Cedar Grove offers country living north of Hillsborough
Farming has been a way of life in Cedar Grove for generations. The Orange County township, about 10 miles outside Hillsborough, is a patchwork of row crops and forest connected by a web of winding country roads. “It’s nice because it’s rural but still close to town, so you get all the nature and privacy without being too far from everything,” says Haylee Henry, a Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Realtor, who works throughout the Hillsborough area. She describes Cedar Grove as secluded, beautiful and peaceful. While the enclave typically appeals to the buyer seeking acres of land, the community’s proximity to Interstate 40 attracts commuters who work for employers across the Research Triangle region.
The township offers a range of home styles with room for custom builds
Cedar Grove offers a variety of single-family homes, from low-slung ranch-style homes and regal Colonial Revivals to farmhouses with extensive acreage. There’s also a growing number of Craftsman-style builds. “There’s plenty of elbow room and places where people can build custom homes,” Henry adds. Some properties stand alone on lots hidden off main roads, while others are surrounded by farmland or rest in more traditional subdivisions. The Lake Orange community is sought after for its lakefront properties.
The median price for a single-family home in Cedar Grove is around $430,000, slightly above the national median. Most homes cost between $240,000 and $650,000. However, large acreage properties can range from $700,000 to more than $1 million. According to flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, properties near lakes, reservoirs and rivers may rest within or near flood hazard areas. Lake Orange and the West Fork Eno Reservoir have dams and spillways to help prevent flooding.
A highly rated school district with an engineering academy
Orange County Schools receives a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has 13 schools, a few of which offer magnet and choice programs. Many Cedar Grove students can attend the B-minus-rated Central Elementary, the C-plus-rated Gravelly Hill Middle and the B-plus-rated Orange High. The high school offers an Engineering Design Academy, a four-year program with hands-on learning, internships and job shadowing opportunities. Hillsborough Christian Academy is a nearby private option that Niche does not yet rate.
Outdoor activities include nature walks along the Eno River
The east and west forks of the Eno River flow through Cedar Grove, meeting at the southern edge of the township at the Confluence Natural Area. Once a working farm, the green space today offers a pollinator garden, forested trails and a pavilion. Nearby, the expansive Cedar Grove Park and Community Center offers indoor and outdoor athletic facilities for baseball and basketball, and is where seasonal events are held, such as a Christmas parade and a Halloween trunk-or-treat. Those who have access to Lake Orange enjoy various water sports, from fishing to water skiing. No recreation is allowed on the West Fork Eno Reservoir, which provides drinking water for the city of Hillsborough.
Shopping and dining from Cedar Grove shops to Mebane’s outlets
A few businesses dot Cedar Grove, including Farm and Garden Center, a gas station where residents can pick up bait and tackle, garden supplies and a frozen meal, all in one stop. Nearby, the no-frills John’s Grill serves burgers and hot dogs. Botanist and Barrel is a local favorite for its wine garden and themed events. The adjacent Cedar Grove Blueberry Farm offers pick-your-own blueberries each June.
Most shopping and dining is done in Hillsborough and Mebane , which have a mix of national retailers, grocery chains, boutiques and locally owned restaurants and bars. Eno River Brewing in Hillsborough is popular for its spacious outdoor area steps from the Eno River, while the Tanger Outlets in Mebane draws shoppers from around the region for its name-brand and designer outlet stores.
Most people drive to get around Cedar Grove
Though Cedar Grove's spread-out nature makes it car-dependent, the community still has access to public transportation. There’s a Go Triangle bus stop at the Cedar Grove Park and Community Center. The township is mostly country roads, but state Highway 86 provides a direct route to Hillsborough, about 10 miles away. That’s where commuters can connect to Interstates 40 or 85 to reach destinations around the region. Chapel Hill and Durham are less than 25 and 30 miles away, respectively. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is around a 40-mile drive. The University of North Carolina Hospitals’ Hillsborough campus offers the closest medical care.
