A mix of historic, artsy and rural in The Triangle
As the oldest section of North Carolina's Research Triangle, Hillsborough blends history with creativity and outdoor adventure. This small town along the Eno River and in the shadow of Occoneechee Mountain was established in 1754, but this community’s story started well before. It was first a village for the Occaneechi people. Nonprofits, including The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, are preserving and uncovering this once-forgotten piece of the town’s past with projects, such as the Full Story initiative that uplifts Black and Indigenous voices. “Some stories have gone undiscovered or unheard over time,” says Amanda Boyd, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Telling the full story is one of our project initiatives to counterbalance that and tell local stories from local people.”
Today, Hillsborough is home to nearly 10,000 people, some of whom are descendants of the Occaneechi tribe. Dotted with public art, this community has become a sanctuary for creators and is well-known for the beginnings of NASCAR, well-preserved Colonial and Revolutionary War-era architecture and an affinity for barbecue.
With Chapel Hill about 12 miles south, many residents work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The university and the UNC Health System are top employers for Orange County, and UNC Hospitals has a campus in Hillsborough. Healthcare and education are the town’s top industries, and commuting to the tech businesses in Research Triangle Park in Durham is common for this region.
Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough is a great place to see local artist.
Commuting to Research Triangle Park is is common for people in Hillsborough.
UNC and the UNC Health System are top employers for Orange County and Hillsborough.
UNC is a 5 minute drive from Meadowmont.
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Homes, from historical to modern
Home prices across the Research Triangle are rising, including in Hillsborough, where the average sale price has risen 5% between 2023 and 2024. As of October 2024, the median home price is $495,000, compared to the national average of $416,700. But buyers will find a wide range of price points, from investment properties starting at $100,000 to custom builds on several acres going for over $1 million. “The current market is certainly picking up,” says Kellie Garrett, a new homes consultant with Davidson Homes. “There’s a lot of activity in Hillsborough, and the area continues to grow.” Homes sell on average after 40 days on the market, which is on par with the national average of 44 days. Craftsman homes dot the Waterstone neighborhood, while new builds are found in the Collins Ridge subdivision. The Historic District features renovated bungalows, ranch-style homes and some preserved Colonials. With the Eno River flowing through Hillsborough, many homes have a risk of flooding. Homeowners are encouraged to purchase flood insurance as most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
Hillsborough is actually one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, founded in 1754.
Hillsborough Historic District is a national historic district located at Hillsborough,NC.
Hillsborough is a 20 minute drive to downtown Durham,NC.
Craftsman homes dot the Waterstone neighborhood in Hillsborough, NC.
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Strolling alongside the Eno River
The Riverwalk Greenway is one of the most used green spaces in town. This 3-mile urban greenway runs alongside the Eno River and is a small piece of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. In addition to exercise, the greenway is a key pedestrian path between several neighborhoods. Gold Park is accessible from the trail. With 24 acres, it features a multi-purpose field, playground equipment, a dog park and a pavilion. One of the most visually striking elements of the park is its pollinator garden and bee hotel, built after Hillsborough became the 35th designated Bee City in the nation in 2016. The town hugs Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, a habitat believed to have been preserved since the last ice age. While hiking to the tallest point in Orange County or fishing in one of the two ponds, adventurers may be able to catch sight of the brown elfin, a rare butterfly native to the area. Hillsborough is home to Occoneechee Speedway, one of NASCAR’s last remaining dirt speedways from its inaugural season in 1949. The track was originally a horse track. Today, it’s a walking trail.
A proposal to build an accessible greenway called the Ridgewalk is in the design phase. Current plans indicate that part of it will be a raised boardwalk and railroad crossing connecting downtown to a future train station. Barring delays, this first section of the greenway will be completed around the same time as the new train station in 2028. Later phases would extend the trail to Cates Creek Park in the Waterstone neighborhood, which now has a new skatepark that opened in July 2024.
The Riverwalk is a paved, urban greenway located in downtown Hillsborough.
A small part of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail runs through Hillsborough
You can run or walk around the old track at Historic Occoneechee Speedway Hillsborough.
Cates Creek Park, in Hillsborough has a skateboard park.
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Longtime local businesses and the Hillsborough Hog Day BBQ Festival
Along downtown's West King Street, Hillsborough has a thriving creative scene with boutiques, gift shops and galleries showcasing works from independent artists. Many establishments here have been around for a while, such as Saratoga Grill, serving seafood for over 25 years. Since 2003, residents have frequented Wooden Nickel Pub to sip a draft beer in their communal outdoor seating space. Hillsborough BBQ Company is a local favorite, serving pit-cooked pork barbecue and traditional fixings, including hushpuppies. While it’s better known for its abundance of locally owned restaurants and shops, there are a few chain stores, such as Walmart and Food Lion.
Starting in 1983, the Hillsborough Hog Day BBQ Festival brings together masterful chefs and offers a taste of the town’s signature barbecue over two days each September. Meanwhile, the Handmade Parade is a Mardi Gras-style outdoor party with elaborate costumes, live music and stilt-walkers and giant puppets roaming about. Holiday gatherings include Halloween spirit tours led by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and a lantern walk celebrating the winter solstice. The abundance of farms in town lends itself to the Eno River Farmers Market, open year-round on Saturdays.
South Churton Street in downtown Hillsborough, NC is home to many local stores and restaurants.
For more than 25 years Saratoga Grill has been serving greta food in downtown Hillsborough.
The Wooden Nickel has been the neighborhood pub of Hillsborough since 2003.
Hillsborough BBQ Company combines traditional regional specialties with unconventional options.
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Easy access to The Triangle and beyond
Interstates 85 and 40 pass through the town for direct routes to Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Orange County operates several fixed bus routes accessible from Hillsborough, including the Hillsborough Circulator, a free bus system that loops around town, and the Orange-Durham Express or ODX, which provides a direct route to Durham in the mornings and evenings. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 27 miles away.
Town officials are working with the state and Amtrak to build a train station on a 20-acre site along Hillsboro’s railroad corridor. Planning and design work is underway, with construction to start in 2027.
Interstates 85 and 40 pass through Hillsborough making commuting easy.
RDU, is an international airport that serves Raleigh, Durham, and is close to Hillsborough.
Fare-free buses run throughout Hillsborough.
Hillsborough officials are working with the state and Amtrak to build a train station.
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Achievement at Orange County Schools
Orange County Schools serves 7,200 Hillsborough students and earns an overall grade of B-plus from Niche. The district is seeing recent success with 12 of 13 schools meeting or exceeding achievement and growth expectations for the 2023-2024 school year. Hillsborough Elementary and Cedar Ridge High, both earning A-minus ratings, are two standout schools. Hillsborough Elementary operates on a year-round schedule and accepts School of Choice applications, while Cedar Ridge High offers an International Baccalaureate program. Hillsborough is home to Orange County’s alternative high school, Partnership Academy. The town also has several private schools for young children, including Pinewoods Montessori and Little School of Hillsborough.
Hillsborough Elementary is a public school located in Hillsborough, NC.
Cedar Ridge High It is one of two high schools in the Orange County, NC in Hillsborough.
Partnership academy serves around 30 students in grades 9-12 in Hillsborough, NC.
Pinewoods Montessori School is a private school located in Hillsborough, NC.
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A city with a low rate of crime
Hillsborough receives a CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. In 2023, Hillsborough Police investigated 31 incidents of violent crime and 438 property crimes, compared to 50 incidents of violent crime and nearly 600 property crimes in 2022.
Hillsborough’s green investments
Several projects are in the works for Hillsborough, including widening South Churton Street from I-40 to the Eno River, renovating the aging Adron F. Thompson Water/Sewer Facility that dates to the 1930s, and repairing sewer lines in the Lawndale Basin in the northern part of town.
Sustainability and protecting the environment are important pillars of the Hillsborough community. Homeowners can convert their lawns to pollinator habitats, much like the pollinator gardens found at local parks. The town is tackling stormwater runoff through raised garden beds, cisterns and vegetated ditches along roadways. In addition to being a Bee City, Hillsborough is also a Tree City, committed to urban forestry.
Hillsborough experiences all four seasons with hot and humid summers. Winters are typically mild, but the town usually receives a few inches of snow each year.
Hillsborough is in the process of replacing sewer lines from the 1930's.
As a designated Bee City, Hillsborough has bee hotels throughout the city.
Sustainability is an important pillars of the Hillsborough community.
Several projects are in the works for Hillsborough, including widening South Churton Street.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Regan
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shanti Holloway,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Hillsborough, NC sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Hillsborough, NC over the last 12 months is $510,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The newly finished hardwood floors are spectacular, light, fresh, come see them! Room to Breathe. Room to Spread Out. Room for What's Next. Some properties just give you more. Tucked in a quiet cul-de-sac on a private two-acre lot, 2804 Gaya Court delivers the kind of space that's getting harder to find anywhere close to town; without asking you to trade away convenience to get it. The main level
Welcome to 324 Flat River Run at Collins Ridge in the historic and picturesque town of Hillsborough, NC! The Hanover features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 2,804 SF of living space. Nestled in the historic, and picturesque town of Hillsborough, NC, Collins Ridge's new phase showcases ten single family floorplans that offer front and rear-load garages, one to two-stories and start from 1,764 sq.
Welcome home to this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled on .52 acres in the heart of Cornwallis Hills. A welcoming rocking chair front porch sets the tone as you approach your next home! The main level features new LVP flooring throughout (with tile in the kitchen), for a fresh, updated look. The cozy living room centers around a gas fireplace, converted from its original wood-burning design
Custom-built 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home situated on 10.82 peaceful, wooded acres just 22 minutes from Duke University Hospital and 11 minutes from historic downtown Hillsborough. This thoughtfully designed home features a spacious primary suite on the main level with a beautiful en-suite bath and separate shower, along with two additional main-level bedrooms. The home offers a formal dining room,
Located in the desirable Charles Woods subdivision just off scenic St. Mary's Road in Orange County, this home offers the perfect combination of privacy, natural beauty, and convenience. Situated on over an acre of wooded land, the property enjoys a peaceful hilltop setting with a long gravel driveway that creates a welcoming sense of arrival. Recent updates include a new roof, fresh interior
Welcome to 401 Brightleaf Road, a beautifully maintained home that has the best backyard view in the neighborhood! It offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and small-town charm. This move-in ready property features an open-concept layout designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The spacious kitchen opens seamlessly to the main living area and includes stylish finishes,
Beautifully constructed Hillsborough townhome, perfectly blending modern convenience with effortless living. Spacious layout features 4 bedrooms plus a dedicated storage space/office and a large loft, highlighted by a desirable first-floor primary suite with an elegant trey ceiling. Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living with an upgraded, spacious screened-in porch, alongside practical perks like a
Remodeled 1931 bungalow just minutes to downtown Hillsborough! Historic charm meets modern style. This beautifully remodeled 1931 bungalow blends the character you love with the modern finishes you want—all just minutes from shops, restaurants, trails, and parks. Inside, you'll find new tile and engineered hardwood floors throughout, plus an updated kitchen featuring quartz countertops, stainless
Private Custom brick home in a beautiful Grand Oak Estate neighborhood. A short drive to downtown Hillsborough and Duke. Spacious wrap-around rocking chair front porch with rear screened porch. Home features beautiful reclaimed hardwood floors from an old whiskey distillery throughout the main floor, the railings to go upstairs were locally designed and milled. Tile floor in baths and utility
Welcome home to 504 Tuliptree Dr - where classic brick durability meets effortless modern style. Tucked away on a spacious, private lot in charming Hillsborough, this fully renovated 3-bedroom ranch offers true turnkey living with major big-ticket updates already done, including a newer roof and brand-new HVAC system for total peace of mind. Ideal for a primary homebuyer or an investor seeking a
Welcome to 711 Hardscrabble Drive! This beautiful home offers 3,125 square feet, four bedrooms plus a bonus room, an award-winning floor plan, abundant natural light, oversized rooms and exceptional storage. Begin and end your day on the inviting screened porch overlooking the surrounding woods—your own private retreat at home. Additional highlights include 10-foot ceilings, a beautiful oversized
Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled in the desirable Kenwood Estates community. Set on 2.7 private acres, this charming ranch offers comfortable one-level living. Step inside to find brand new LVP flooring, fresh paint, and modern finishes in every room. The kitchen features granite countertops, updated baths, a pantry, breakfast area. A formal dining room. Cozy
Welcome to this well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in the desirable Cornwallis Hills neighborhood. The spacious family room features a cozy fireplace, creating a warm and inviting gathering space. The kitchen offers a pantry, breakfast area, and convenient access to the adjoining dining room, making meals and entertaining a breeze. A mudroom/laundry room with a
The Emerson floorplan offers a perfect mix of elegance and practicality, with an open-concept design that maximizes space and functionality. The spacious kitchen flows seamlessly into the great room, creating an ideal space for both daily living and entertaining. The primary suite provides a private retreat with a well-appointed bath and large walk-in closet. Additional bedrooms offer plenty of
The Hampton offers a spacious and flexible design with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 3,125 square feet of thoughtfully crafted living space.The open-concept main level features a chef’s kitchen with a central island, seamlessly connecting to the great room and dining area for easy entertaining and everyday living. A tech nook near the kitchen provides a convenient space for work, study, or
Settle into a life of comfort, convenience, and luxury at Cadence at Cates Creek. Our one, two, and three bedroom homes offer the best of modern living in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Ideally located near UNC Medical Center, our luxury community offers easy access to charming downtown shops and restaurants as well as the lush Hillsborough Riverwalk.There’s plenty to do around town, but you might
PatriotsPointe Apartments is designed for what matters most: you! Our apartments inHillsborough, NC, come in spacious one, two, and three-bedroom layouts withluxury amenities and an impeccable neutral design. They are convenientlylocated near The Triangle, just minutes from the areas best dining,entertainment, and top employers.Our community amenities include a
Bellevue Mill Apartments carries a rich history as textile mill buildings that were once a vital part of the local Hillsborough economy.Now a gorgeous new living venue, the buildings that once provided a way of life have become a setting for a new way to live.Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bellevue Mill Apartments is sure to impress with its preserved history
Meet Pinewood Station, your fresh, new address in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Our community offers 1, 2 & 3 garden-style apartments and spacious townhomes in a notable neighborhood of Hillsborough. From exploring exciting territory around town or keeping it close to home by taking advantage of a swimming pool, you'll always have something to look forward to when you live at Pinewood Station.A
Welcome to 182 Red Admiral Court, a spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offering 1,615 square feet of living space. This property features a gas fireplace for warmth and ambiance. The kitchen includes a full suite of appliances with a dishwasher, refrigerator, gas range/oven, and microwave. An in-unit washer and dryer are provided for your convenience. The home offers both a porch and a patio
2BR, 1BA Duplex with convenient access to downtown Hillsborough. Gas heat, central air, hardwood floors, stove, fridge, dishwasher, and washer/dryer connections.
Welcome to your dream home! Step inside this pet-friendly home featuring modern finishings and a layout designed with functionality in mind. Enjoy the storage space found in the kitchen and closets as well as the spacious living areas and natural light throughout. Enjoy outdoor living in your yard, perfect for gathering, relaxing, or gardening!Take advantage of the incredible location,
Property Id: 1672891 Come home to your beautifully renovated 3 bed 2 bath cottage located in historic Hillsborough! This home is nestled in a great neighborhood located close to everything the Triangle has to offer. You will be 19 minutes to UNC Chapel Hill, 14 min to Duke University, 24 min to RTP, and 40 min to downtown Raleigh. Enjoy great dining or drinks in downtown Hillsborough or go
Beautiful, pet-friendly home coming soon! Apply now, Move-In is available on or after the listed date. Upon approval, $500 reservation deposit to reserve (applied to security deposit and/or refundable). Application fee: $55 per adult. Security Deposit: one month?s rent. Pet fees: $250 + $40/mo per pet. Some homes may include pool ($150/mo), septic ($15/mo), and/or HOA fees; other fees may apply.
Landlord takes care of landscaping and water filter. High speed internet available. Nice country living. Neat house on 1.86 acres. Kitchen recently refurbished. 2 car carport. . 3 bedrooms 2 baths. approx 10 min. drive to Hillsborough.
Property Id: 2595683 Private country feel just minutes from downtown Hillsborough! This charming ranch-style home offers a rare opportunity to enjoy space, privacy, and a large yard while remaining less than 4 minutes from shops, restaurants, and everything downtown has to offer. Perfect for gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking room to spread out. Pick your own grapes and
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