$1,032,337Average Value$313Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Why the West Chapel Hill Historic District is a desirable neighborhood
The West Chapel Hill Historic District is a primarily residential neighborhood set in the woods directly west of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an enclave that grew alongside the university, its historic homes, some of which date to the 1840s, helped the neighborhood to earn its distinction as a National Register Historic District in 1998. “More than anything, this is where town meets campus,” says Gary Saleeby, a longtime Chapel Hillian and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston, who says this community attracts students, university faculty and medical staff who want to be able to walk and bike to campus and UNC Hospitals. Franklin Street, the city’s lively downtown stretch, serves as the district’s northern boundary. “You do have a little student contact with sorority and fraternity houses in the neighborhood,” Saleeby adds. With several apartment complexes, renters outnumber homeowners in this sought-after community, though more than a quarter of neighborhood residences are single-family homes occupied by the owners.
The West Chapel Hill Historic District is located directly west of the UNC Hospitals.
The West Chapel Hill Historic District is a primarily residential neighborhood.
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Historic single-family homes and condos blocks from UNC-Chapel Hill
There’s a noticeable shift in character from Franklin Street's dense urban blocks to the tree-lined roads of the West Chapel Hill Historic District, where single-family homes blend into the wooded landscape. The neighborhood’s northern half is known for its late-19th-century and early 20th-century Colonial Revivals and Craftsman bungalows, which rest on level lots of less than a quarter acre. The gridded streets begin to curve as they follow the hills of the neighborhood’s southern half, where lot sizes can stretch to over half an acre. Architectural styles here range from Colonial Revival and Cape Cod to midcentury ranch-style homes and custom contemporary designs. Single-family home prices typically start over $900,000 and can exceed $1.5 million. There are also condos ranging from $395,000 to around $580,000. “They’re very small units, but so convenient. You fall out of bed, and you’re on campus,” Saleeby says. He notes that buyers looking here may be in for a wait, however: “There is so little turnover in there. There’s not a lot of shopping to do. Homes become available one at a time.”
The neighborhood’s northern half is known for its older Colonial Revival style homes.
Craftsman bungalows are also popular in the West Chapel Hill Historic District.
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Highly rated public schools and a top-ranking university
Along with neighborhood schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools offers magnet programs through an application lottery. The district earns an A-plus overall rating from Niche. The West Chapel Hill Historic District’s assigned schools start with the A-rated Carrboro Elementary. Its campus features a community garden cared for by teachers, students and their families. Smith Middle gets an A. The school’s annual Global Connections Night, held for over 20 years, celebrates its diverse student body with a sharing of cultural traditions, foods and activities. East Chapel Hill High receives an A-plus and offers a Social Justice Academy. St. Thomas More Catholic School, which Niche does not yet rate, is a nearby private option offering prekindergarten through eighth grade.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is blocks away. The public research university is known for its academic prowess. U.S. News & World Report ranks UNC-Chapel Hill as the fifth-best public university in the nation, according to its 2025 list. There’s also a staunch fandom for its Tar Heels sports teams, which have collectively won over 50 national championship titles.
Carrboro Elementary School located in Carrboro, North Carolina.
Smith Middle is a public school located in Chapel Hill, NC and has around 750 students.
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A neighborhood between Chapel Hill’s downtown and a legendary restaurant
West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill’s vibrant downtown corridor with boutique shops, local restaurants and bumping nightlife, is blocks away. Residents and college students mix in this walkable district, which is home to institutions such as the historic Varsity Theatre and hosts city festivals like the annual Festifall Arts Market. The downtown Target has everyday necessities and typically serves college students because of its proximity to UNC-Chapel Hill. Weaver Street Market and Harris Teeter are less than 2 miles away in Carrboro. South of the neighborhood, Merritt’s Store & Grill is a nationally known Chapel Hill staple, dating to 1929. “They’re known for having the best BLT you’ll ever put in your mouth,” Saleeby says. “It used to be a gas station and country store with a stove in the middle. It has become a very famous thing.”
You can catch the newest movies at the historic Varsity Theatre.
You can enjoy lunch outside at the popular Merritt's Store & Grill.
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Parks, gardens and trails near the West Chapel Hill Historic District
Homes overlook Westwood Park, the district’s pocket-sized green space featuring a short gravel walking trail and a small playground in the shade of towering trees. The Carolina Campus Community Garden is in the neighborhood along Wilson Street. It’s often buzzing during the growing season, as volunteers grow produce for lower-wage university employees. The UNC campus provides more green space nearby, from its landmark-dotted quads to the abundant Coker Arboretum. It’s home to the North Carolina Botanical Garden, which hosts 15 manicured display gardens showcasing the state’s diverse ecosystems. The wooded Morgan Creek Trail is less than 2 miles away for peaceful walks and bike rides to Merritt’s Pasture, where the paved greenway gives way to a dirt path that loops around an open field.
The Carolina Campus Community Garden is in located in the West Chapel Hill Historic District.
Westwood Park in Chapel Hill, NC ia a 1 acre neighborhood park.
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Commuting around Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle
Bike lanes and Chapel Hill Transit System bus stops line West Cameron Avenue, one of the neighborhood’s main roads leading to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. City buses also stop along state Route 86, which connects to state Route 54 and U.S. Route 15-501 for commutes across the Research Triangle. Durham, home to the tech industry hub of Research Triangle Park, is roughly 13 miles away. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about a 16-mile drive.
Important to know
UNC-Chapel Hill’s Cogeneration Facility neighbors the West Chapel Hill Historic District. Local environmentalists and student climate activists have long scrutinized the natural gas and coal-burning power plant and its impact on air quality. In early 2025, the university dropped a months-long effort to test the burning of paper and plastic fuel pellets, opting to conduct a “comprehensive energy analysis” as it works to transition away from coal.
The West Chapel Hill Historic District receives a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. According to the CAP Index, the neighborhood has a higher-than-average risk of property crime.
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
Michele Marinelli,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Westwood Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Parking Lot
Morgan Creek Trail Trailhead
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
30 min drive
Bus
Cameron Avenue & Pittsboro Street
Bus
South Columbia Street & Westwood Drive
Bus
Cameron Avenue & Kenan Street
Bus
Pittsboro Street & Newman Center
Bus
Cameron Avenue & Granville Towers
Bus
Pittsboro Street & Credit Union
Bus
Cameron Avenue & Cameron Glen Drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Chapel Hill Historic District
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
West Chapel Hill Historic District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Chapel Hill Historic District, Chapel Hill sell after 196 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in West Chapel Hill Historic District, Chapel Hill over the last 12 months is $470,000.
A Timeless Classic Nestled in one of Chapel Hill's most historic and coveted neighborhoods, this stunning 100-year-old home offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of the town's rich heritage. Located just a short walk to the University of North Carolina and all the vibrant offerings of downtown, this property perfectly blends the beauty of the past with the promise of the future. More details
This unique studio apartment is located in the convenient neighborhood of Westwood - within walking distance of campus and a short bike or bus ride to Franklin St. The unit occupies the lower level of a detached garage structure, with the garage itself reserved for use by the main house. A private, lighted stairway leads down from the road to a brick patio entry, offering separation from the main
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michele Marinelli,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,805
Median Age
25
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,309
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$103,718
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
77.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
40.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
65/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
36/ 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.
