HILLSBOROUGH

Last updated: October 2026

Hillsborough, North Carolina is the county seat of Orange County, about 13 miles northwest of Durham, 12 miles north of Chapel Hill and roughly 40 miles from Raleigh. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Hillsborough's population at about 9,778 as of July 2025, up 1.3% from 9,660 in the 2020 census. Hillsborough dates to the 1750s and has a walkable historic downtown, with the Eno River running right along its edge.

People who move to Hillsborough usually want a small, artsy town with history, more land and farm views, and an easy drive to Durham, Chapel Hill and UNC. If you're still deciding, start with the pros and cons of living in Hillsborough.

Hillsborough neighborhoods

Hillsborough neighborhoods range from 1800s homes in the Historic District within walking distance of Churton Street to newer subdivisions on the edges of town and acreage with horse property out in rural Orange County. Areas buyers ask us about include the Historic District, Churton Grove, Waterstone, Beckett's Ridge and Collins Ridge, a newer community south of downtown. Many buyers compare Hillsborough with nearby towns before choosing:

• Living in Chapel Hill
• Best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill
• Living in Durham
• Best Durham neighborhoods for buyers
• Is Mebane, NC a good place to live
• Living in Pittsboro

What homes cost in Hillsborough

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Hillsborough, NC was about $440,785 for the three months ending September 2026, down 7.2% from a year earlier, with homes taking around 35 days to sell. That makes Hillsborough noticeably less expensive than Chapel Hill and close to Durham, while still putting buyers in Orange County.

	Hillsborough, NC	Chapel Hill, NC	Durham, NC
Median sale price	$440,785	$635,947	$419,800
Change from a year earlier	Down 7.2%	Up 22.8%	Down 5.4%
Median days on market	35	45	43
Homes sold in September	49	140	820

Source: Redfin housing market data for Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Durham, three months ending September 2026.

The U.S. Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in Hillsborough at $460,100 (2020 to 2024 estimates). Homes with acreage outside town limits often sell well above the median.

Schools in Hillsborough

Most Hillsborough addresses are served by Orange County Schools, a separate district from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Hillsborough's two public high schools are Orange High School and Cedar Ridge High School.

School assignments in Orange County follow the address, not the town name, so homes a few miles apart can feed different schools. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific Hillsborough address with Orange County Schools before you make an offer.

Commuting from Hillsborough

Hillsborough sits where I-85 and I-40 split, so most commutes run west to east toward Durham and Research Triangle Park. Downtown Durham is usually about 20 minutes away, Chapel Hill about 20 minutes down NC 86, and Raleigh about 45 minutes outside rush hour.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports an average commute of 21.7 minutes for Hillsborough workers (2020 to 2024). The Town of Hillsborough is also working with the state, the North Carolina Railroad and Amtrak on a future passenger rail station south of downtown.

Things to do in Hillsborough

One of Hillsborough's favorite spots is the Riverwalk, a paved greenway along the Eno River that connects to downtown. Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area has hiking trails and river views, and Eno River State Park is a short drive. History fans can tour Ayr Mount, the Burwell School Historic Site and the Orange County Historical Museum.

Downtown Hillsborough hosts the Last Fridays Art Walk and Hog Day, a barbecue festival that has run for decades, along with local restaurants, coffee shops and Weaver Street Market.

Working in Hillsborough

As the Orange County seat, Hillsborough is home to county government offices and the courthouse, and UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus opened on the south side of town in 2015. Durham Tech's Orange County Campus is also in Hillsborough. Most other Hillsborough residents commute to Duke, UNC, downtown Durham or Research Triangle Park, all within about 30 minutes.

Buying or selling in Hillsborough

Hillsborough has a smaller inventory than Durham or Chapel Hill, so well-priced Hillsborough homes, especially in the Historic District, can move quickly. These guides help with the decision:

• Pros and cons of living in Hillsborough
• Should you buy in Chapel Hill
• Should you buy in Durham or Raleigh
• Where UNC employees should buy near Chapel Hill
• Best places to retire in North Carolina

Frequently asked questions about Hillsborough

What is the median home price in Hillsborough, NC?

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Hillsborough, NC was about $440,785 for the three months ending September 2026, down 7.2% from a year earlier.

How far is Hillsborough from Raleigh?

Hillsborough is about 40 miles west of Raleigh, roughly 45 minutes by I-40 outside rush hour. Durham and Chapel Hill are each about 20 minutes from Hillsborough.

What county is Hillsborough, NC in?

Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, the same county as Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Most Hillsborough homes are served by Orange County Schools.

Is Hillsborough cheaper than Chapel Hill?

Yes. Redfin data for the three months ending September 2026 shows a median sale price of about $440,785 in Hillsborough compared with about $635,947 in Chapel Hill.

Is Hillsborough, NC a good place to raise a family?

Many families choose Hillsborough for its small-town feel, historic downtown, Riverwalk and parks, and its easy drive to Durham and Chapel Hill jobs. Hillsborough grew about 1.3% from 2020 to 2025, so it has stayed small while nearby towns boomed.

Thinking about Hillsborough?

We're Brandy and Lance Nemergut with Be Sunshine Realty Group at eXp Realty, and we help people relocate to Hillsborough and the rest of the Triangle every week. Start with our city guides or call or text us at 919-583-6895 and we'll walk you through the neighborhoods that fit your budget.