Alamance County

Alamance County is located in central North Carolina, just east of Orange County, and is home to Burlington, Mebane, Snow Camp, Haw River, Graham, Gibsonville, and Elon. Alamance County is a popular spot for first time homebuyers, as homes are affordable and conveniently located within an easy drive to RTP and Greensboro, where many residents work. 

To learn more about Alamance County, check out the information below. To view homes for sale by location, click on the links on the sidebar to the right. 

Talk to one of our experienced realtors today to find your dream home for the right price! 

History

The original residents of Alamance County included the Sissipahaw or Haw Tribe, and many of the names in the area reflect this history, including Saxapahaw and the Haw River. European settlers came to the area in the 1600s. The county was (according to legend) named after a local Native American word for mud, based off of the Alamance Creek. In the late 1700s, the Occaneechi tribe purchased their land in Alamance County and began a Homeland Preservation Project. In the 1800s, as the textile industry grew, several mills were constructed in Alamance County, some of which are still standing. 

Background Information

Alamance County is 435 square miles large, and the population is around 160,000. The county is conveniently located between the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) and the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point).  

Schools

Alamance County is served by the Alamance-Burlington School System, which serves around 23,000 students. Charter schools in the county include River Mill Academy (kindergarten - 12th grade), Hawbridge School (4th - 12th grades), and Clover Garden School (kindergarten - 12th grade). There are also several private schools in Alamance County, including The Burlington School (preschool - 12th grade), Bradford Academy (kindergarten - 10th grade), and Children's House Montessori (ages 2 - 15). 

Colleges and universities in the county include Elon University, a small private university, and Alamance Community College. 

Things to Do

Shopping

Popular spots for shopping in Alamance County include the outlet mall in Mebane, which hosts tons of outlets, including J.Crew, Banana Republic, Cole Haan, Le Creuset, and much more, and Alamance Crossing, a shopping mall in Burlington with stores like American Eagle and Barnes and Noble. The Streets at Southpoint, a large shopping mall in Durham, is about a 40 minute drive from Burlington. 

There are also some great antique shops in Alamance County, including Granddaddy's Antique Mall in Burlington and Gibsonville Antiques in Gibsonville. 

Entertainment

Downtown Burlington is an up and coming area with lots to do. During the summers, check out 4th Fridays - on the 4th Friday of each month, there is a music festival downtown with food trucks, craft beer, activities for kids, and more. The city hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, including a Halloween celebration. Other active downtowns in Alamance County include Mebane and Graham. 

For live music, check out the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, a gorgeous music venue in an historic cotton mill. The Haw River Ballroom has hosted popular bands including Sufjan Stevens, Drive by Truckers, and Tallest Man on Earth. 

Dining

Alamance County hosts a range of dining options. At Alamance Crossing, you'll find classic chain restaurants, including Red Robin, Coldstone Creamery, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Brixx. 

The Eddy, a pub and restaurant in Saxapahaw, features locally grown food with a menu that is updated seasonally. Another delicious option for fine dining is the Mebane Downtown Table.

One of our favorite coffee shops, Filament Coffee, is in downtown Mebane. Also in Mebane, you'll find Blue Ribbon Diner, a classic diner that was featured as one of the 57 favorite places locals love to eat by Our State magazine, with a second location in Burlington. 

Outdoors

Alamance County boasts tons of outdoor activities for its residents to enjoy. The Haw River Trail runs through the county and is part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a trail that runs from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. There are also 14 paddle trails along the Haw River. 

Cedarock Park is a 500 acre park located in the southern part of the county, and boasts miles of hiking trails and equestrian trails, disc golf courses, fishing ponds, camping, and much more. The park also has a restored historic farm, including a house, cabin, barn, farm animals, and more. Great Bend Park, another popular park, features hiking, fishing, and more.