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Walking Franklin Street in Downtown Chapel Hill
From the firetrucks to the street signs, Downtown Chapel Hill is adorned in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s signature Carolina Blue. Students hang out on Franklin Street, cozying up in quiet cafes to study or grabbing a quick coffee before rushing to campus. “The first Chapel Hill lots were sold on the same day that the cornerstone for UNC was laid,” says Maggie Funkhouser, manager of the Carrboro Farmers’ Mark and UNC alum. “It speaks to the interconnectedness of the university and the town.”
The town’s population shrinks significantly when the majority of students leave during the summer. But, even when classes are in session, Chapel Hill is more suburban than the rest of The Research Triangle, which also includes Raleigh and Durham. “There's a lot of nightlife, don't get me wrong, but it's a little bit slower paced,” says Dave Wylie, a Realtor with Compass Cary and UNC alum. "I do a lot of relocation for people from California and New York, and I kind of prep them for ‘Hey, this is a slower way of life.’ It's not going to be as hustle and bustle as you're used to. That said, it's not devoid of culture or like things going on. It's just a little bit less chaotic.”
While the university’s Tar Heel spirit runs strong throughout downtown, Chapel Hill is evolving from being just a college town. “They have added a lot more to the mix and have made it more desirable for people who are not just in college, like retirees or people who have kids,” Wylie says.
Downtown Chapel Hill is adorned in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s signature Carolina Blue.
While the university’s Tar Heel spirit runs strong throughout downtown, Downtown Chapel Hill is evolving from being just a college town.
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Top of the Hill and more local favorites
There's a mix of chain fast-food restaurants and local eateries on Franklin Street. “That's where if UNC beats Duke, for example, all the kids go rush Franklin Street,” Wylie says. Top of the Hill is a long-standing brewery that opened in 1996. Epilogue is a new addition to the street, but the book cafe was started by two Chapel Hill locals. Locals can start their day with a go-to breakfast sandwich at Brandwein’s Bagel and end the night by grabbing a drink at He’s Not Here. Since opening in 1972, the bar says several people have met their future spouses here, Wylie included. There are also a few upscale options, like Lantern serving Asian fusion cuisine.
A little further from campus, Caffé Driade is an espresso bar that also serves wine and tea. “It's a hidden gem of Chapel Hill,” Funkhouser says. “It feels like going into a grotto. The coffee is all locally roasted, and it’s in the woods, and even though it’s close to campus, not a ton of students go there.” Further up the road are large shopping centers with grocery store options like Trader Joe’s and Aldi.
Top of the Hill Restaurant in Downtown Chapel Hill is an upscale sports bar.
A little further from Downtown Chapel Hill, Caffé Driade is an espresso bar that also serves wine and tea.
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Condos and new developments
“It's mostly condos and or sororities,” Wylie says. "There's not a whole lot of housing on Franklin Street itself. But around it is your typical campus kind of housing.” Units in the Greenbridge condo complex range from $500,000 to $1.2 million. The complex on 140 West Franklin Street is a mixed-use space where units start at $420,00 and go as high as $1.85 million for a penthouse.
While there is limited housing downtown, more living spaces are being developed throughout Chapel Hill. "There's a lot of development because there's a lot of demand for housing, especially housing that is affordable,” Funkhouser says. “I see a lot of younger families moving here. I see a lot of students, obviously, moving here.” Future residents should note that Orange County property taxes are among the highest in The Triangle. "The property tax here is going to be quite a bit higher than in Chatham County, which is south of us,” Wylie says.
Units in the Greenbridge condo complex range from $500,000 to $1.2 million in Downtown Chapel Hill.
The complex on 140 West Franklin Street in Downtown Chapel Hill is a mixed-use space where units start at $420,00.
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Highly ranked Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools rank as the No. 1 Best School District in North Carolina. “There are a couple of reasons that people move to Chapel Hill; one is the schools,” Wylie says. “They're some of the highest range in the state, not just in the triangle, but the state itself.” Carrboro Elementary and Smith Middle both earn an A overall on Niche. East Chapel Hill High School scores an A-plus. Sixty percent of the high school’s faculty hold a Master’s degree, and the faculty-to-student ratio is 17 to 1. Multiple career and technical education pathways are offered, including architectural design and drafting, which is exclusive to ECHHS.
Carrboro Elementary School is located just outside Downtown Chapel Hill.
East Chapel Hill High School is part of the Orange County School system near Downtown Chapel Hill.
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Green space on the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus
There aren’t many designated parks downtown, but there is still green space to enjoy. “You can go to campus and walk around. There's a lot of greenery and large open spaces,” Wylie says. The university’s single landmark, the Old Well, is located on McCorkle Place on campus. Battle Park has 93 acres of forested land, trails and picnic areas. It’s maintained by The North Carolina Botanical Garden, which is a few miles away. Even in the winter, visitors can enjoy the garden’s sculptures, which include a giant chess board. “Athletics, sports, exercise are a big part of the culture here,” Wylie says. “So be it golf, soccer or any sport out there, you will find people playing it and an area to do it.”
The Old Well at UNC is a close walk from Downtown Chapel Hill.
Battle Park in Chapel Hill, NC is open dawn to dusk.
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Annual festivals and the Pride Promenade
The annual Festifall Arts Market on Franklin Street showcases artists and live performers. It has a new theme each year. Other events include the Pride Promenade, which celebrates the LGBTQIA community. There are a number of events throughout the year that are associated with the university but open to the public.
Game day traffic on Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is about a 5-mile drive from downtown. “I-40 is the main highway that connects all of the triangle, more or less,” Wylie says. Traffic gets heavy when UNC’s men's basketball team is playing. “You live and die basketball here," says Nikki Rice, a Realtor with eXp Realty and Chapel Hill resident. “I mean, it's big. There's a hierarchy. There's the basketball coach, there's the assistant coach, and then there's God.”
There’s a public transportation option for navigating the city. “The bus system goes all over Chapel Hill and Carrboro, including campus,” Funkhouser says. “Some lines only run on campus.” The UNC Medical Center is a less than 2-mile drive from Franklin Street. Downtown has a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4.
Chapel Hill is also well-connected to the rest of the Triangle. “What I tell a lot of people when they move here is that you're usually about 30 minutes away from anywhere in the Triangle,” Wylie says. “It isn't hard to necessarily get from point A to point B, depending on where you are in the triangle.” The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 17 miles away.
Interstate 40 is about a 5-mile drive from Downtown Chapel Hill.
There’s a lot of public transportation option for navigating Downtown Chapel Hill.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erin Daniel,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Battle Park
Trails
Parking Lot
Umstead Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
29 min drive
Bus
West Franklin Street & North Roberson Street
Bus
South Columbia Street & Frat Court
Bus
North Columbia Street & Rosemary Street
Bus
West Franklin Street & University Baptist Church
Bus
West Rosemary Street & Mini Mart Eastbound
Bus
West Franklin Street & Kenan Street Westbound
Bus
West Franklin Street & Kenan Street Eastbound
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Chapel Hill
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Chapel Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill sell after 88 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill over the last 12 months is $362,400.
Experience modern elegance in this 7th (top) floor, 2-bedroom, 2-full bathroom condo. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the interior in natural light, highlighting the rich cherry wood floors that flow seamlessly throughout the open-concept living space. The gourmet kitchen boasts sleek cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, perfect for both everyday living and
Rare Air in Chapel Hill! Enjoy soaring views from this 9th floor Greenbridge Condominium which boasts a perfect location for all things Chapel Hill and Carrboro. This exceptional twostory unit with an unparalleled panoramic view offers abundant amenities and access. Wow! isthe exclamation upon entry to this unmatched space that captivates the senses.The main floor offers the
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a spacious condo in one of Chapel Hill's most sought after buildings 140 West! Just minutes from the University of North Carolina campus. Whether you're a student, faculty member, investor or someone who simply loves being in the heart of it all, this location is unbeatable. Modern updates throughout, including fresh finishes and thoughtful touches.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Erin Daniel,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,051
Median Age
24
Population under 18
24.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
4.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,105
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,160
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.4%
College Graduates
75.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
87/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
60/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
