Living in Hillsborough, North Carolina

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hillsborough · Census data 2020–2024

Hillsborough has 9,724 residents with a median age of 42.5. The median household income is $98,163 (36% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $460,100, the median rent is $1,368/month.

Hillsborough at a glance

Population
9,724
Median age
42.5State: 39.1
Median household income
$98,163State: $72,388
Median home value
$460,100State: $288,900
Median rent
$1,368/moState: $1,228
Homeowners
63.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
61.4%
Average commute
22 min

Is Hillsborough a good place to live?

Pros: Median household income 36% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 8%.

Cons: Home values 59% higher than the state median.

The weather is best in April–May and September–October.

Cost of living in Hillsborough

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hillsborough the median home value is $460,100, 38% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,368 per month, which is 30.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,067 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Hillsborough$460,100
North Carolina$288,900
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Hillsborough$1,368
North Carolina$1,228
United States$1,413

Hillsborough median household income

The median household income in Hillsborough is $98,163 and the income per person is $54,038. 8% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).

Median household income

Hillsborough$98,163
North Carolina$72,388
United States$80,734

Housing in Hillsborough: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
4,522
Owner-occupied
63.8%
Renter-occupied
36.2%
Vacant
8.3%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
2001
Average household size
2.26

Hillsborough demographics

Population
9,724
Median age
42.5
Under 18
22.6%
65 and older
17.8%
Households
4,146
Foreign-born
9.7%
Veterans
6.1%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White75.2%
Hispanic or Latino8.2%
Black8.2%
Asian2.8%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hillsborough ›

Education in Hillsborough

61.4% of adults 25 and older in Hillsborough have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 31.2% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Hillsborough61.4%
North Carolina35.7%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Hillsborough

Unemployment rate
4.1%State: 4.7%
Average commute
22 minState: 25 min
Work from home
29.2%
Drive alone
64.7%
Public transit
0.8%
Walk to work
0.6%
Homes with broadband
97.9%

Hillsborough vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Hillsborough9,724$98,163$460,100$1,368
Efland1,611$65,735$234,600—
Carrboro21,204$85,743$539,400$1,470
Mebane19,538$83,174$338,900$1,283
Chapel Hill61,607$85,989$613,700$1,613
Woodlawn1,085$72,734$327,600$841
Durham291,467$81,619$392,800$1,508
Saxapahaw1,301$59,000$194,000$753
Green Level3,230$55,823$168,400$891

More for people moving to Hillsborough

Hillsborough ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Hillsborough: FAQ

What is the median household income in Hillsborough, NC?

The median household income in Hillsborough is $98,163, 36% higher than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Hillsborough?

The median home value in Hillsborough is $460,100, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.

How much is rent in Hillsborough?

The median gross rent in Hillsborough is $1,368 per month, about 30.9% of household income.

Is Hillsborough, NC a good place to live?

Pluses: median household income 36% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%; a poverty rate of 8%. Minuses: home values 59% higher than the state median.

What is the median age in Hillsborough?

The median age in Hillsborough is 42.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).

How long is the commute in Hillsborough?

The average commute to work in Hillsborough is 22 minutes; 29.2% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Hillsborough?

The unemployment rate in Hillsborough is 4.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Hillsborough?

61.4% of adults in Hillsborough have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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