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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Rare opportunity just 10 minutes south of Hillsborough! A cleared, level one-acre building lot with 3BR perc and construction authorization, with beautiful mature trees, ...
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Prime Land Opportunity at 700 W King St, Hillsborough, NC Welcome to an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of prime real estate in the heart of Hillsborough. This ...
This 1 acre parcel is zoned EDH-2 for commercial development. This prime and growing development area is strategically positioned next to I-40 and I-85 mergers in Hillsbo...
Discover the perfect place to build your dream home on this beautiful 3.63-acre homesite just outside the Hillsborough city limits. Enjoy the privacy and tranquility of a...
Sales Event 2/14 - 10-4pm! Come Visit with special one day only pricing! Welcome to Forrest Creek Estates, an exclusive 10-lot luxury enclave just minutes from historic d...
Beautiful 2.16 Acre Lot. The lot is cleared and ready for you to build your next home. The Orange County Health Department has issued a 4-bedroom septic permit on 5/14/2...
**SELLER $10,000 CREDIT TOWARD PERMANENT RATE BUY DOWN OR $10,000 PRICE REDUCTION FOR CASH BUYERS!** Welcome to this beautifully updated home in the heart of Hillsborough...
Welcome to Magnolia Estates—a rare collection of 6 private lots in one of the only truly gated communities in Orange County! Offering 3 to 5 acres per lot, this exclusive...
Welcome to Forrest Creek Estates, an exclusive 10-lot luxury enclave just minutes from historic downtown Hillsborough. Lot 4 offers 2.68 acres of privacy in a serene, tre...
Gorgeous homesite with a SOIL ASSESSMENT on file, 10 ACRES, and a prime location just off NC-86, only 6 minutes to downtown Hillsborough. Drive down a quiet private grave...
Absolutely stunning 10.45 acres with a pond, partially wooded and partially cleared. Beautifully maintained by the current owner! Amazing views with privacy if you decide...
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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 sma...
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Just over 10 acres in fabulous Hillsborough, NC! Conveniently located just 6 miles to downtown Hillsborough and 15 miles to Chapel Hill! About one third of an acre is cle...
Live In Hillsborough on 10 acres - check! Build your dream home plans with your builder - check! Beautiful 10 acre wooded lot has different opportunities for a homesite. ...
3.5 acres (by tax card) across from historic Moorefields, 70 protected acres which is adjacent to the 366 acre Upper Eno Nature Preserve which includes the Seven Mile Cre...
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SELLER WILL CONTRIBUTE $8,700 toward a 2/1 rate buydown--FHA estimated at 4.60% year one, 5.60% year two, 6.60% thereafter; Conventional estimated at 4.99% year one, 5.99...
Beautifully maintained and practically new, this sophisticated first-floor end-unit condominium at 515 Churton offers contemporary luxury in the heart of historic downtow...
Some homes feel welcoming before you ever step through the door. With its covered front porch, mature trees, and inviting lawn, this Hillsborough ranch is one of those ho...
his charming, move in ready townhome in Waterstone offers an open concept main level featuring durable LVP flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a pan...
This charming, moveinready townhome in Waterstone offers an openconcept main level featuring durable LVP flooring, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a pa...
Welcome to 717 Gold Hill Way at Collins Ridge Townes in the historic and picturesque town of Hillsborough, NC! The Savannah is one of our two-story townhome floorplans w...
Situated in Fox Run, this four bedroom, three bath single family residence offers substantial living space on a generous lot spanning nearly an acre. The home provides am...
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Small town feel in this wonderful Hillsborough neighborhood. 1st floor Primary bedroom. Just down the street from Occoneechee Golf Course. This pristine townhome doesn't ...
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Set in the Cornwallis Hills subdivision, 614 Lafayette Dr is a transitional 1,783-square-foot home built in 1995 and renovated in 2026. A rocking chair front porch provid...
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Wonderful home within a short walk to downtown Hillsborough. Corbinton is a fun neighborhood where comfortable living and an easy lifestyle meet. This spacious duplex l...
Welcome to 1008 Panther Court! Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in scenic Hillsborough, this fully renovated home with a walk-out basement blends timeless charm with fre...
Age In Place thanks to an elevator and many other features! Desirable neighborhood, just 2 miles to UNC Hillsborough Hospital via neighborhood streets with sidewalks, 3 ...
Brand New Huge Deck Installed and Huge Price Reduction! What a great find. Come home to this home with many updates, spacious floorplan, and 6.48 acres of living your be...
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NEW LOWER PRICE - At the end of the cul de sac in a single family neighborhood you will find this gem of a house. Welcome to one-level living, featuring a spacious three-...
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Prime Location, Prime Opportunity! Versatile and exceptional potential with this strategically located property on 2.1 acres, just minutes from Downtown Hillsborough; als...
Prime Location, Prime Opportunity! Versatile and exceptional potential with this strategically located property on 2.1 acres, just minutes from Downtown Hillsborough; als...
Prime Location, Prime Opportunity! Versatile and exceptional potential with this strategically located property on +/-2.4 acres, just minutes from Downtown Hillsborough; ...
Prime Location, Prime Opportunity! Versatile and exceptional potential with this strategically located property on +/-2.4 acres, just minutes from Downtown Hillsborough; ...
Welcome to 2202 Running Pine Ct , where privacy and nature connect with an exceptional location coming together for peaceful living. This hidden treasure is tucked awa...
Outstanding development potential on 4 acres. This location has heavy traffic visibility. Situated adjacent to a major bank and a bustling shopping center, this versatile...
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Investment opportunity, situated on 22 acres in Orange County! There is an existing single-family home with a tenant in place, providing immediate rental income. The pro...
Rare opportunity to own 22 acres in desirable Orange County! This expansive property offers endless possibilities for those seeking acreage, privacy, or long-term investm...
Welcome to serene Grand Oak Estates, where you can enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the comfort of your sunroom in this beautiful all-brick home nestled in a peaceful neig...
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Welcome to 503 Rollesby, a beautifully maintained home in the desirable Churton Grove community, lovingly cared for by its original owners. Hardwood floors flow through t...
Distinctive 2.87-acre cul-de-sac property offering 3,595 total HSF: 2,986-SF main home + 609-SF private suite above breezeway-connected garage. BOAT/RV PARKING • SEPARATE...
Welcome home to this spacious 3,857 sq ft retreat in Hillsborough, tucked on a level, tree-lined lot with sweeping curb appeal. Inside, a dramatic vaulted great room with...
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FIRST-FLOOR BEDROOM SUITE WITH A FULL BATH AND A FULLY FINISHED BASEMENT! Impressive 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath home offering approximately 4,958 square feet across three finish...
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