Durham Township offers rural living by the Delaware River
Established in 1775, Durham Township is a rural community that's home to about 1,000 residents. It sits along a bend of the Delaware River in Bucks County, and its agricultural roots are long lasting, with active farms and homesteading prominent in the area. "It's very private, because people just kind of pass through. There's such a sense of peace. It's beautiful, too, especially in the fall," says Meredith Campbell, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who lives in the neighboring community of Riegelsville. She's been assisting homebuyers for nearly a decade. "The rural factor is absolutely an appeal, and it shares a ton with Riegelsville, which is such a fairytale town."
Historic homes and farmland offer residential privacy and scenic views
Rolling, rural farmlands and winding roads make up the scenery in Durham Township. Its quiet atmosphere and privacy are significant factors for attracting homebuyers, according to Campbell. "You're getting more acreage, with houses being more spaced out, and some cool historic homes," Campbell says. "Taxes in Bucks County are lower than surrounding areas, too, so properties don't last on the market long." Some of the oldest renovated farmhouses in the community were built in the early 19th century, and they share streets with large brick Colonial Revival and New Traditional builds. The median sale price in Durham Township is about $900,000, compared to Bucks County's median sale price of $515,000. The township's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
River access and trails offer year-round outdoor activities
Several creeks weave their way through the township, feeding into the Delaware River, which separates Pennsylvania and New Jersey in this portion of the state. "A lot of people go tubing in the river, and kayaking," Campbell says. "You can also take out small fishing boats. Water recreation is pretty big here." Durham Township is part of the Delaware Canal Region, and residents have access to various trailheads that open onto the D&L Trail, also known as the Towpath Trail. At 165 miles, the D&L is one of the longest maintained trails in the mid-Atlantic, and Campbell notes that the trail is consistently busy with people walking their dogs and bicycling year-round. Campbell adds that residents from the township will often visit Riegelsville Borough Park to take their kids to the playground or the picnic areas.
Local farms and shops mix with nearby big-box stores
While Durham Township is primarily residential, independent businesses are also found throughout, including woodworking shops and small farms that offer local produce. Trauger's Farm Market has been selling fruits and vegetables provided by regional farmers for years. "You can head over to Easton and Bethlehem for big stores like Aldi and Walmart," Campbell says. "Riegelsville has several different restaurants that people from Durham drive in for." She mentions that the historic Riegelsville Inn, built in 1838, is a favorite in the area for its upscale American cuisine.
School district earns statewide recognition for high quality
The Palisades School District, which receives a B-plus from Niche, serves the township. Pennsylvania allows school choice within a district during an open enrollment period. In 2024, the district was awarded the Great PA Schools designation, a statewide recognition indicating that a district provides high-quality academics, financial diligence and is community oriented. There are three elementary schools within the district that kids living in Durham can attend, though the township is officially zoned to A-minus-rated Springfield Elementary. Students can move on to Palisades Middle, which gets a B-plus, before heading to B-rated Palisades High.
Highways connect township to hospitals and the airport
There are a couple of main roads that serve Durham Township, including Pennsylvania Route 212 and Pennsylvania Route 611. Both are essential for getting around the region, with Route 611 stretching over 100 miles from south Philadelphia to the Pocono Mountains. "Most people go to the St. Luke's Hospital campuses, either in Easton or Anderson," Campbell says. "It's just under a 20-minute drive." Lehigh Valley International Airport, which is 19 miles northwest, serves several major commercial airlines.
