Holly Springs, located in southwest Wake County, is home to about 18,000 residents. It has grown from a rural crossroads community of less than 1,000 residents in 1990 to one of Wake County's largest towns today. Proximity to the I-540 Outer Loop and a quick commute to Research Triangle Park guarantees that the town will continue to grow.

What are the local attractions?

The Holly Springs Cultural Center includes a performing arts theater, a conference center, an outdoor stage and a public library. The 90-acre Bass Lake Park & Retreat Center opened in 2004 and offers a range of recreational opportunities as well as event facilities. The town's Farmers Market opened in the summer of 2007 and is open June through October. The town holds its annual HollyFest in October, and the Happy Holly Days parade in December. You can learn more about Holly Springs events by going here.

What's the history?

The town was settled in 1826 and incorporated in 1877. It was named for the holly trees growing near a nearby spring. One of the original homes, the Leslie-Alford-Mims House, is still standing. So is the Masonic Lodge, built in 1854, which is still in use for community meetings. But the explosive growth in the recent past has brought new landmarks like the Town Hall, a 35,000-square-foot building that opened in 2003 on Main Street. Learn more about the town's history here.

Who runs the town?

The town is governed by a group of six elected officials including a mayor and five town council members. They oversee a town manager who runs the daily operations of Holly Springs' government.

Here's a way to learn more about town services and Holly Springs statistics.

Who lives here?

The median age in Apex was 30.7 as of the 2000 census. The racial breakdown is 77.1 percent white, 18.6 percent black, and 1.2 percent Asian. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 3 percent of the population. Bachelors degrees or higher are held by 50.7 percent of the population over 25.

What about public safety?

Police services are provided by the Holly Springs Police Department. Here are the crime statistics for 2006 (source: SBI):

Murder: 1

Rape : 0

Robbery: 3

Aggravated Assault: 18

Burglary: 66

Larcenies: 142

Motor Vehicle Theft: 7