Progressive and diverse small town next to Chapel Hill
Nicknamed The Paris of the Piedmont, Carrboro's vibrant and progressive community embraces the diverse identities of the people who live there and has sought to maintain the area's quirky, small-town atmosphere. The area's colorful murals, emphasis on local restaurants and outdoor events create a vibrant community of art, flavor and music. Downtown Carrboro is close to Downtown Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. "You could probably walk over the town line and not know it," says Maggie Funkhouser, the manager of the Carrboro Farmers Market who moved back to Carrboro in 2016. "If I needed to bike to campus or walk to Downtown Chapel Hill from Downtown Carrboro, I could do that."
Murals are plentiful in Downtown Carrboro.
The symbol of UNC, the Old Well, is located on McCorkle Place in Downtown Chapel Hill.
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Locally owned restaurants like Carrburritos and Thai Station
One of Carrboro's many unique restaurants, Thai Station sits along Carrboro's railroad tracks and serves Thai food inside historic railcars. Across the road on Rosemary Street, Carrburritos serves nachos, burritos and tacos in its colorful dining room and outdoor patio. "We have a ton of restaurants that source locally and offer seasonal specials," Funkhouser says. "I see our local chefs every week at the farmers market picking up ingredients." Previously a cotton mill, Carr Mill Mall has been converted into a shopping center hosting over 25 locally owned shops like Golden Fig Books and Ali Cat Toys. Next door, Carrboro residents can visit Weaver Street Market for organic produce, grocery staples and artisan bread. "They have a big outdoor patio and lawn that's right in downtown Carrboro," Funkhouser says. "They have live music on the weekends when the weather is nice, and that's where people go to hang out, or you'll run into people you know." Harris Teeter on Greensboro Street is also nearby.
Thai Station sits along Thai Station sits along' Downtown Carrboro's main street.
Downtown Carrboro residents can visit Weaver Street Market for organic produce and a big outdoor patio and lawn for events.
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Cat's Cradle and Carrboro Farmers' Market
Cat's Cradle, Carrboro's intimate and iconic music venue, has hosted artists for over 50 years. At the center of 90s rock and punk culture, Cat's Cradle hosted acts including Nirvana, Iggy Pop and Pearl Jam, establishing the venue's status as a cultural touchstone in the area. The venue still hosts up-and-coming indie and alt bands, among other genres. The town also holds annual festivals celebrating music, film and poetry. Carrboro Farmers' Market operates year-round on Saturday mornings and Wednesdays from April to November. This popular market hosts vendors of local produce, handmade goods and specialty foods, all produced within 50 miles of Carrboro. "We see on average between 2,500 to 3,500 visitors on Saturday mornings," Funkhouser says. "We see a ton of visitors from Carrboro-Chapel Hill, but also beyond that in the greater Research Triangle. Sometimes outside of the Triangle, depending on the day."
Cat's Cradle is a music venue and nightclub located in Downtown Carrboro.
Downtown Carrboro Farmers' Market operates year-round on Saturday mornings and Wednesdays from April to November.
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Each ranch and bungalow is unique
There are currently for sale or recently sold homes in Downtown Carrboro. Carrboro lawns often have decorations, colorful flower beds, and simple landscaping that distinguish each home. "There are small bungalows and larger homes, as well as historic houses that sell at quite a premium," Carrboro residents grapple with rapidly increasing housing costs and an influx of student-occupied housing in this sought-after and historic neighborhood. Carrboro's Affordable Housing Advisory is working to ensure long-term residents, particularly low-income, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, are not priced out of this diverse neighborhood.
here are small bungalows and larger homes in Downtown Carrboro.
Downtown Carrboro as first settled in 1882 around a University of North Carolina railroad spur.
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Home to A-rated public schools and close to UNC Chapel Hill
Downtown Carrboro students attend Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, named the Best School District in North Carolina on Niche. Schools are dependent on zoning, but students have school choice based on a lottery system. Carrboro Elementary and Smith Middle both earned A grades from Niche. Carrboro High School, which also earned an A, requires 9th graders to participate in the Academy of International Studies. If students continue in the academy, they can take classes with an international focus. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is within three miles of Carrboro. The university earned an A-plus from Niche and prides itself as the oldest public university in the United States.
Smith Middle is a school servicing grades 6 to 8 in Chapel Hill, NC.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is within three miles of Downtown Carrboro.
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Recreation at Anderson Community Park and Wilson Park
About 2 miles from downtown, Henry Anderson III Community Park offers walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, and horseshoe pits. From Wilson Park, locals can walk along the looped 1.25-mile path on the Red Trail or venture further along Bolin Creek on the Green Trail. "On Sunday mornings, I'll pick up an iced coffee and take my dog to a park or take her on a walk around one of the loops in Wilson Park or Martin Luther King Jr. Park," says Funkhouser, who also serves on the Recreation and Parks Commission for the town of Carrboro. Residents can also drive a few miles to expansive trails and parks in Chapel Hill, like Carolina North Forest and Battle Park.
Hank Anderson Community Park has an 18 hole frisbee golf course.
Martin Luther King Jr Park MLK is located just outside of Downtown Carrboro.
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Downtown Carrboro is distinctly walkable and bikeable
"Downtown Carrboro has been named one of the most bike-friendly places in the United States," says Wendy Tanson, a Chapel Hill broker with RE/MAX United. "There's lots of good bike infrastructure." Carrboro residents can bike or walk to the numerous stores and businesses on Main Street or to West Franklin Street, part of Chapel Hill's downtown area. Carrboro residents are less than 3 miles from UNC Hospitals and the UNC at Chapel Hill, two major employers in the area. Carrboro is about 20 miles from Durham and Research Triangle Park and 30 miles from Raleigh. Chapel Hill Transit's free buses travel around downtown Carrboro and Downtown Chapel Hill. Downtown Carrboro has a CAP Index crime score of 5 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Downtown Carrboro has been named one of the most bike-friendly places in the United States.
Chapel Hill Transit's free buses travel around Downtown Carrboro and Downtown Chapel Hill.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Carrboro Farmers Market and Playground
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
31 min drive
Bus
West Main Street & Thrift Store
Bus
Weaver Street & Lindsay Street
Bus
East Main Street & Lloyd Street
Bus
East Main Street & Arts Center Plaza
Bus
North Greensboro Street & Fitch Lumber
Bus
Main Street & Inter-Faith Council
Bus
Weaver Street & Weaver Street Market
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Carrboro
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
9
Median Year Built
1937
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,094
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Jennifer Coleman,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
181
Median Age
33
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$39,642
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$56,323
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.3%
College Graduates
47.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.8%
% Population in Labor Force
76.8%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
96/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
89/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
37/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
