Town · North Carolina
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hillsborough, town, in Orange County, North Carolina. Hillsborough had 9,778 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,660 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 9,724 (±44). GEOID 3731620.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,778
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,660 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,724 ±44
Median household income
$98,163
±$25,635 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$460,100
±$32,156 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,368
±$209 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Hillsborough and what county is it in?
Hillsborough is a town in Orange County, North Carolina. It covers 5.8 square miles of land, 1,676 residents per square mile in 2020.
Hillsborough is in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Hillsborough, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 9,778 people lived in Hillsborough on July 1, 2025, up 1.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 9,660 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 9,724 (±44).
| Measure | Hillsborough | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,724 ±44 | 149,678 | +2,609 |
| Households | 4,146 ±296 | 57,342 | +1,407 |
| Average household size | 2.26 ±0.16 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,522 ±313 | 62,858 | +1,473 |
Hillsborough's population since 2000
From 5,446 in 2000 to 9,778 in 2025: up 79.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Hillsborough as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Hillsborough?
The median resident of Hillsborough is 42.5 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.2%. 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hillsborough | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5 ±2.5 | 36.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% ±3.0 pts | 18.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.8% ±3.3 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Male | 47.0% ±3.5 pts | 47.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.2% ±3.5 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.9% ±4.8 pts | 66.2% | +13.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.2% ±2.7 pts | 10.1% | −12.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±1.9 pts | 7.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.8% ±2.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.7% ±3.7 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.2% ±4.3 pts | 17.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1% ±1.6 pts | 4.7% | – |
| With a disability | 12.0% ±2.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6% ±2.1 pts | 6.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5% ±2.6 pts | 93.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 61.4% ±5.3 pts | 61.8% | +9.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 31.2% ±4.9 pts | 34.6% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.6% ±4.1 pts | 82.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.2% ±2.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Hillsborough earn?
Half of Hillsborough's 4,146 households earn less than $98,163 a year (±$25,635), against $90,089 in Orange County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $79,500 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hillsborough | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $98,163 ±$25,635 | $90,089 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $127,125 ±$12,430 | $136,307 | – |
| Per capita income | $54,038 ±$5,742 | $52,900 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.0% ±3.1 pts | 12.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.6% ±5.8 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5% ±3.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.7% ±0.5 pts | 97.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.9% ±1.8 pts | 94.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Hillsborough?
Owners occupy 63.8% of Hillsborough's occupied homes and renters 36.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $460,100 by its owner (±$32,156). The median renter pays $1,368 a month including utilities, and 37.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hillsborough | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $460,100 ±$32,156 | $459,500 | +$138,643 |
| Median gross rent | $1,368 ±$209 | $1,496 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.4% ±13.4 pts | 48.5% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,067 ±$164 | $2,221 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.8% ±6.2 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 36.2% ±6.2 pts | 36.2% | – |
| Housing units | 4,522 ±313 | 62,858 | +1,473 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±2.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5% ±4.3 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.9% ±6.0 pts | 59.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 7.7% ±3.5 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 32.5% ±5.2 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.5% ±2.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.3% ±2.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Hillsborough work and get to work?
64.7% of Hillsborough's workers drive alone and 29.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.7 minutes.
| Measure | Hillsborough | Orange County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.2% ±4.1 pts | 61.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% ±2.7 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 64.7% ±5.6 pts | 55.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 3.8% ±2.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 29.2% ±5.4 pts | 26.8% | +21.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.7 min ±1.9 | 23.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Hillsborough?
1 census tract lies mostly in Hillsborough, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 110.01Orange County | 5,165 | $137,375 |
| Tract 110.02Orange County | 4,799 | $62,310 |
| Tract 109.02Orange County | 6,221 | $91,250 |
| Tract 111.06Orange County | 2,472 | $79,042 |
| Tract 111.03Orange County | 3,472 | $64,107 |
| Tract 111.07Orange County | 5,098 | $82,821 |
| Tract 109.03Orange County | 2,471 | $113,859 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Hillsborough) · Census block assignment files
How does Hillsborough compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Hillsborough is the 3,264th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 96th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Hillsborough ranks 66th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 96th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 255th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th | 443 |
| Median household income | 66th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 56th | 443 |
| Median home value | 50th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 87th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 271st | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th | 421 |
| Median age | 177th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 251st | 443 |
| Work from home | 22nd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 309th | 439 |
Hillsborough's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Hillsborough with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Hillsborough?
11 of the 57 figures for Hillsborough on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Hillsborough are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Hillsborough.