Named one of CNN’s Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2015, historic Hillsborough is the place for home buyers looking for a small-town feel (population around 7,000) with easy access to both Chapel Hill and Durham for work and big-city amenities.
Surrounded by natural beauty and the Eno River, Hillsborough is known for its wide range of eclectic shopping boutiques, remarkable dining with a focus on local flavors, and art galleries that feature every medium imaginable and showcases work from artisans and creatives who call Hillsborough home.
The Wall Street Journal has described Hillsborough as “America’s Little Literary Town,” recognizing the number of authors who have made their homes here. The locally-owned bookstore, Purple Crow, is the literary meeting place in town and features regular book signings and community events for book-minded folks.
The town's economy relies heavily on tourism, so there are many unique places for residents of Hillsborough to work and play.
Residents enjoy easy access to four major cities. Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Burlington NC are all within 40 miles of Hillsborough. People from these cities are frequently drawn to Hillsborough by its small town charm. Visit and you'll see why!
Let’s look at key characteristics that make this small town so special.
Historic Downtown Hillsborough
Downtown historic Hillsborough is featured on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, you’ll find homes, churches, and other buildings from the late 18th and 19th centuries as you stop to read approximately two dozen historic markers found around town. If you are looking to buy a historic home you will have plenty of options in Hillsborough!
History buffs will also enjoy the many historic sites open to the public, including the Alexander Dickson House, which was the last headquarters of the Confederacy and now serves as the Visitors Center. Local hikers flock to the grounds of Ayr Mount, a sprawling 17th century estate that features a mile-long trail that winds through meadows and historical ruins.
Many of the historical cemeteries are open for the public to walk through and although there are no private homes open for tour, you can glimpse some of the finer houses from Hillsborough’s tree-lined streets. The picturesque setting of the downtown streets, with brick storefronts and large shop windows, gives a nice small-town feel to the area.
A different kind of history can be found in the Occoneechee Speedway, the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season.
Good food with local flavor and lots of “heart”
There is a common theme to many of Hillsborough’s restaurants and that is a focus on local food and local providers.
Aaron Vandemark, owner of fine dining gem Panciuto, is a six-time James Beard Award Semifinalist, Best Chefs in America. Panciuto’s website credits “people - farmers and friends - who supply us with virtually all of our food, the plates on which we eat, and the table at which we sit. If our food has radiance, it's because of this collective.”
Other favorite downtown restaurants are:
Weaver Street Market is a co-op and institution in the greater Triangle area. You can pick up prepared foods and shop for weekly groceries. Weaver Street Markets celebrate local and seasonal food and you can shop there without being a member of the co-op.
Want to cook at home? Join one of the CSAs offered by organic, sustainable farms in the area so you can order and get regular deliveries of fresh produce and other artisan products. Shop at one of the two great farmers markets, the Hillsborough Farmers Market and the Eno River Farmers Market.
Riverwalk and the great outdoors
Just steps from downtown is the majestic Eno River, front and center to daily life in Hillsborough. Riverwalk is a paved and accessible 1.8-mile greenway, part of a statewide series of trails called NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Fresh air and the shade from mature trees make Riverwalk popular with families out for leisurely strolls as well as joggers and cyclists.
The Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is another place where Hillsborough residents can find an escape into nature. Covering 190 acres of land, three miles of trail wind through riverside forests of mountain laurel and rhododendron with options for fishing and picnics.
West Hillsborough
West Hillsborough grew up in the shadow of two mills, the Bellevue Manufacturing Company and the Eno Cotton Mill. Most workers lived in company housing near the mills and a small village grew up around them, with its own store, barbershop, café, and movie theatre.
Though the mills are long gone, some of the traditional mill houses remain in this cozy neighborhood. The two historic textile mills have been renovated into interesting lofts and business spaces.
West Hillsborough today is a friendly and diverse neighborhood, home to a mix of families, entrepreneurs, retirees, and professionals who commute into the greater Triangle area. West Hillsborough is great since you're close to downtown, but the homes for sale are much cheaper than in the traditional historic district. Along with the downtown area, west Hillsborough also features the area’s best shopping and dining experiences.
Educational opportunities
Orange County Schools serve the area with seven elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. The most recent state test results showed Orange County students performed at or above the state average in both reading and math. Durham Technical Community College, located in nearby Durham, runs a charter school for Hillsborough high school students interested in dual credit courses.
The University of North Carolina is about 20 minutes to the south in Chapel Hill while archrival Duke University is about the same distance to Durham.
Something for every income: Homes for sale in Hillsborough
Hillsborough real estate features a wide range of options for all budgets, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes; much of the area is rural with lots of horse farms, but nothing is too far away from the central downtown area. Contemporary shopping centers and brand-new homes mix easily with the town’s historic sites and the more established neighborhoods.
Here are a few links to neighborhoods to get you started on your Hillsborough home search:
Pleasant Green Farms
New Hope Springs
Just Mere Landing
Grand Oak Estates
Fox Hill Farm
Dimmocks Mill
Cornwallis Hills
Colonial Hills
Churton Grove
Becketts Ridge
If you're interested in moving to this charming town, contact us today and we would be happy to work with you as your realtor.
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Located in north-central Orange County, NC, near the townships of Deer Run and Arrowhead, this unrestricted, fully wooded building tract awaits your new home! The proper...
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Alluring UPDATED 1-story ranch, boasting a massive front porch that invites you into a world of charm. Formerly utilized as an Airbnb, it presents an ideal opportunity fo...
Enjoy views of rural countryside along a scenic by-way with 192 acres of TLC Conservation land to the north and 27 acre RambleRill Farm, a USDA certified organic farm, to...
Enjoy views of rural countryside along a scenic by-way with 192 acres of TLC Conservation land to the north and 27 acre RambleRill Farm, a USDA certified organic farm, to...
Enjoy views of rural countryside along a scenic by-way with 192 acres of TLC Conservation land to the north and 27 acre RambleRill Farm, a USDA certified organic farm, to...
One or more photo(s)may have been virtually staged. Recently Renovated Ranch Home in Hillsborough on Almost Half Acre! Beautiful New Solid Surface Quartz Countertop...
Beautiful remodeled home with a huge 2.4 acre lot and tons of upgrades! Updated kitchen with new granite counter tops, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Upd...
The Lansing- Enter into the foyer from the front porch into the open family room that overlooks into the dining room & kitchen. This home offers a beautiful kitchen w/ qu...
The Lansing- Enter into the foyer from the front porch into the open family room that overlooks into the dining room & kitchen. This home offers a beautiful kitchen w/ qu...
The Lansing- Enter into the foyer from the front porch into the open family room that overlooks into the dining room & kitchen. This home offers a beautiful kitchen w/ ti...
End Unit townhome in Collins Ridge Subdivision, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, complete with an inviting open-concept floor plan and convenient first-floor offic...
The Collin townhome plan features a unique rear entry 2-car garage providing distinct character to the facade. This 2-story, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home features an inviting...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 2 offers 3.5 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site – Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. The...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 3 offers 3.7 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site – Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. Th...
Here's the perfect location to build your dream home! This stunning and spacious 7.36 +/- acre lot is located on a private road in a peaceful, quiet area in the charming ...
Unique opportunity in the heart of Hillsborough! You will not believe this property, with over 2 acres of land and several outbuildings, the potential is endless! Inside ...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 1 offers 4.55 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site - Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. Th...
Want a bit of a fixer that's not scary or overwhelming? THIS IS IT ! A wonderful home with over 200 feet of Eno River frontage at the rear of the 1.2-acre lot and Eno Sta...
Privacy, location and convenience...Lovely townhome in popular Waterstone Subdivision just waiting for you! Immaculate condition with pretty laminate flooring, stainless ...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 4 offers 4.55 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site – Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. Th...
Don't miss this opportunity to build your dream home on a gorgeous lot that is conveniently located to Durham, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. Desirable location in Orange ...
Don't miss this opportunity to build your dream home on a gorgeous lot that is conveniently located to Durham, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. Desirable location in Orange ...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 5 offers 7.6 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site – Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. The...
Wonderful end unit townhome waiting for you to call it home!! Master and laundry and on the main level. Large has cabinetry that matches upgraded kitchen cabinets. Home f...
Welcome to your dream home in West Hillsborough. Fully renovated with a modern kitchen and bathrooms, quartz counter tops, black stainless steel appliances and hardwoods...
Welcome to serene living in this charming 1-story updated 3 bedroom ranch-style home nestled on a sprawling 2-acre lot. Step inside to discover an updated kitchen and...
Stunning Views from each of the six estate lots located on Knob Hill Dr. Lot 6 offers 8.2 Acres. 5 BR Conventional Perk Site – Improvement Permit in MLS Documents. The...
Commercial building located off Hwy 86 in Hillsborough. Rare Opportunity. This is your chance to own approximately 10,000 Sqft. Building on approximately 3 acres in Orang...
Build your dream home on this beautifully secluded 11 acre cul-de-sac lot with paved road. Yes, this is a nearly unheard of opportunity. Acerage lot neighborhood with tr...
This unique home sits across Lake Orange, which is located at the east fork of the Eno River. The property is surrounded by beautiful, quiet, and pastoral scenery approxi...
The Calhoun offers an owner's suite on the first floor! You will find many upgrades including butler's pantry, coffered & tray ceilings, pre-wiring for ceiling fans in al...
Beautiful hardwoods populate this private wooded 10 acre lot ready for your dream home in the elegant neighborhood of Tree Farm Road. Mostly level lot will one soon over...
The Calhoun offers an owner's suite on the first floor! You will find many upgrades including butler's pantry, coffered & tray ceilings, pre-wiring for ceiling fans in al...
Offering a unique, rear entry 2 car garage, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Jackson plan offers an open first floor with standard features such as coffered ceilings in the livin...
Offering a unique, rear entry 2 car garage, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Jackson plan offers an open first floor with standard features such as coffered ceilings in the livin...
LAND LAND LAND. 1.73 acres in the Town of Hillsborough. Great for a homeowner or developer. Don't miss out! Seller has never lived in the property. There is a month t...
Say hello to this Fiori Hill hot potato. Best lot on the ridge with nothing but wooded views to the East for a nonstop forest slide show. Welcoming front porch opens into...
Immaculate, like-new home near historic Hillsborough, NC! This stunning residence boasts a plethora of amenities, including a pool, clubhouse, playground, dog park and te...
Welcome Home! Adorable property with 3 bedroom, 1 office, 2 full baths freshly painted, new appliances, and beautiful White Oak wood floors. Breathtaking sunroom with lot...
Downtown Hillsborough's only true modern design within a few minutes to Downtown Hillsborough. Unit boasts tons of natural light, high ceilings, chef's kitchen, large cen...
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PRICE REDUCTION - Build your dream home on this beautiful 11+ acre wooded lot in Orange County's beloved Red Hill Farm. Unique opportunity to live in a gorgeous gated com...
Montgomery Estates is the opportunity you have been awaiting. This gated community boasts 10 lots with acreage so that you can build your dream house and outdoor oasis w...
Well maintained One Owner home on 1.7 acres, First Floor Primary Bedroom, 2.5 baths on first floor, 2 Large BR's & Bathroom up with Craft/Hobby Room off one BR, Hardwood ...
Attention Future Homeowners, build your custom DREES home on this serene 1-acre residential lot with easy access to Duke, UNC and downtown Hillsborough. The Bradley II fl...
Welcome to bucolic bliss in Hillsborough. Custom built ONE LEVEL home on beautifully landscaped lot, w/ great architectural features throughout. 4 potentially 5 bedrooms...
This gorgeous 2,833 sq ft home in the upscale Cedar Trace Estates will be nestled on 10 acres of some of the most beautiful woodlands in the area. Featuring 10 ft 1st flo...
Step into your serene retreat with this charming and elegant three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home, offering the perfect fusion of tranquility and convenience. The first floor...
Montgomery Estates is the opportunity you have been awaiting. This gated community boasts 10 lots with acreage so that you can build your dream house and outdoor oasis w...
Beautiful custom built home in the desirable area of Hillsborough. Features include 10' ceilings, open floor plan, gourmet kitchen with butler's pantry, quartz countertop...
ASK ABOUT OUR 3.99% conventional 2-1 Buydown promotion on homes that can close by February 29, 2024 OR Conventional fixed rate 5.99% (6.043% APR) ! VIEW THIS GORGEOUS HOM...
Bring your own POOL! With a 10 acre canvas, this elegant 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath new construction home by J. Fuller Homes lives large with 2 story family room, butler pantry ...
Leave the world behind! With views like a mountain retreat, this stunning new construction, 4 bedroom, 4 bath home by J. Fuller Homes, which sits crested on a 10-acre lo...
This home boasts incredible quality and convenience to Durham and Chapel Hill. Located Just off Hwy 70 and within close proximity to downtown Hillsborough. This custom h...
Luxurious living in Hillsborough. This 5 bedroom 6 bath, 3 car garage home is everything that you have been looking for. Home was meticulously cared for and was designed...
Location, Location, Location, - Incredible convenience to downtown Hillsborough, 18 minutes to Duke, close proximity to I-40 & I-85. Be prepared to be blown away. This D...
Welcome to Montgomery Estates. Hillsborough's newest gated community. This is your chance to build a Drees home in a community that has acreage. Photos are representat...
Welcome to Montgomery Estates. Hillsborough's newest gated community. This is your chance to build a Drees home in a community that has acreage. Photos are representat...
Welcome to Montgomery Estates. Hillsborough's newest gated community. This is your chance to build a Drees home in a community that has acreage. Photos are representat...
This 72-acre tract is one of the most scenic large tracts of land in Orange County. Mature hardwoods and pines surround the 2-3 acre stocked lake providing an ideal spot ...
Welcome to Montgomery Estates. Hillsborough's newest gated community. This is your chance to build a Drees home in a community that has acreage. Photos are representat...
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