Forested haven within walking distance of UNC-Chapel Hill
The Greenwood neighborhood’s idyllic history starts with its Pulitzer Prize-winning founder, Paul Green. During the Great Depression, the playwright bought over 200 acres of forested countryside where his fellow liberal arts professors planted roots. He plotted lots of up to five acres, designed so that new homes would not obstruct the views of their neighbors. Colonial Revival homes sprang up on Greenwood Road, then in the 1950s, single-level homes were all the rage. In those early days, neighbors gathered for picnics, kids played baseball and snow plowing was thanks to Billy the pony. Today, Greenwood remains a tranquil, sylvan escape where some professors still reside. The peaceful, tree-lined properties of Greenwood are a five-minute drive from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. “You can walk from Greenwood to the university,” says Jay Kennihan, owner of Chapel Hill Realty Group and longtime Chapel Hill resident. “It’s a family-friendly spot, but at price points that incoming professors can’t afford.”
A Cape Cod home in Greenwood is situated on a spacious wooded lot, providing a tranquil and private setting.
Friends from Greenwood enjoy engaging in lively conversations while strolling along the paved paths.
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Properties with shade and privacy
Greenwood Road is the neighborhood’s long, main road, leading to the Barbee-Hargraves Historic Slave Cemetery. It cuts through the dense trees, which provide welcome shade during the hot summer months. “On the main road into Greenwood, if it’s trash day and you’ve got two cars passing, it’s a little tight,” Kennihan says. Properties are spaced out on either side, including midcentury and Colonial Revival homes built and restored between the 1930s and 1980s. “The neighborhood is very leafy with large lots, and there is some new construction as a result of teardowns,” Kennihan adds. Landscaped properties tend to have paved pathways, patios and plenty of trees. Prices range from about $1.1 million to $2.3 million, depending on square footage and recent upgrades.
A modern-style home in Greenwood is enveloped by lush, mature trees, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.
A Cape Cod-style home in Greenwood is shaded by the dense canopy under which it is nestled, providing a cool and tranquil environment.
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Hiking through the surrounding woods
A castle lies within the forest bordering Greenwood, and curious residents can journey through the woods to find it. Constructed in the 1920s, Gimghoul Castle predates the neighborhood; this mysterious stone structure is the source of much local legend, and serves as the headquarters for the Order of Gimghoul, a secret society for male upperclassmen at UNC-Chapel Hill. Battle Branch Trail penetrates the forest at the western edge of Greenwood, connecting to Battle Park, where hikers may come across a herd of deer. Multiple golf courses, both public and private, await nearby, as well as the North Carolina Botanical Garden, which houses one of the largest collections of native plants in the entire Southeast, a collection that includes gardens dedicated to therapeutic horticulture and edible plants. Operated by the University of North Carolina, the Botanical Garden also has more than 3 miles of wooded trails to explore and a variety of educational programming suitable for all ages.
NC Botanical Garden is not far from Downtown Chapel Hill.
Friends from Greenwood relish a morning of golf at the nearby course.
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Prestigious public schools and university
The neighborhood is districted to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, which earns an overall rating of A-plus from Niche. Students may attend Greenwood Elementary and Culbreth Middle, both rated A on Niche, before advancing to East Chapel Hill High, rated A-plus. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked the high school as the best in the district, the second best in the Durham metro area and the 11th best in the state. Alternatively, St. Thomas More Catholic School, which is not rated on Niche, offers small class sizes with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1 for prekindergarten through middle school. Since 1795, college students have come to UNC-Chapel Hill, a Public Ivy known for academic and athletic excellence.
Glenwood Elementary School scores a 9 on greatschools.com.
Culbreth Middle School is named for Grey Culbreth.
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Nearby shopping centers include upscale restaurants and grocery stores
Glen Lennox Shopping Center, one of the oldest in the state, has restaurants like Jujube, which serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in a sleek, contemporary atmosphere. Shoppers can get groceries across the street at The Fresh Market. More restaurants and retailers can be found at University Place, a nearby shopping center that’s being redeveloped into a live-work-play community.
Visit JuJuBe near Greenwood for a refreshing after-work cocktail to unwind and relax.
Greenwood residents can experience the next blockbuster in IMAX at the nearby AMC Theaters.
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Conveniently located along Raleigh Road and Highway 501
Greenwood is positioned at the interchange between Raleigh Road, which leads to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, a little over 1 mile away, and Highway 501, which leads north to Durham, about 10 miles north. Chapel Hill’s free buses stop at the neighborhood entrance and serve areas throughout all of Chapel Hill. Emergency care at UNC Medical Center is about 3 miles down Raleigh Road, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 15 miles east.
The symbol of UNC, the Old Well, is located on McCorkle Place in Downtown Chapel Hill.
UNC offers bus services running through Greenwood and surrounding neighborhoods.
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
This unparalleled elegant home offers features rarely seen, inside and out! Complete privacy yet close to everything Chapel Hill and beyond. Modern, yet warm Sitzer-Spuria design. At every turn discover quality and intrigue: Antique French limestone, richly patinated copper panels and woven balcony, Anigre wood cabinets, In-ground pool with multiple waterfalls escaping the white stucco privacy
Don't miss this classic mid-century ranch nestled in Historical Greenwood. Situated on a 1 acre lot this sprawling ranch has room for the family plus more. Including a full finished attic with 2 huge bonus rooms not included in the base square footage. This home boasts 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths, a family room, formal living, gourmet kitchen, sunroom, huge pantry, massive deck and patio. The
Wonderful chance to own a piece of Chapel Hill history.This 1.2 acre lot in Greenwood is ripe for your dreamspace. Accessible to city sewer and water. 2 miles to UNC, 4 miles to I-40, close to shopping, restaurants, and all the Chapel Hill has to offer.
Property Id: 2006919Welcome to your dream home in Chapel Hill, NC! This stunning 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom single-family property offers luxury living with amenities such as a swimming pool, vaulted ceilings, and a fenced yard for your pets. Central Chapel Hill location close to campus. Available 8/1/2025 for $6500/month. Don't miss out on this Mid Century Gem!
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
296
Median Age
40
Population under 18
20.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$140,624
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$171,567
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
76.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
45.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
12/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
42/ 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.
