$535,496Average Value$332Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Watts Hospital-Hillandale blends history with new development
On the north side of Duke University’s campus and just west of Durham’s City Center, Watts Hospital-Hillandale was named for the community’s history in medicine and its need for outdoor recreation. Watt’s Hospital was Durham’s first hospital, built in 1895, and began as a private institution that treated residents who couldn’t afford healthcare. James Duke was so inspired by Watt that he co-created the state’s first medical college, Duke University, which allowed students to work alongside Watt’s Hospital. Another prominent North Carolina figure, John Sprunt Hill was a philanthropist who married into the Watts family. “John Watts and John Hill were tired of driving to another golf course, so they made Hillandale,” says Karl Kimball, Director of Golf at Hillandale Golf Course.
In addition to the town's medical and golf-related past, Watts Hospital-Hillandale boasts a historic district teeming with vintage homes encircling Oval Drive Park, which hosts community events like the annual Art Walk. The town is wedged between the busy Interstate 85 and Durham Freeway, which runs parallel to Business Route 70, where most of the neighborhood’s niche retail and trendy eateries can be found. Because of its prime location near the university and major thoroughfares, there are several new construction projects underway throughout the community.
The Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina is knosits across from Durham's downtown.
Many people in the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood work at Duke University.
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Events at Oval Drive Park and giving back at Hillandale Golf Course
Oval Drive Park is a small green space in the heart of Watts Hospital-Hillandale's Historic District, where there is a playground, athletic courts and fields. During the neighborhood’s annual Art Walk in November, residents can stroll through this historic area and peruse artists’ showcases of mixed media. The community also puts on an Independence Day Parade around Oval Drive Park, an event that celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024. Both Indian Trail Park and Westover Park feature a playground and an entrance to the West Ellerbee Creek Trail, which is part of the 30-plus-mile Durham Trail System.
The Hillandale Golf Course has a public 18-hole course, a rich history and a philanthropic spirit. “The course hosted its first round of golf back in 1912, making it one of the oldest courses in the state,” Kimball says. “And we have Grill at the Hill, which I think has the best burritos and tacos in town. But we’re trying to be even more than just a golf course.” Hillandale Golf Course has its own 501C program called the H.E.A.R.T.S. Club, dedicated to supporting patients at the Duke Children’s Hospital Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit. “We bring the children down here to play and ride around,” Kimball says. “We’ve expanded the program to the point where we’ll buy the kids laptops if they’re missing too much school. We’ll pay for any car repair the parents may need, provide food or whatever the family needs. We even send lunches up to the nurses, all funded by money from the golf course.”
Oval Drive Park has a playground, tennis courts and basketball courts in the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
Watts Hospital-Hillandale is home to the Hillandale public golf course.
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Duke University, the DPAC and the Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Duke University is a private institution known for its trailblazing advancements in research and prestigious courses of study in medicine. The university is also renowned for its athletics, and the men’s basketball team has won five NCAA Division I championships.
In downtown Durham, the DPAC is a popular performing arts center that hosts Broadway shows like Hamilton and Wicked, comedy acts and concerts. Big names that have come to the DPAC include Jerry Seinfeld, Patti LaBelle and Travis Tritt. Next to the theater is the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where the minor league Durham Bulls play baseball.
The DPAC features comedy shows, live music and Broadway performances and is right down the road from the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park is located not far from Watts Hospital-Hillandale, and is a great place to catch a ball game.
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Craftsman Transitional, ranch-style and spacious cottage-style homes
Gridded residential streets shaded by leafy green trees reveal two-story Transitional homes featuring contemporary and Craftsman-like elements, some with attached single-car garages and others with second-floor balconies. Prices start around $490,000 for a 1,300-square-foot home and rise to about $625,000 for 1,800 square feet. Watts Hospital-Hillandale also has 1,000- to 1,500-square-foot ranch-style homes originally built in the 1950s priced between $295,000 and $575,000, depending on their level of renovation. Additionally, there are many large, two-story colonial-style and cottage-style properties with attached garages and spacious front patios, spanning from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet and priced from $875,000 to $1.65 million. Homes that are located near Business Route 70 and the Durham Freeway are classified as “loud” on Soundscore, which measures noise from a community’s environmental factors.
Tree lined streets fill the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
One of Durham's oldest neighborhoods, Watts Hospital-Hillandale has many historic residence.
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Local dining and grocery shopping on Business Route 70
The south side of Watts Hospital-Hillandale is bounded by Business Route 70, where residents can run errands and grab a bite to eat at a variety of restaurants. Elmo’s Diner is a popular spot for breakfast, and Rockin’ Sushi Rolls serves all-you-can-eat Japanese cuisine from conveyor belts. Bullock’s Bar-B-Que has been family-owned since 1952, and the photographs covering the walls depict all the celebrities they have served throughout the years. Nearby, Local 22 is a gastropub that offers seasonal cocktails and craft beer. For groceries, Harris Teeter, Food Lion and Whole Food are all on Route 70.
Watts Hospital-Hillandale is home to the famous Bullock's Bar-B-Q.
Rockin’ Sushi Rolls serves all-you-can-eat Japanese cuisine from conveyor belts in the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
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The Durham Public Schools district and the No. 1 STEM high school
Durham Public Schools, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche, serves students living in Watts Hospital-Hillandale. They can begin at EK Powe Elementary School, which holds a B, before advancing to Brogden Middle School, which has a C. Riverside High School receives a B-plus and offers dual enrollment courses and technical courses of study through its partnership with Durham Technical Community College. Located in the neighborhood, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is an A-plus-rated public STEM school for high school students. The secondary school, which Niche ranks as the No. 1 public high school in the country, is in the same building as the former Watts Hospital, which underwent renovations before reopening as a STEM Academy.
Riverside High School in Durham, NC serves 1731 students in grades 9-12 in the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics serves 975 students in Watts Hospital-Hillandale.
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Getting around on Interstate 85 and the Durham Freeway
Residents have access to both Interstate 85, which runs across the northern part of the neighborhood, and the Durham Freeway, which cuts through the southern part. They can hop onto either thoroughfare to reach Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which is about 15 miles away. The interstate and freeway also make for 10-mile commutes to Chapel Hill and 25-mile commutes to Raleigh. GoDurham, formerly called Durham Area Transit Authority, is the bus system that services the community. The bus makes several stops along Business Route 70, which runs parallel to the freeway. Duke University Hospital is a tertiary- and quaternary-care hospital, and the Duke Medical Pavilion extension is for critical care and surgery.
RDU airport is 15 miles from the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
Go Durham buses serve the Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leslie Douglas,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Westover Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Trails
Indian Trail
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Raleigh-Durham International
26 min drive
Bus
Broad St & F St (Nc School Of Science And Math)
Bus
Service Rd & Hillandale Rd (Eb)
Bus
Service Rd & Hillandale Rd (Wb)
Bus
Broad St & Forest Rd (Sb)
Bus
Broad St & Sprunt Ave (Sb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Watts Hospital-Hillandale
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Watts Hospital-Hillandale, Durham sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Watts Hospital-Hillandale, Durham over the last 12 months is $549,972, down 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom ranch-style home. Built in 1959, this single-story residence offers 960 square feet of comfortable living space, featuring beautifully finished hardwood floors throughout, no carpet in sight. The bright and airy interior is complemented by modern updates, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Situated on a 0.21-acre lot, the property boasts a nearly
Welcome to the latest episode of Selling Sunset!! This beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home is located in the coveted Watts-Hillandale neighborhood. Fully renovated down to the studs in 2017, all of the home's major systems were updated, including the roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, windows, and a tankless water heater, ensuring modern comfort and efficiency. The kitchen and
*MOTIVATED SELLER*Don't miss your chance to own this fully renovated 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom all-brick home, ideally located within walking distance of shopping and dining. Every inch of this home has been meticulously updated with luxurious finishes, high-end appliances, and stunning hardwood floors throughout. The spacious, light-filled living areas create a welcoming atmosphere, while the
Charming Renovated Bungalow Near Duke University!!! 2207 Edwin Ave is a beautifully renovated bungalow that seamlessly blends historic charm with modern upgrades. Nestled in a prime Durham location, just six minutes from Duke University, this home is ideal for those seeking character, convenience, and contemporary comforts.••A Perfect Blend of Old & New - Originally built to
Welcome to Vivo Living Durham, where you'll find a living experience that's second to none. Our community in the heart of Durham offers a unique blend of convenience and style. With a location that puts you right in the center of everything Durham has to offer, modern and thoughtfully designed living spaces, and a range of amenities to enhance your daily life, we provide a living experience
AVAILABLE NOW! Fully furnished cottage in the heart of popular Watts Hillandale neighborhood close to Duke campus, Duke Hospital, 9th St. business district, and downtown Durham. Home features 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, hardwood and tile floors, and a fully appointed kitchen. All appliances, bed linens, towels and kitchen necessities are provided. ATT high speed internet, utilities, lawn care, and
Desirable one-story spacious house in Watts-Hillandale. Walking distance to Duke Hospital and Duke campuses. Close to public transportation and walkable to the supermarket and 9th Street. The two bedrooms currently for rent share a hallway bathroom. Living room has a sliding door out to a lovely backyard. Flex room can be used as an office, den or separate dining room. Large front
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leslie Douglas,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,844
Median Age
41
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$119,747
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$136,455
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.1%
College Graduates
74.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
58/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
30/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
36/ 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.
