Hardscrabble Plantation
Neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina
Durham County 27278
Hardscrabble offers park-like recreational amenities
Though there aren’t any parks in the neighborhood, living in Hardscrabble can feel like living in one big park. Between the spacious yards, the walking paths winding through patches of forest and the number of readily available athletic amenities, Hardscrabble homeowners have access to a range of outdoor recreation. Residents can swim in the pool and kids can join the neighborhood swim team. Tennis players have their pick of the four clay courts and two asphalt courts. Neighbors can meet up at the sand volleyball court, soccer field or softball field for a pickup game. Hardscrabble also caters to outdoor fun of the less strenuous variety, between its fishing ponds, picnic areas and playgrounds. For an extra fee, residents can claim a plot in the community garden.
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Students are zoned for Durham Public Schools
Durham Public Schools is rated B-plus overall by Niche. Students may attend Magnum Elementary, rated B-plus, Lucas Middle, rated C-plus, and Northern High School, rated B-minus. All schools are located outside of the neighborhood. The culinary team from Northern High won the 2025 North Carolina Jr. Chef Cook-Off with their chipotle beef and sweet potato skillet recipe, which featured locally grown ingredients. Duke University, known for its striking Collegiate Gothic architecture, highly rated academic programs and championship-winning basketball team, is about 13 miles south.
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Cul-de-sacs, big yards and tall trees
Cul-de-sacs branch out from Hardscrabble Drive, the community’s main loop. Homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s are spaced out among dense trees, which provide privacy. The neighborhood’s 285 homes tend to be at least 2,500 square feet each. These large custom builds and Colonial Revivals sit back on spacious lots, which typically span an acre or more. “The neighborhood has really big lots and the price-per-square-foot is really appealing,” Harrison says. Prices range from about $450,000 to $785,000, with an average price-per-square-foot of $209. Monthly HOA fees total $131, which cover the use and maintenance of recreational amenities.
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Making the drive to Durham
Hardscrabble is a car-dependent community. Drivers enter the neighborhood via St. Mary’s Road, and nearby Route 157 connects Hardscrabble to Durham. Residents are about 12 miles from medical care at UNC-Hospitals Hillsborough Campus and 26 miles from air travel at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.Locally owned establishments near Hardscrabble
Broken Spoke Farmstand offers soft-serve ice cream and fresh produce, and Underwood & Sons Grocery is a beloved, locally owned convenience store about 5 miles away. But for major grocery hauls, shoppers can head to Food Lion at Eno Square shopping mall. This strip mall is also home to Del Rancho Mexican Grill, which boasts a lively atmosphere and a large bar beneath hanging lights. More shopping and dining options line Main Street in downtown Durham, a pedestrian-friendly district that includes vintage clothing boutiques, trendy bars and restaurants serving international cuisines.
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Written By
Laura Copan
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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John Rines
John Rines
Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
(984) 364-8382
96 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$426,500 Price
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Linda Craft
Linda Craft
Linda Craft Team, REALTORS
(984) 459-7445
930 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$601,000 Price
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Dana Cantrell
Dana Cantrell
Coldwell Banker - HPW
(984) 368-4882
93 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$710,000 Price
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Dave Wylie
Dave Wylie
Compass -- Chapel Hill - Durham
(252) 375-8626
175 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$525,285 Price
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Rita Walia
Rita Walia
DASH Carolina
(877) 535-5618
145 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$630,000 Price
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Leigh Ann Rasberry
Leigh Ann Rasberry
Rasberry Realty LLC
(877) 845-7388
62 Total Sales
1 in Hardscrabble Plantation
$785,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
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Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Hardscrabble Plantation | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Hardscrabble Plantation Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Hardscrabble Plantation, Durham sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Hardscrabble Plantation, Durham over the last 12 months is $630,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$649,000
Median Sale Price
$630,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$630,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
18
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$214
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
258
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1996
Months of Supply
1.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,130
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
45,738
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
647
Median Age
53
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$137,500
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$160,402
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
74.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.8%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
17
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5
/ 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.
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A golf-course community known for its family-friendly atmosphere
Eno
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Croasdaile
Country club amenities and modern luxury homes in a peaceful Durham suburb
Little River
A rural township outside of Hillsborough with a park and nature center
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