$453,065Average Value$253Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Rockwood is an automobile suburb blending nature with midcentury charm
Hidden in the woods off U.S. Route 15-501 in South Durham, Rockwood is an established neighborhood known for its midcentury homes and accessibility. “It’s a quiet area, convenient to downtown with lots of great shopping and restaurants,” says Jenny Barber, a lifelong Durhamite and Realtor with Allen Tate. She adds that this walkable neighborhood is home to a mix of young families and longtime residents. “You’ve got turnover of people who’ve lived there since the 1950s and 1960s.” Developed in the early 20th century as one of Bull City’s automobile suburbs – the name given to those areas specifically designed to facilitate residents’ commuting to work via their cars – Rockwood features a namesake park on its eastern edge. The neighborhood’s design creates a secluded feel while still being close to one of the most traveled roads in the city. “It has beautiful tree-lined streets, and the homes have a lot of charm and character,” Barber says.
In Rockwood, a vibrant home boasts a beautifully manicured lawn.
Rockwood is just minutes away from Durham's city center.
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Single-family homes close to Duke University
Rockwood’s wide streets gently curve as they climb over rolling hills. While there are no sidewalks, it’s common to see residents out for a walk or jog. Mature trees hug the single-family homes here, ranging from small bungalows, Cape Cods and Tudor-inspired cottages to spacious Colonial Revivals, ranch-style homes and midcentury modern dwellings. The neighborhood’s original houses were mostly built in the 1950s and 1960s, but newer sections, like East Shoreham Street, feature New Traditional homes from the early 2000s. Lots are typically around a third of an acre, and are neatly landscaped with flower beds and shrubs. Home prices typically fall between $500,000 and $800,000. Townhouses are available from $215,000 to around $235,000.
In Rockwood, a modernized brick ranch home stands out.
In Rockwood, a split-level home showcases a charming bay window.
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Popular restaurants and shops within walking distance
Some of Durham’s locally loved restaurants and shops are situated in the neighborhood along University Drive and U.S. Route 15-501. The Original Q Shack has been a Bull City staple for Texas and Western Carolina-style barbecue for more than 20 years. A self-described neighborhood restaurant, Nana’s is another longtime eatery, serving elevated New American dishes in its refined dining room. More well-known eateries are nearby, including Guglhupf, a German restaurant and bakery, and Foster’s Market. “Sarah Foster used to work for Martha Stewart. It’s great for breakfast or lunch,” Barber says of the Durham dining staple.
Along with boutiques like Rumors, a used clothing store, the Rockwood Center is home to several bars. The Boot Room is a trendy pub for watching televised soccer matches with a sandwich or burger. Starpoint Brewing pours pints of its small-batch IPAs, while the taps at Beer Study next door feature an array of craft brew options. National retailers and grocery stores like Target, The Fresh Market and Harris Teeter are roughly two miles away. “Go a little farther west, and you get to the big South Point Mall,” Barber adds, referring to The Streets at Southpoint mall, home to more than 150 retailers and restaurants.
The Original Q Shack is a beloved local spot in Rockwood.
Rumors buys and sells second-hand items in Rockwood.
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A neighborhood park and other green spaces in South Durham
Visiting the neighborhood’s namesake park is a part of daily life for many in Rockwood. Much of this green space, featuring a playground and basketball court, is hidden among dense woods. A trail weaves through towering trees and over a creek for quiet walks in nature. Rockwood Park was intentionally built in a low-lying floodplain like many of Durham's parks. Because of this, it can flood after heavy rainfall.
Several other parks in South Durham provide places to exercise and explore nature. Forest Hills Park is a summer hotspot for its pool and splash pad, while Southern Boundaries Park has courts and fields for tennis, baseball and basketball. It also has an access point for the Third Fork Creek Trail, one of two greenways close to the neighborhood.
Friends from Rockwood gather for an afternoon pickup game at Southern Boundaries Park.
Residents of Rockwood enjoy strolling along the Third Fork Creek Trail.
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Schools and universities near Rockwood
Along with neighborhood schools, Durham Public Schools offers the option to apply for a specialty school or program within an assigned region; Niche gives the district a B-plus overall rating. Rockwood is in the Southwest region. Most of the neighborhood is zoned for C.C. Spaulding Elementary, which receives a C-minus, and Sherwood Githens Middle, which gets a B. All of Rockwood can attend the B-plus-rated C.E. Jordan High, where students can learn skills in podcasting and filmmaking at the Jordan Innovation Lab.
The A-plus-rated Durham Academy and Mount Zion Christian Academy, earning a B-plus, are nearby private options. Duke University and North Carolina Central University are a few miles from Rockwood. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is about 10 miles away.
CC Spaulding Elementary has around 250 students.
Sherwood Githens Middle located in Durham, NC and serves about 925 students.
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Multiple ways to get around the Research Triangle
Rockwood commuters can drive their own cars, or they can catch a GoDurham bus along U.S. Route 15-501 to reach Chapel Hill, less than 10 miles away, and Downtown Durham, about 2 miles away. No highway driving is necessary to reach the hundreds of companies at Research Triangle Park, roughly 7 miles southeast. However, Interstate 885 typically provides the fastest route to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. University Drive and the 15-501 are bike-friendly, and the American Tobacco Trail is a nearby greenway, providing miles of paved paths through the city.
Important to know
Rockwood receives a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. 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
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Rockwood
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Rockwood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Rockwood, Durham sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Rockwood, Durham over the last 12 months is $675,000, up 66% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
