$776,178Average Value$293Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Duke Forest's academic beginnings
Prestigious education and abundant nature meet in Duke Forest, just east of Duke University’s main campus. In the 1920s, the university began purchasing farms and forestland, ultimately creating the 7,000-acre Duke Forest, now used for research and public enjoyment. The residential pocket under the same name wasn’t developed until the 1940s when an influx of professors needed a place to call home. “It formed when Duke University was newer on the scene and couldn't compete with the Ivy Leagues in terms of salary,” says Larry Tollen, broker & team leader at My NC Homes. Tollen, a former resident of the neighborhood, paraphrases the thinking at the time: "We can’t quite match a salary like Harvard, but we’ll give you 1/3 of an acre to put your home if you sign with us.” But today, anyone can reside in this midcentury community outside of downtown Durham.
Duke University is a private institution that was founded in 1838.
Duke Forest is a forest managed by Duke University for research,
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Midcentury styles on large forested lots
The neighborhood is populated with 1950s through 70s ranch-style and raised ranch-style homes. There are also some newer houses built in the early 2000s. As the name implies, properties are separated by larger lots with dense foliage. The quiet, private streets do not have sidewalks. "It's a strong market," says Wendy Tanson, a Realtor with Nest Realty who has worked in Durham for over 20 years. “Everything is selling quickly, especially the midcentury homes. Those are usually more expensive, too.” Single-family homes range from around $500,000 to just over $1 million. There is one townhouse community in the neighborhood, and in 2024, only one townhouse sold for $350,000. Just over 50% of residents are renters.
Most homes are surrounded by trees in the Duke Forest neighborhood.
Homes are hiiden by old growth forest in the Duke Forest neighborhood.
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From Durham County Public Schools to Duke University
Lakewood Elementary receives a C grade on Niche, while Lakewood Middle earns an A-minus. Jordan High has an overall B-plus grade and offers 25 Advanced Placement courses, including African American studies and art history. They also have the Agriscience Pathway Program, which allows students to study topics like animal science and horticulture. Durham County Public Schools serve Duke Forest, and school assignments are highly dependent on zoning and can change from year to year. Parents may enter a lottery system for their kids to attend alternative schools.
Duke University offers 63 undergraduate programs and over 80 departments for graduate students. And scholars aren’t the only ones who can explore the school’s gothic-style campus. Anyone can visit the Nasher Museum of Art to see photos by Andy Warhol or the permanent contemporary gallery.
Durham, NC's Lakewood Elementary serves children in grades Pre-K through 5th grade.
Anyone can visit the Nasher Museum of Art in the Duke Forest neighborhood.
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Walking along the Al Buelhler Trail
The 3-mile Al Buelhler Trail borders the neighborhood. "People love the accessibility to the trails," Tanson says. "Moving between your home and the park grounds is easy." Duke Forest is next to Duke Golf Club. The 18-hole public course opened in 1957 and has a winding terrain covered in towering pines and babbling streams. Wrightwood Park is a 12-acre green space with a baseball field and playground that was recently updated in 2021. Cornwallis Road Park sits on nearly 20 acres and features basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment and a playground. The Levin Jewish Community Center has a health and wellness center where members can utilize outdoor pools and group exercise classes.
The Al Buehler Trail in Duke Forest is a great place for a jog.
Duke Golf Club’s 18-hole public course is located in Duke Forest.
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Pure Soul's plant-based menu and downtown dining
“All along that U.S. 15-501 corridor that connects Duke Forest to Chapel Hill, it’s nothing but shopping centers and car dealerships,” Tollen says. “There are ample shopping opportunities.” This includes South Square, a shopping plaza with a Target and Sam’s Club. In addition to shopping, there’s a handful of restaurants and Angel Island Fun Park, an indoor adventure center for kids. Pure Soul is a highly-rated local restaurant with an entirely plant-based menu of vegan comfort food, including macaroni and cheese and pulled pork. Restaurants are scattered along Chapel Hill Road, bordering the neighborhood — Taqueria La Vaquita? is a quaint spot with authentic Mexican food. Food Lion, located in Lakewood Shopping Center, is farther up the road.
For more options, Duke Forest residents head to the heart of the city. “For dining and arts events, they’re going to downtown Durham,” Tollen says. “It’s barely 10 minutes.” Residents can catch a show at The Carolina Theatre or the Durham Performing Arts Center there.
Pure Soul serves up great vegan food in the Duke Forest neighborhood.
You can find a Target in South Square Plaza in Duke Forest.
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North Carolina highways and GoDurham bus stops abound
“It’s a central location,” Tanson says. “There’s a ton of convenient places on campus, like the museums and the Duke University Hospital.” Whether drivers take Interstate 85, North Carolina Highway 751 or North Carolina Highway 147, downtown Durham is less than 8 miles east of the neighborhood. Residents will also find several GoDurham Transit bus stops sprinkled across the area. Raleigh-Durham International is about a 14-mile drive. “The best thing about the entire triangle is that it’s just 90 minutes to the beach but also only a two-hour drive to the mountains,” Tollen says. The neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 7 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4.
Downtown Durham is less than 8 miles from Duke Forest.
Duke Forest resident can find a few GoDurham Transit bus stops across the neighborhood.
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.
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On average, homes in Duke Forest, Durham sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Duke Forest, Durham over the last 12 months is $740,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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