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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Buildable lot in Hillsborough. Lovely corner lot. Site previously had a mobile home located there. The mobile home was hooked into city services. Build your dream home in...
Adorable bungalow style home off highway 86 only minutes from downtown Hillsborough. Newly renovated, with new appliances. This cozy home has beautiful new deck for rela...
You will love this hidden bungalow tucked away at the end of W Short St. in West Hillsborough! With freshly refinished hardwood floors, 2022 NEW furnace & hot water heate...
Unrestricted acreage tract in Cedar Ridge High School district. 3BR oerc site, survey on record.
Check out this stunner! This home has partial flooring replacement in some areas. Windows create a light filled interior with well placed neutral accents. The kitchen is ...
Beautiful and serene - 1.85 acres at the edge of Historic Downtown Hillsborough with two homes to renovate or remove from the property. Includes one original mill home f...
Beautiful and serene - 1.85 acres along the way to Historic Downtown Hillsborough with two homes to renovate or remove from the property. Planning dept. said the lot coul...
Check out this cute cottage in the heart of Hillsborough! Just minutes to all amenities, shopping, downtown and convenient to all major highways. This updated ranch with ...
Welcome home! This 3 BR 2.5 Bath townhome in popular Braddock Park has been refreshed and is ready for a new owner. All new flooring - LVP downstairs and carpet upstairs ...
This seller's dream is now your rare opportunity to own 5+ acres close to historic downtown Hillsborough. There just isn't anything else like this available! Build your o...
Location, location, location! Better than new, 1 year old townhome in popular Collins Ridge subdivision. Walkable amenities/shopping, pool, tennis, clubhouse, parks. E...
Beautiful kitchen with island, and granite counters. Spacious primary suite with tiled shower and Walk in closet. Great neighborhood amenities, with easy access to downto...
The Denver Plan invites you though the covered front porch and into this open concept townhome! Downstairs the kitchen, dining and family room are all in one grand space ...
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 beautiful Birch Flagstone...
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 beautiful Gray cabinets, ...
This energy efficient townhome is minutes from Downtown Hillsborough and within walking distance of the new UNC hospital/bus line. Gorgeous NEW hardwoods installed upstai...
“To really feel a forest canopy we must use different senses, and often the most useful one is the sense of imagination” - Joan Maloof. Imagine yourself building on 17.57...
30 Acres on the edge of Historic Hillsborough town limits. Mostly wooded land with possible development potential. Water and sewer nearby. Close to I40/85, Downtown Hi...
Fantastic opportunity to own this great town home, maybe better than new?? Just a year old with beautiful stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, first floor primary be...
515 Churton is a Collection of Modern, Luxury Condos in Downtown Historic Hillsborough - unparalleled walkability to all the amenities you know & love. Sleek & Stylish -...
Cozy 3BR Hillsborough home in desirable St Mary's Woods subdivision! This private, wooded retreat allows you to get in touch w/ nature while still being in a great neighb...
Classic Cape Cod cottage on 3 acre lot, that includes cedar siding, copper piping, and a metal roof. This home is located on a private road, in an 8 home subdivision with...
So close to Rt 40! 2019 Built-End of Group-Wonderful townhome with Primary Suite on the Main level in desirable Harmony @Waterstone! Everything is from 2019 or newer! Who...
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...
Great brick ranch home in awesome location! Large 1.46 acre corner lot and home has lots of potential! Kitchen has solid oak cabinets w/ crown moulding and Corian counter...
The Fleetwood plan greets you with a 2 story foyer that features black iron spindles going up oak stairs. This home features a dedicated dinning room! The kitchen and liv...
MUST SEE meticulously maintained home in quaint and peaceful Hillsborough location nearby historic Downtown Hillsborough. Home features versatile floor plan with 1st floo...
Gorgeous building parcel in one of the most beautiful areas Orange County has to offer. 14.63 acres of wooded beauty. No known restrictions.
It's been awhile since we've seen one this ready to go! An absolute gem in the much-sought-after neighborhood of Becketts Ridge, this beauty is in the middle of everythin...
Beautiful 54 acres in Hillsborough. Great location. Partially wooded and cleared lot with the potential to build your dream home. Road frontage on Highland Farm Road. Don...
This traditional style home is located just minutes from all major areas including Downtown Hillsborough, Durham, Duke Hosptial, UNC, RTP, and Mebane. Country living just...
REVISED & IMPROVED FLOORPLAN for this pre-construction opportunity in charming West Hillsborough! 2-story modern farmhouse will sit perched on a hilltop lot with views of...
Awesome new construction just minutes from historic downtown Hillsborough! The main level features an open kitchen and living area design with separate dining room. Kit...
This is a must see Custom Home by Woods Custom Builders in the heart of Hillsborough! With all 3 bedrooms having their own bathroom, there will be no more fighting for sp...
This property is located in one of the most desirable areas of Historic Hillsborough, two blocks to the heart of downtown on a spacious .34 acre lot. The seller has compl...
A perfect Union of location and land! This downtown Hillsborough 1940s Cape Cod is situated on over a half acre flat lot. The home has been meticulously restored to showc...
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...
Custom-built all brick features wonderful entertaining areas both inside & out! This one level 4 bedroom, 3 full-bath home in the beautiful neighborhood of Fox Hill Farm ...
Ruffin Snipes Home Circa 1770. The Ruffin Snipes house is a lovingly improved and maintained house in the Hillsborough Historic District. The owners have put in new ce...
Sebastian Plan on 3+ ACRES! Check out the to be built Sebastian that gives you a first floor owners suite, screened outdoor living with an outdoor fireplace, study, incr...
THEODORE on 3.5 Acres! GRAND 2 STORY FAMILY ROOM,1st fl guest suite AND spacious outdoor living. Personal SLEEPING PORCH at Owners Suite! 3rd Fl includes bonus room, off...
Poised amidst 10 private acres and w over 5,300 sf of living space, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath quality-built home delivers 2 offices, lg game/rec room, large studio w 12’ cei...
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 ...
Significant price reduction! Owners relocating and ready to sell. Come home to historic charm plus more contemporary living spaces, the best of both! The restored Ira E...
RETREAT! Sleek Phil Szostak-designed single-level CONTEMPORARY MODERN MASTERPIECE on 11 private acres just mins from DT Hillsborough * INSULATING CONCRETE FORM (ICF) cons...
Cold Brook Farm welcomes you with a long gravel drive that leads to both the main house and equestrian facilities. The farm features 34 acres, two homes, a 9-stall barn a...
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