the Virginia and North Carolina based railroad which ran south from Norfolk to Charlotte, it was now a combination of the names of the two merged Class I railroads . Norfolk Southern still owns the main line from Gulf (near Cumnock) northeast to Raleigh. The part from Gulf west to Charlotte (as well as the branch to Aberdeen) is now the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway ,
6555-421: The name was changed to the Norfolk Southern Railroad ("NSRR"), reflecting the company's ambitions to build further. It entered receivership for the first time in 1889, and was purchased April 29 and reorganized May 1891 as the Norfolk and Southern Railroad. By that time, it had acquired trackage rights over the Norfolk and Western Railroad over the Elizabeth River into Norfolk. With the reorganization also came
6650-548: The options available for viewing live performances. Wake County is home to several professional arts organizations, including the North Carolina Symphony , the Opera Company of North Carolina, the North Carolina Theatre, and Carolina Ballet. The North Carolina Museum of Art, occupying a large suburban campus on Blue Ridge Road near the State Fairgrounds, houses one of the premier public art collections between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta . In addition to collections of American art , European art , African art , and ancient art ,
6745-426: The part from Edenton north to Norfolk is now the Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad , and the Belhaven-Pinetown branch as well as the Plymouth-Raleigh segment is now operated by the Carolina Coastal Railway . The line between Plymouth and Edenton has been removed, with the famous Albemarle Sound Trestle having been demolished in the late 1980s. The company had passenger service on several of its lines in 1932. Notable
6840-560: The population of the area began to increase, with farmers growing products such as tobacco and cotton. Slaves were used at Midway Plantation and Beaver Dam Plantation in Knightdale. There are unmarked grave plots for slaves throughout Knightdale. Although documentation of grave sites has been lost, the burials remain a significant part of the local landscape. During the Civil War , the Confederate and Union armies were present in
6935-411: The population was below the federal poverty line. A county courthouse was built in 1915. Space for county government in the building grew increasingly inadequate in the 1960s, and another courthouse was built in 1970. In August 2014, the county population surpassed 1,000,000 people. In November 2017, commissioners of Wake and Harnett counties discussed the possibility of redrawing the line between
7030-583: The population, while men made up 45.4%. Knightdale's public schools are administered by the Wake County Public School System , the 19th largest school district in the country. Students in Knightdale attend the following schools, some of which are located in neighboring communities: Knightdale has no post-secondary schools. Nearby institutions, all located in nearby Raleigh, include North Carolina State University , Meredith College , Shaw University , Saint Augustine's College and Wake Technical Community College . The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
7125-500: The railroad arrive in Knightdale, not long after his death in 1904, the railroad finally came to the community that would bear his name. After the railroad and depot were built, the area began to develop quickly. Norfolk and Southern moved families into the community to take care of the railroad, and many of the older homes that exist today in Knightdale were built specifically for the use of railroad workers and their families. The first railroad stationmaster's house can still be seen along
7220-554: The railroad operated trains to a number of North Carolina coastal destinations, including Columbia , Belhaven and Beaufort . In 1902, the Chesapeake Transit Company opened an electric interurban line from Norfolk to Virginia Beach and then north four miles to Cape Henry. In 1904, this line merged with the Norfolk Southern and was referred to as the NS Electric Division. Eventually the trolley
7315-685: The seventh fastest-growing town in North Carolina. Frankie Muniz , a popular television and film actor, grew up in Knightdale. He started his acting career performing the role of Tiny Tim in " A Christmas Carol " for three years. Nominations for his performances include the Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award and the Young Artist of Hollywood Award. He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona . In 2002, Knightdale's first female mayor, Jeanne Milliken Bonds ,
7410-440: 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
7505-588: The state capital was New Bern . For several years during and after the Revolutionary War , there was no capital, and the General Assembly met in various locations. Fayetteville was the state capital in 1786, 1789, 1790, and 1793, when Raleigh became the permanent state capital in 1794. In 1792, a commission was appointed to select a site to build a permanent state capital. The commission members favored land owned by Colonel John Hinton across
7600-449: The state's flat coastal plain. Its central Piedmont location situates the county about three hours west of Atlantic Beach by car and four hours east of the Great Smoky Mountains . Bodies of water that are located in Wake County include Crabtree Creek , Walnut Creek , the Neuse River , Lake Crabtree , Lake Johnson, Lake Raleigh, Lake Wheeler, Lake Benson, Harris Lake and portions of Falls Lake and Jordan Lake . Wake County enjoys
7695-596: The successor Norfolk Southern Railway operated 624 miles (1,004 km) of road with 801 miles (1,289 km) of track; that year it reported 710 million ton-miles of revenue freight. The Elizabeth City and Norfolk Railroad was established January 20, 1870, and in 1881 the line opened, running south from Berkley, Virginia , across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, via Elizabeth City to Edenton, North Carolina . On February 1, 1883,
7790-550: The townspeople rebuilt the historic downtown area. After World War II , the population of Knightdale grew at a steady pace, thanks to the Baby Boom . The corner drugstore, the bank, and the barber shop located on First Avenue served as places of business, as well as places for social gatherings. Movies were often shown on the wall of the old bank building, which is located at the intersection of First Avenue and Main Street. In 1952
7885-589: The tracks on Railroad Street. As the community continued to grow, Knightdale received its articles of official incorporation from the North Carolina Legislature on March 9, 1927, with the first mayor being Bennett L. Wall. On February 7, 1940, a fire broke out in the center of town. The townspeople turned out to help extinguish the fire, but the fire was not brought under control until firefighters arrived from Raleigh with an adequate water supply. Several businesses and homes were destroyed and
7980-427: The upper 80s to low 90s°F (29 to 35 °C). The rainiest months are July and August. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 19,435 people, 6,110 households, and 4,114 families residing in the town. As of the census of 2010, there were 11,406 people and 3,754 households in the town. The median value of owner-occupied homes in Knightdale was $ 174,300. The Homeownership Rate was 71.7%. Median income for
8075-453: The vote in Wake County, and won by a large margin statewide. However, in 2004, Bowles won the county with 52 percent, despite losing statewide to Richard Burr by the same margin. In 2008 Kay Hagan defeated Dole 56 to 40 percent. Democratic strength is concentrated primarily in Raleigh . Republican strength is concentrated in the rural and exurban areas in the northern and western parts of
8170-454: The whole county, each commissioner represents a district in which they live. Terms are staggered so that every two years, three or four commissioners are up for election. The commissioners enact policies such as the establishment of the property tax rate, regulation of land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions, and adoption of the annual budget. Commissioners meet on the first and third Mondays of each month. County voters also elect
8265-402: Was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51, and the average family size was 3.06. In the county, the age distribution was 25.1% under 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 96.50 males. The median income for
8360-400: Was acquired by the Southern Railway in 1974, which merged with the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982 to form the current Norfolk Southern Railway . In May 1920, the predecessor Norfolk Southern Railroad leased the Durham and South Carolina Railroad , which became its Durham branch. This would be the largest the NSRR would become: a route of 942 miles (1,516 km). At the end of 1970,
8455-530: Was built at a village originally called Wake Courthouse, now known as Bloomsbury. In 1771, the first elections and court were held, and the first militia units were organized. Wake County lost some of its territory through the formation of other counties. Parts were included in Franklin County in 1787, and in Durham County in both 1881 and 1911. During the colonial period of North Carolina,
8550-496: Was built in 1896. The tramway was removed in 1901 and the Durham and Charlotte Railroad was then built to Star by 1902. Some time after 1900 it bought the former Raleigh and Western Railway right-of-way and rebuilt the line from Cumnock to Gulf, and built an extension from Star southwest to Troy . In November 1911, the NSRR formed the Raleigh, Charlotte and Southern Railway (RC&S) as a consolidation of several smaller companies;
8645-697: Was carved out of Craven County in the 1750s and Wake County carved out of Johnston County in 1771. When the American Revolution began, Hinton switched his allegiance to the colonials. He became a military leader and played a key role in the first battle of the American Revolution fought on North Carolina soil, the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge . Hinton owned seven plantations in the Knightdale area, of which three are still intact: The Oaks, Midway , and Beaver Dam . After independence,
8740-474: Was chartered March 2, 1893, and planned to connect the two cities named with the railroad. On July 15, 1896, it bought the Glendon and Gulf Railroad, running from Gulf (west of Cumnock) southwest to Glendon . After reaching Elise ( Robbins ) in 1899, the Durham and Charlotte Railroad was building towards Star . The company endured several years of litigation over the right-of-way with a Wright Tramway, which
8835-535: Was dropped and a gas electric "doodlebug" took over. On May 15, 1940 the NS moved its main line train service from Norfolk Terminal station to Berkley Station at 701 Main Street, on the south side of Norfolk. By 1943, the NS was listing replacement bus service on its lines with the exception of the main line Norfolk to Raleigh and the Virginia Beach Electric Division, the latter now called
8930-479: Was elected. There are multiple historic sites in Knightdale that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places including: Beaver Dam , Henry H. and Bettie S. Knight Farm , and Midway Plantation House and Outbuildings . Knightdale has a Council-manager government . Under this system the citizens elect a mayor and five council members as the town's governing body. The council then appoints
9025-411: Was the twice a day in each direction service from Norfolk Terminal Station to Union Depot in Raleigh. For a time, the night trains to and from Raleigh bore the name, Midnight Express. At Raleigh passengers could change to a timed connection train to Charlotte . This line served the major towns of northeastern North Carolina, including Elizabeth City, Washington, Greenville and Wilson. Additionally,
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