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Durham, NC

Durham, NC

Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County and Wake County. With a population of 283,506 in the 2020 census, Durham is the fourth-most populous city in North Carolina and the 71st-most populous city in the United States. The city is located in the east-central part of the Piedmont region along the Eno River. Durham is the core of the four-county Durham–Chapel Hill metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 608,879 in 2023. The Office of Management and Budget also includes Durham as a part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area, commonly known as the Research Triangle, which had an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023.

A railway depot was established in 1849 on land donated by Bartlett S. Durham, the namesake of the city. Following the American Civil War, the community of Durham Station expanded rapidly, in part due to the tobacco industry. The town was incorporated by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly, in April 1869. The establishment of Durham County was ratified by the General Assembly 12 years later, in 1881. It became known as the founding place and headquarters of the American Tobacco Company. Textile and electric power industries also played an important role. While these industries have declined, Durham underwent revitalization and population growth to become an educational, medical, and research center.

Durham is home to several recognized institutions of higher education, most notably Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Durham is also a national leader in health-related activities, which are focused on the Duke University Hospital and many private companies. Duke and its Duke University Health System are the largest employers in the city. North Carolina Central University is a historically black university that is part of the University of North Carolina System. Together, the two universities make Durham one of the vertices of the Research Triangle area; central to this is the Research Triangle Park south of Durham, which encompasses an area of 11 square miles and is devoted to research facilities.

On the Duke University campus are the neo-Gothic Duke Chapel and the Nasher Museum of Art. Other notable sites in the city include the Museum of Life and Science, Durham Performing Arts Center, Carolina Theatre, and Duke Homestead and Tobacco Factory. Bennett Place commemorates the location where Joseph E. Johnston surrendered to William T. Sherman in the American Civil War. The city is served, along with Raleigh, by Raleigh–Durham International Airport.

Durham is located in the east-central part of the Piedmont region at 35°59′19″N 78°54′26″W (35.99, -78.9). Like much of the region, its topography is generally flat with some rolling hills. The city has a total area of 116.19 square miles (300.9 km²), of which 115.36 square miles (298.8 km²) is land and 0.82 square miles (2.1 km²) (0.71%) is water.

The soil is predominantly clay, making it poor for agriculture. The Eno River, a tributary of the Neuse River, passes through the northern part of Durham, along with several other small creeks. The center of Durham is on a ridge that forms the divide between the Neuse River watershed, flowing east to Pamlico Sound, and the Cape Fear River watershed, flowing south to the Atlantic near Wilmington. A small portion of the city is in Wake County.

Durham is located 10 miles northeast of Chapel Hill, 21 miles northwest of Raleigh, 50 miles east of Greensboro, 121 miles northeast of Charlotte, and 134 miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia.

Health and wellness are prioritized in Durham, with world-class healthcare facilities such as the Duke University Hospital providing cutting-edge medical services to residents. The Durham County Department of Public Health actively engages in community initiatives to enhance overall wellness, making health a focal point in the city's development. The city boasts a range of parks and recreational areas, encouraging an active lifestyle. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Durham Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Anytime Fitness, Courage Fitness Durham and O2 Fitness Durham. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Durham, such as the Big Loop Trail and Piedmont Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Durham, NC are Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Museum of Life and Science, The Streets at Southpoint, and Durham Performing Arts Center.

Population: 296,186 (2023). ZIP code: 27701. Area codes: 919, 984. Elevation: 404 ft (123 m). Area: 116.19 sq mi (300.92 km²).

FAQs

What is Durham, NC most known for?

Durham was known as a banking and tobacco center and although both industries have continued to flourish, the City has also drawn many other industries to our area. Between 1900 and 1925, two famous educational institutions were founded, North Carolina Central University and Duke University. These institutions have established Durham as a city of high academic acclaim. With the birth of the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in the 1950s, Durham began to take on a new look that has evolved this community into a global center for information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. The City of Durham is famously known as the “City of Medicine,” with healthcare as a major industry including more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices.

Is Durham, NC a good place to live?

Durham is in Durham County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Durham offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Durham there are a lot of restaurants and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Durham and residents tend to be liberal.

Is Durham, NC an expensive place to live?

The cost of living in Durham, NC is 5% higher than the state average and same as the national average. Durham, NC housing is 8% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 12% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 3% less in Durham, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 3% less.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Durham

Duke University Hospital 

Durham County Department of Public Health 

Durham Parks and Recreation Department 

Anytime Fitness

Courage Fitness Durham 

O2 Fitness Durham

Big Loop Trail 

Piedmont Trail

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Museum of Life and Science

The Streets at Southpoint

Durham Performing Arts Center

Niche

RentCafe

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.