Holly Springs, North Carolina is a progressive town dedicated to keeping its family-centered feeling. Holly Springs is located in southern Wake County, a short drive from the state capital of Raleigh, NC, in the east-central portion of the state. In colonial times, a small cluster of homes and businesses formed around the original “holly springs” in an area that once was a Tuscarora Indian hunting ground. During the Civil War, the once-thriving community of Holly Springs was stripped of fighting-age men. Local schools shut down and the progress of the town was put on hold. After the Civil War, prosperity did not return easily to the Holly Springs community. The construction of the Chatham Railroad through Apex, a neighboring town, encouraged economic prosperity down the road from Holly Springs and stymied their growth. In 1875, Colonel Alford moved his mercantile business to Holly Springs, NC. Alford, along with 20 other Holly Springs men, helped bring The Durham and Southern Railroad to the community. He also established the Holly Springs Land and Improvement Company, which encouraged economic development in town. This colonial version of the chamber of commerce turned the town of Holly Springs, North Carolina around.

Holly Spring’s economy boomed during the early 1900’s. World War I drew men to war and families to bigger cities for improved employment opportunities. In the latter half of the 20th century, progress returned to Holly Springs. In the 1960’s, the town installed streetlights and constructed a public water system. A sewer plant was completed in 1985. Starting around that time, many small local towns experienced growth from the heavily populated Raleigh and Durham area. Holly Springs, North Carolina is now rapidly growing.

The town of less than 1,000 in 1990 grew to 9,192 in 2000 according to the U.S. Census. By 2006, the population is expected to swell to over 17,500. Median household income is $69,550 and family income is at $74,010.

Downtown Holly Springs is located in the area surrounding Town Hall, the historical center of Holly Springs, NC. The Town Center master plan features mixed-use development, designed to resemble a traditional turn-of-the-century southern downtown. Newly constructed commercial buildings are home to several small businesses and the proposed Mims Towne Square will offer space for a restaurant, retail stores and offices. Renovations to the Town Hall will provide space for additional town services. These activities serve to support the rapid growth of the community as well as furthering the vision of the 1998 Ten-Year Comprehensive Growth Plan: "To foster, maintain and enhance a village atmosphere that evokes a sense of place.”

Holly Springs, NC has two public elementary schools and one public middle school that are part of the Wake County Public School System. A public high school is scheduled to open for the 2006-2007 school year. The Wake County Public School System currently serves over 90,000 children and is one of the fastest growing districts in the nation with roughly 5,000 additional children entering the system each year.

Holly Springs, NC is accessible from 1-40, US Highway 1, and US Highway 64. The new NC 55 bypass is a four-lane median divided, limited access highway that provides direct access to the 400-acre Holly Springs Business Park.

Holly Spring’s Parks and Recreation program was established in 1996 with a $2 million parks and recreation bond. The opportunity for leisure activities is on the rise in Holly Springs through athletics, special interest classes, camps, and other cultural events. A master greenway plan will connect the Holly Springs park system to the new 600 acre county park at Harris Lake and other areas.

Holly Springs, North Carolina hosts the annual Happy Holly Day Parade. The tradition began in 1995 with parade entries including a variety of homemade floats, middle and high school marching bands, and pipe and drum corps.

There has been a remarkable change in the landscape of Holly Springs, North Carolina since the early 1990s, and trends show that this thriving community will increase development opportunities in all sectors.