1101 NC Hwy 86 Highway N Hillsborough, NC 27278

Located between Durham and Burlington in the Piedmont region, Hillsborough is a small town with a charming historic downtown district. The town serves as the county seat of Orange County and is a desirable community to call home.

Real Estate

Hillsborough real estate boasts a pleasant mix of restored historic properties and new construction homes. With a median price well above that of the state and nation, homes in Hillsborough are a valuable investment. Neighborhoods in Hillsborough feature tree-lined streets and impressive properties, with an emphasis on traditional, Colonial and Craftsman homes.

Lifestyle and Attractions

Hillsborough is a small town of more than 6,000 residents in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. The town serves as the county seat of Orange County. Hillsborough is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and breathtaking natural scenery, complemented by a historic downtown district. This quaint town is situated between the larger cities of Durham and Burlington, putting a variety of options for employment, entertainment, dining and shopping within reach for residents. However, there is so much in store within Hillsborough itself. The town centers on its charming downtown area listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as it hosts more than 100 late 18th and early 19th century structures.

Riverwalk is a popular urban greenway stretching for nearly 2 miles along the Eno River. This trail is part of the N.C. Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and is popular for walking, jogging and cycling. The Orange County Parks and Recreation Department manages two parks in Hillsborough, and there are also a number of town parks in Hillsborough, offering a variety of ways to relax and exercise. The community comes together with annual events and festivals, including Hog Day, Last Fridays Art Walk and the Hillsborough Jazz Festival. The area’s rich history comes to life at the Orange County Historical Museum in Hillsborough, and local artists shine at the plethora of art galleries in town.

Nearby Schools and Higher Education

There are 13 schools in Orange County Schools, nine of which are located in Hillsborough. There is also an alternative school, Partnership Academy, located in Hillsborough. Additionally, there are nine private schools in Orange County and three in Hillsborough, providing a variety of options for residents. Hillsborough is situated on the edge of the Triangle region, putting a variety of higher learning opportunities within reach. Nearby colleges and universities include Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

History

Hillsborough may be small, but it has a rich and interesting history. Local Native American groups, including the Siouan-language Occaneechi and Eno tribes, lived in Hillsborough for thousands of years when European-American settlers discovered the area. Hillsborough was an early Piedmont colonial town where court was held, and was also the scene of pre-Revolutionary War tensions between Regulators, farmers, and the royal-appointed government militia from the eastern part of the state.

The town was also utilized as the home of the North Carolina state legislature during the American Revolution, and also served as a military base for British General Charles Cornwallis in 1781. From nearby headquarters, General Joseph E. Johnston rode out to surrender the largest of the Confederate armies to General Sherman in 1865. The name of the town was shortened to “Hillsboro” in the early 19th century but was changed back to its original spelling in the late 1960s.

Approximate Distance to:

Durham: 14 Miles

Burlington: 22.5 Miles

Raleigh-Durham International Airport: 27 Miles

Hospitals:

• North Carolina Memorial Hospital: 13 Miles

• Duke University Hospital: 11.5 Miles

Major Highways:

• I-85: 1.5 Miles

• I-40: 3 Miles