A small North Carolina city just below the Virginia state line
Less than 20 miles south of the Virginia state line, Henderson is one of the first North Carolina cities travelers pass through when driving south on Interstate 85. Although it might look unassuming to passersby, Henderson has a population of 15,000 and is the county seat of Vance County. Its small Downtown district has one iconic structure — the Henderson Fire Station and Municipal Building, which once served as a fire station and is recognizable by its brick clock tower. “The number one appeal of Henderson is proximity – to the Research Triangle, to amenities, to dining. And anything you can’t find in Henderson you can find 7 minutes away in Oxford,” says Ann Hancock, a broker with Century 21 Hancock Properties who sells homes in the area.
Variety Wholesalers is the top employer in Vance County and is headquartered in Henderson. It operates discount retail stores such as Roses, Maxaway and Big Lots and has a large warehousing presence in the area. The city is also home to Maria Parham Health, a regional hospital. “Lots of people work at Maria Parham, but also at WakeMed North Hospital and Duke University Hospital,” Hancock says, noting that many people commute about an hour south to the Research Triangle area of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill “Healthcare is huge here.
Downtown Henderson's Municipal Building still houses Fire Station No. 2.
Maria Parham Health provides an array of health care services to Henderson residents.
1/2
Late 20th century homes sell below the state median
Much of Henderson was developed in the latter half of the 20th century, with the exception of some cottages near Downtown that were built in the early 1900s. Ranch-style homes in established neighborhoods are particularly easy to come by, though some New Traditional developments and completely remodeled properties have sprung up as the population continues to boom around Raleigh and Durham. The median home price in Henderson is $250,000, well below the state median of $375,000. Townhouses sell at a median price of $210,000. Homes spend an average of 45 days on the market, on par with the national average of 44 days.
New Traditional style homes are common in the Henderson neighborhood.
Smaller cottage homes are prevalent near Downtown Henderson.
1/2
Vance County Schools offer dual enrollment at VGCC
Henderson is served by Vance County Schools, which scores a C-plus from Niche and has an enrollment of about 5,300 students. Of the district’s 10 elementary schools, E.M. Rollins Elementary and Pinkston Street Elementary are located within the city, while Eaton-Johnson Middle and Northern Vance High are both less than a mile away. The district also operates multiple additional academies that offer STEM-oriented education or early college preparation. “The charter schools here are above and beyond, but there are also private Christian schools, so you have options outside of the traditional school system,” Hancock says. Vance-Granville Community College is also just outside of town, about 5 miles east along Interstate 85. “Vance-Granville is known for its nursing program and its dual enrollment program for high school credit. That’s a big deal to parents because it can save a lot of money,” Hancock says.
Vance-Granville Community College is about 5 miles east of Henderson, NC and offers dual enrollment programs in partnership with Northern Vance High.
Niche.Com gives STEM Early High School a B+ score.
1/2
Country club greens and lake days at Kerr Lake
There are a handful of parks and playgrounds scattered around the city. Notably, Scentral Bark Dog Park is popular among pups, while Fox Pond Park offers walking trails and fishing spots. The city is home to Henderson Country Club, a private club featuring an 18-hole golf course plus tennis and pool amenities. Kerr Lake is less than 10 miles north and is the go-to place to launch a boat.
Henderson Country Club is a private club featuring an 18-hole golf course available to Henderson area residents.
Henderson residents enjoy boating on nearby Kerr Lake.
1/2
Garnett Street dining, with shopping near the highway
Henderson’s modest Downtown centers on Garnett Street, where local businesses and a couple of cafes and restaurants are housed in early 20th-century storefronts. A high concentration of chain restaurants and big-box stores line the I-85 corridor on the west end of the city, where strip malls and the local Walmart Supercenter can be found. A couple of Food Lion locations and Mexican grocers are spread across the rest of the city for convenient neighborhood access.
Vegan Mami Deli & Bodega brings an array of vegan delights and natural products to Henderson.
Food Lion is a popular grocery destination for Henderson residents.
1/2
Concerts at McGregor Hall and events in Downtown Henderson
McGregor Hall is the community’s performing arts center, bringing live performances, Broadway musicals and film screenings to Henderson. It hosts a free holiday concert featuring local artists, in addition to other educational concerts and lectures throughout the year. Other Downtown Henderson events include the annual Christmas parade, the Keep Pressing 5K race and the Way to Grow Festival which promotes local entrepreneurs and creatives.
McGregor Hall brings live performances, Broadway musicals and film screenings to Henderson
Downtown Henderson is seeing a revitalization over the past few years.
1/2
Forty miles to Raleigh via I-85
Henderson sits along Interstate 85 and U.S. Route 1, two major travel corridors. National business routes and state highways also converge in the center of the city, which many commuters use to get to work in Raleigh and Durham, which are both 40 miles away. “Interstate 85 runs all the way from Virginia to the Research Triangle, but there’s way less traffic around Henderson,” Hancock says. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is roughly 50 miles away, and Greensboro is approximately 90 miles west. Although the city currently has no passenger rail, a proposed route that would pass through Henderson — the Southeast Corridor — is currently in the planning stages. There is a Greyhound bus stop along Vanco Mill Road, and the Kerr Area Transportation Authority provides scheduled public transportation upon request through its KARTS program.
Above average crime rate and four temperate seasons
According to the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation, violent crime in Henderson increased by about 5% between 2018 and 2023, while property crime fell by 7%. FBI crime statistics show that both violent crime and property crime rates in Henderson were above national and state averages.
The city experiences four temperate seasons, with temperatures varying between 30°F and 90°F between winter and summer.
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Photography Contributed By
Kris Bates
Video By
Bob Yukich
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jenny Wenzell-Ortiz,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
🡠Historic Charm Meets Modern Living in the Old West End - Step back in time and fall in love with this meticulously maintained 1922-built bungalow, perfectly nestled in the heart of the sought-after Old West End historic district. This isn't just a house; it's a piece of local history updated for today's lifestyle, where the heavy lifting has already been completed for you. Key Features of the
**This home qualifies for special reduced interest rates & down payment assistance with preferred lender.** Gorgeous 3 bedroom Brick Ranch located in a well-established community. This lovely home sits on a half-acre lot and is located very convenient to US-1 Highway. This home features a spacious Family room with fireplace, 3 decent sized bedrooms and a Dining room with an oversized window for
Convenient LOCATION! Dabney Elementary School District! Small subdivision - NO HOA fees and NO CITY TAXES!!! This home has many updates and a brand new metal roof, less than 30 days old! The HUGE family room has rough cut cedar and oak - gives the room a warm feeling, perfect place for movie night around the gas log fireplace with a stone front. This opens to the screened porch for a quiet
You have to see this one. Spacious 3-bedroom 2 bath home close to Kerr Lake on Hwy 39 N.Enjoy your above ground pool this summer and invite your friends; there's plenty of parking on this level 2 -acre lot.The fenced in back yard offers privacy and comfort for your fur babies. The front porch offers a relaxing area right off of the main room as you enter this well-maintained
Spacious well-maintained and decorated waterfront home on beautiful Kerr Lake. Great view and your own private dock in highly desired area of the lake. Granite counter tops. Lower level has three bedrooms, a full bath, and large den / playroom. Primary bedroom and kitchen on same floor. You also have a stunning view from your large, enclosed porch and it is equipped with grill and hood to keep
Walking distance to the Henderson Country Club and golf course! Come build your dream home in one of the best neighborhoods in Henderson, on a cul-de-sac lot. The lot was recently cleared and graded to be ready for building. All utilities are available for this property. Convenient to Henderson Country Club, Shopping, Hospital, Restaurants, and I-85. . Make an offer today.
ASK ABOUT OUR ALTERNATIVE SECURITY DEPOSIT OPTIONS!Gorgeous home in a beautiful neighborhood! This spacious 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom single-family home in Henderson features: Keyless Locks, Smart Thermostat, Primary Suite, Hardwood Floors, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, Open Concept Layout, Washer/Dryer Hook-Ups, and Two-Car Garage. Kairos Living has no pet restrictions
Apply with this link : Duplex renovated in 2023 with new roof, water heater, vinyl flooring. No HOA Fees, city water and sewer. Private doorway to park so you don't have to park on street. Each unit has a private front porch with a shared back porch. Washer & dryer hook up. Tenant ready to move- in. Oven/ range and refrigerator in unit. Baseboard heat in each room for a more controlled
Property Id: 1747447- Upgraded by a House Scientist to be easy to heat and cool. You can be extremely comfortable without losing arms and legs - The built-in highly functional air purifiers remove airborne fine particulates such as pollens, spores, microplastics, etc. Results: Allergy-Friendliness, and Health Promotion- Range Hood, and 2 Bathroom Exhaust Fans vented to remove
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
