This central North Carolina textile town is now a growing commuter city
Graham is a city riding central North Carolina’s wave of growth. Sitting just east of the larger city of Burlington, Graham is in an attractive location. It’s nearly equal distance between the booming Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill and the rising Piedmont Triad of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, drawing in commuters looking for a small-town atmosphere. “A lot of what you see on TV whenever you see your Hallmark towns, Graham embodies that,” says Assistant City Manager Aaron Holland, referring to the city’s charming downtown square where an old-fashioned drugstore sits next to a lively bar and arcade.
“Graham, in the last 10 to 15 years, has started to change,” says Holland. “Up to that point, we were mostly longtime families, but we’ve become more transient. We’re seeing an influx of younger people and young families.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Graham’s population was roughly 14,000 in 2010. That number now surpasses 18,000. A repurposed hosiery mill nods to the city’s history as a textile town. Manufacturing remains a major industry today.
Established in 1851, Graham is a town in North Carolina.
Wrike Drugs, located in downtown Graham, is a local favorite.
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From century-old homes to brand-new builds
The median price for a single-family home is around $350,000, less than the national median of about $400,000. Historic cottages, Cape Cods and bungalows line the tree-shaded blocks hugging downtown Graham. Brick ranch-style homes stretch out on grassy lots throughout the city. Craftsman-inspired Modern Transitional homes and townhouses fill newly developed subdivisions on the city’s southern and eastern edges.
Graham experiences four distinct seasons and can be impacted by tropical weather during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June through November. Flooding is possible with the Haw River to the east and creeks throughout the area.
The introduction of new traditional homes is contributing to Graham's growth.
In Graham, a cottage-style home is situated on a spacious lot.
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Shopping small in Court Square
The Alamance County Courthouse stands tall in Graham’s city center, a nationally registered historic district often called Courthouse Square. Colorful murals with positive messages brighten longstanding brick storefronts in this downtown area, home to coffee shops and boutique businesses. From Salvadoran and Mexican cuisine to American fare, the city’s restaurant scene is diverse. But the barbecue from Smokehouse at Steve's draws in foodies from around the region. Grocery and pharmacy chains dot South Main Street, but bigger retailers are a short drive into Burlington. The Tanger Outlets, hosting over two dozen name-brand stores, is less than 10 miles away in Mebane.
The Alamance County Courthouse serves as the centerpiece in downtown Graham.
Annual Downtown Graham Pumpkin Bash and a beloved second-run theater
The heart of Graham turns into a citywide Halloween party for the annual Downtown Graham Pumpkin Bash. As the biggest event of the year, it fills the downtown blocks with thousands of costumed trick-or-treaters who go from vendor to vendor, adding to their candy hauls. The city is bringing back Arts Around the Square in May 2025 for the first time in about two decades. The street festival-style event creates a space for area artists and musicians to share their work with the community.
Downtown Graham anchors the local creative scene. Along with hosting concerts in the Graham Amphitheater, it’s home to the Alamance Arts organization. Film buffs regularly visit Graham Cinema. “What I love the most is that you’re able to watch something that was in theaters a couple of months ago, or they’re showing ‘E.T.’,” Holland says.
The Alamance Arts organization sponsors vibrant sculptures showcasing Graham's love for art.
Graham Cinema presents the latest movie releases for your entertainment.
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Child-friendly adventures at Graham Regional Park
City parks range from expansive green spaces to small neighborhood playgrounds and sports-focused facilities. Dense woods hug Graham Regional Park, where a paved multi-use path loops around a youth challenge course and zipline. Down the street from Graham High School, Bill Cooke Park is the destination for tennis and baseball. Several access points allow outdoor adventurers to get out on the Haw River, which is popular for kayaking, while those who love to fish visit Graham-Mebane Lake, a municipal reservoir a few miles outside the city. The Challenge Golf Club offers a public 18-hole course over rolling hills.
Friends from Graham relish a sunny afternoon at Regional Park.
The Haw River near Graham is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking.
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The Alamance-Burlington School System and a private school in town
The Alamance-Burlington School System serves Graham and receives an overall rating of B from Niche. The district has more than 20,000 students learning in its 38 schools. Graham is home to Alamance Christian School, a B-rated private school. Alamance Community College’s Carrington-Scott campus is in town, offering associate’s degrees and workforce training.
Alamance Community College in Graham boasts a contemporary campus.
The Alamance-Burlington School System, serving Graham, earns a B rating from Niche.
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Commuting between the Triad and the Triangle
Interstate 40 courses through Graham, which commuters use to reach Greensboro, about 25 miles west, and Durham, roughly 30 miles east. Both cities host international airports offering nonstop flights to destinations such as Washington, D.C., New York and Miami. Link Transit buses provide service around town and to cities across Alamance County. While Graham is primarily car-dependent, the city is investing in pedestrian infrastructure downtown as part of the 2024 Graham Pedestrian Plan. “We’re going to have some flashing beacons and improve the look of the brick crosswalks. We’re forward-thinking but also incorporating the historic nature of the area,” Holland says.
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