Cheeks has farms, forests and a strong sense of community
Traveling around Cheeks, one would find what most rural townships have in North Carolina: large swaths of trees broken up by sprawling longtime family farms, fenced pastures with horses nibbling on grass and small clusters of local businesses sitting on hilly country roads. What sets it apart is the tenacity of its people. “Everyone here is very passionate about building up Efland-Cheeks. Even the kids want to help out and volunteer,” says Kimya Swann, the executive director of United Voices of Efland Cheeks, a grassroots nonprofit providing community services and programs that wouldn’t be available here without it. Swann, who’s lived in the area all her life, says Cheeks has the expected small-town feel, “Everybody knows everybody pretty much, and if you don’t know them, someone you know probably knows them.” The community is northwest of Durham, squarely between the smaller city of Mebane and the town of Hillsborough. With Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70 a few miles from any home, residents are just as close to a day on the water at Lake Michael as they are to name-brand shops at the Tanger Outlets.
Cheeks Township in Orange County is a predominantly rural community known for its peaceful landscapes, strong local spirit, and mix of farmland and residential neighborhoods.
Enjoy ice cream with friends at Muffin’s Ice Cream Shoppe, just a short drive from the Cheeks neighborhood in downtown Mebane.
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New subdivisions near Mebane and rural farmhouses throughout
Single-family homes in Cheeks either rest in subdivisions with wide streets or stand alone on two-lane country roads deep in the woods. “Mebane has been getting busier, and there are new developments on the outskirts now,” says Haylee Henry, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston who lives and works around the Hillsborough-Mebane area. “But Cheeks is still quieter, and some homes are pretty rural.” Cottages, farmhouses and ranch-style homes are most common, but there are a growing number of Craftsman-inspired neotraditional designs. Most homes cost between $185,000 to $659,000. However, properties on 10 or more acres range from $790,000 to $950,000. Townhouses start around $255,000 and can reach up to $380,000.
Residents in new developments have quick access to trails and green spaces in Cheeks.
In Cheeks, some homes sit on spacious lots and are set back from the road, offering added privacy and a peaceful residential feel.
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A cross-town rivalry between Cedar Ridge and Orange high schools
Orange County Schools earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has about 6,900 students across 13 schools. Four elementary schools serve Cheeks, including Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary, which receives a C-plus. The magnet school has a curriculum focused on global equity and feeds into the C-plus-rated Gravelly Hill Middle. Homes in the southern half of the community are zoned for the A-minus-rated Cedar Ridge High. The local newspaper, The News of Orange, regularly chronicles the school’s competitive rivalry with the B-plus-rated Orange High, which serves the northern half of Cheeks. Nearby alternative options include the Eno River Academy, which is an A-rated charter school, and Hillsborough Christian Academy, a private school not yet rated by Niche.
With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, Efland-Cheeks Elementary provides personalized attention in a diverse learning environment.
With easy access to Hillsborough and Mebane, Orange High School provides students from Cheeks a convenient and well-rated educational option.
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Efland-Cheeks Park serves as a community hub
Several parks and protected natural areas dot Cheeks, including Efland-Cheeks Park and Community Center, where two lighted basketball courts sit beside a baseball field and a playground. The community center has amenities such as a fitness room and desktop computers. It’s also the headquarters for United Voices of Efland Cheeks, which has been providing community outreach from food drives to tutoring programs since 1994. “We have a huge Easter egg hunt. This year, we put out 6,000 eggs, and they were all picked up in three minutes by 200 kids,” Swann says. “We also hand out backpacks in August and we do a senior dinner for Christmas.”
Cheeks is also home to Lake Michael Park, which features a 60-acre lake for fishing, kayaking and boating. Trails wind through the park, offering views of the water below. Normally this park is a bustling with visitors, however, it’s closed for now as crews rebuild the lake’s spillway and dam. The project faced a setback in July 2025 when heavy rains form Tropical Depression Chantal damaged the dam.
Efland-Cheeks Park in Cheeks features an indoor multipurpose community center that hosts a variety of programs and activities for all ages.
Lake Michael in Cheeks offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities, making it a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts and weekend adventurers.
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A new coffee shop complements long-running restaurants in Efland
Considered an Efland staple, longtime restaurant Missy’s Grill serves burgers, breakfast sandwiches and barbecue plates through its walk-up window off Mount Willing Road. “If you live in Efland, you’ve eaten at Missy’s,” Swann says. “We’ve been going since I was a toddler.” Nearby, the menu is in the name at Burritaco Burger Grill, known for its burritos, tacos and burgers. Its casual dining space features red leather booths and a checkered floor. Beautifully Blended Coffee Company is a new addition, offering coffee and breakfast. Swann says residents often shop at the Walmart Supercenter and Food Lion in Hillsborough. More big-box stores and the Tanger Outlets are in Mebane . A common weekend activity here is visiting a house of worship. Swann notes that Route 70 tends to be busier on Sundays. “There are a lot of churches within a 10-mile radius. A couple of them are literally across from each other,” Swann says.
Missy’s Grill in Cheeks serves up classic comfort food, including burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and barbecue plates in a casual, hometown setting.
Tanger Outlets Mall, located near Cheeks, features a wide selection of popular stores and brand-name retailers.
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Cheeks is car-dependent with some access to public transportation
Residents in Cheeks typically drive to get around. I-40 and Route 70 connect commuters to Chapel Hill , about 15 miles away, and Durham's City Center , roughly 19 miles away. Research Triangle Park, a major research and innovative employment hub, is around a 26-mile drive. Raleigh is the farthest commute at a little over 41 miles. A few warehouses and distribution centers offer work within Cheeks. Orange County Public Transportation provides bus service around the region. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 30 miles away. UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus is the closest full-service hospital.
Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70 make for easy rides into downtown Durham, 19 miles away from Cheeks.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a 30 mile drive from the Cheeks neighborhood.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Regan
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