$634,975Average Value$388Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Historic Durham community between Duke University and Ninth Street
Old West Durham is one of Durham’s oldest neighborhoods, with lifestyles of the 19th century centered around quiet farming, rowdy tobacco trading and the constant hum of the cotton mill. As Durham’s economic development changed with the growth of Duke University, the neighborhood has remained at the heart of the action, situated 3 miles west of Durham’s city center. Today, Old West Durham lies directly across from Duke University Hospital, a highly esteemed teaching hospital and trauma center, specializing in pediatric care and cardiology, among other disciplines. The neighborhood borders Duke University’s East and Main campuses; Duke is a private research institution known for its academic rigor, neogothic architecture and nationally ranked basketball team. “A lot of Duke students and employees live in the neighborhood or nearby,” says Miles Honeycutt, who builds and sells homes in the neighborhood as the owner of Longleaf Building & Restoration and Longleaf Realty. “Old West Durham’s biggest perks are walkability to urban amenities and Duke.” Homeowners can also bike to Ninth Street’s locally owned shops and restaurants or to the LGBTQ Center of Durham. Homes in the neighborhood range widely, from early 20th century cottages to contemporary new builds. “There have been no major changes to the housing market lately, just a slow uptick over the last 20 years,” Honeycutt says.
There is a lot to experience in the Old West Durham neighborhood including a variety of restaurants and shops.
You can find many houses of worship within the Old West Durham neighborhood.
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The restaurants and retailers of Ninth Street Business District
Ninth Street is lined with locally owned businesses within walking distance of neighborhood homes. The Regulator Bookshop, easily spotted thanks to its red door, is a small local spot with a variety of book genres. Cafés like Cocoa Cinnamon and Monuts supply their customers, many of whom are students, with caffeinated beverages and freshly baked treats. Restaurants serve a variety of international cuisines, from Mediterranean to Japanese. Guasaca South American Grill prepares homemade arepas for guests to enjoy in vibrant indoor and outdoor dining areas. For a more formal brunch and dinner option, Vin Rouge serves gourmet French fare. With Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods in the neighborhood, residents have their choice of convenient supermarkets.
Erwin Mill was a textile mill and has been converted to a shopping center and apartments on Ninth Street in the Old West Durham neighborhood.
The shops on 9th Street are a popular destination for Old West Durham families.
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Public and private schools in Durham
Students living in Old West Durham are zoned for Durham Public Schools, which Niche rates B-plus overall. E. K. Powe Elementary, rated B, is located in the neighborhood. Students may advance to Brogden Middle, rated C, and Riverside High, rated B-plus. Riverside High participates in the nationwide Project Lead the Way initiative devoted to STEM; students enrolled in Pathway to Engineering courses may earn college credit. Alternatively, Camelot Academy, rated A-plus, is a private option for kindergarteners through seniors.
E.K. Powe Elementary School receives and overall grade of B from Niche.
Brogden Middle School serves nearly 700 students in the Raleigh, NC area.
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Diverse architectural styles of Old West Durham
Old West Durham’s gridded streets are lined with sidewalks, power lines and compact yards with leafy trees. The neighborhood association is active, with plans to create a new pocket garden and improve infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. The residential landscape is a combination of 21st century contemporary builds and early-to-mid-20th century bungalows, with some Craftsman cottages, Colonial Revivals, duplexes and apartment complexes. Prices range from about $375,000 to $1.2 million, depending on size and age. Multifamily homes cost between about $375,000 and $565,000. Between the homes and apartment complexes, over three-quarters of residents rent.
Navigating the city of Durham
Durham Freeway is the neighborhood’s southern border, which cuts across the city and connects drivers to Interstate 85. Three miles east down Main Street, Durham’s city center is home to bars, The Carolina Theatre and the Durham Train Station. GoDurham buses, which are free for youth and college students, take passengers to the Durham Train Station, Duke Hospital, Main Campus and East Campus. Air travel at Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 16 miles away.
Notes on noise, safety and weather in Old West Durham
Within Old West Durham, it can get loud along the main roads, railroad tracks and commercial areas. The neighborhood’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4, while theft-related crime scores peak at 8. Additionally, summers in Durham are typically hot and humid.
Proximity to Duke University’s botanical garden and rec center
Residents can walk to Sarah P. Duke Gardens to explore Duke University’s 55-acre botanical landscape. Trails spanning 5 miles wind past bright pink tulips and purple irises, a koi pond and decorative water fountains. Construction on the new Garden Gateway entrance is ongoing through spring of 2026, which means the parking lots, visitor center and main entrance are closed. However, the gardens remain open daily, and regularly host programming for all ages, like botany lectures and storytimes in English and Spanish. Students, faculty and others affiliated with Duke can use Brodie Recreation Center on East Campus; memberships grant access to the rec center’s gym, saunas, basketball courts and other facilities. Just north of the neighborhood, Hillandale Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course that hosts community events and tournaments throughout the year and offers junior instruction.
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
Carla Sevilla,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
25 min drive
Bus
Shops & Erwin Mill
Bus
Rutherford St & Hillsborough Rd
Bus
Ninth St & Safeway St
Bus
Hillsborough Rd & Lawndale Ave (Wb)
Bus
Hillsborough Rd & Trent Dr (Wb)
Bus
Hillsborough Rd & Trent Dr (Eb)
Bus
Hillsborough Rd & 9th St
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old West Durham
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old West Durham Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old West Durham, Durham sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Old West Durham, Durham over the last 12 months is $552,500, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into this beautiful and classic 1930's bungalow in Old West Durham. It has all the architectural details you love with the modern updates you want. High ceilings make this bungalow feel airy & spacious. Original FP mantel surrounded by built-in bookshelves & cozy window seat highlight the primary bedroom. Happily work from home in the intimate sun drenched office. Spacious eat-in
LOOKING FOR A FIXER UPPER? Lots of potential in this 2 BR, 1 Bath bungalow in Old West Durham area. Currently in close to original condition, this home features kitchen, LR, DR and laundry porch. Shared driveway. This home is being sold ''as is'' and is priced accordingly Seller will make no repairs. See private remarks for additional information.
Bright, airy, and full of charm—this immaculately maintained 2BR/1.5BA top-floor condo in a quiet quadplex offers the perfect blend of privacy and walkable city living in highly desirable Watts-Hillandale. Tucked among the trees, this unit lives like a private treehouse, with large windows inviting in beautiful natural light throughout the day.Enjoy a spacious open-concept living and dining area,
Location, style, and functionality come together in this nearly new gem just blocks from Duke University and Duke Hospital. Built in 2024, this thoughtfully designed home features 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths, offering space, flexibility, and even potential for roommate income. High-quality finishes include site-finished oak hardwood floors, a chef's kitchen with quartz countertops, soft-close
Located minutes from everything Downtown Durham has to offer, our Avalon Durham community offers new studio to three-bedroom apartment homes with dens (in select homes) designed to maximize space, featuring kitchens with quartz countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, and hard surface flooring throughout. Our technology package, AvalonConnect, offers pre-installed
AVAILABLE JUNE 2, 2024. Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom 2 bath duplex in the heart of popular Watts Hillandale/Old West Durham neighborhoods. Great location near Duke, Duke Hospital and 9th St./Broad St. business districts and several city parks. Open floor plan with hardwood floors throughout. Kitchen features stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Master bedroom has private bath.
Downtown Durham is a destination where artists, scholars and innovators from around the world can connect. Positioned two blocks from Duke University is 810 Ninth Street, a brand-new, mid-rise community of one, two and three bedroom apartments finished with contemporary aesthetics and modern appliances. Near your home are a wide range of premium amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carla Sevilla,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,860
Median Age
33
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,651
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,717
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
College Graduates
82%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
37.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
81/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
81/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
61/ 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.
