RANK #741 / 996 · POP 145,919 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.2%
Orange County, North Carolina, is often recognized for Chapel Hill, home to the University of North Carolina, the oldest state-supported university in the United States. Located in the north-central Piedmont region, the county sits approximately 20 miles east of Raleigh-Durham International Airport, offering access to major cities via Interstates 40 and 85. The area blends a rural feel with cosmopolitan influences, featuring rolling hills and green countryside. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore numerous trails and greenways, including sections of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Eno River, and enjoy parks like Eno River State Park and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area.
Life in Orange County offers a mix of small-town charm and access to larger metropolitan amenities. Public schools in Orange County are highly rated, and the county is served by two school districts: Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Commute options include local bus services within towns like Hillsborough, and connector routes to Chapel Hill and Durham. Recent economic developments include expansions by manufacturing and healthcare technology companies in towns like Mebane and Chapel Hill. The county also sees ongoing residential and commercial construction, including mixed-use developments and efforts to increase affordable housing options.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Asteria – Disney Residential Community (Chatham Park region, impacting Orange County)
Preston Development Company
|
$500M | Under Construction/Planned |
|
Chapel Hill Residential Developments (Chapel Hill Crossing, Meridian Lakeview, South Creek)
Various
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
County Long Range Facility Plan Projects (Emergency Services HQ, Justice System, Recreation Facility)
Orange County
|
$89M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio
Various
|
$50M | Operating/Planned |
|
I-40/NC Hwy. 86 Interchange Improvements & Highway Widening
N.C. Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
ABB, Inc. Manufacturing Facility Expansion
ABB, Inc.
|
$40M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Orange County has a Boom Town Index score of 26/100, ranking #741 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $85,785, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Orange County is $395,600 with median rent at $1,316/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2168, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed -1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.7% of Orange County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.