Durham, North Carolina
Durham: The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
About
Durham is a city located in the county of Durham in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Its population at the 2010 census was 228,330 and a population density of 797 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 285,897 inhabitants.
The city was created 157 years ago in 1868.
Durham was founded in the mid 1800s as a railroad station and trading center. It was incorporated in 1869 and became known as the “Bull City” - a nickname related to its prominent tobacco industry.
By the early 1900s, Durham was the site of textile mills and cigarette factories. It was also home to North Carolina College for Negroes (now NCCU), the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts college for black students.
Research Triangle Park and Economy
In the 1950s and 60s, Durham’s economy transformed with the establishment of Research Triangle Park (RTP). This research and development hub helped make Durham a center for technology, biotech, and healthcare companies.
Major employers today include Duke University, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Blue Cross NC and Cisco Systems. RTP has helped make Durham an innovation and jobs hub.
Attractions and Culture
Popular attractions include:
- Duke University Campus - Known for its Gothic architecture and Duke Chapel.
- Durham Bulls Athletic Park - Home of the famous minor league baseball team.
- Museum of Life and Science - Dynamic science museum with hands-on exhibits.
- Downtown Durham - Revitalized area with restaurants, shops, craft breweries and more.
Durham is also an important center for African-American culture and history. It hosts one of the largest Juneteenth festivals in the nation.
With its storied history, thriving economy and research facilities, and diversity, Durham offers a high quality of life in the heart of North Carolina.
Quick Facts about Durham
| Population | 285,897 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | North Carolina (United States) |
| County | Durham County |
| Twitter username | CityofDurhamNC |
| Postal code | 27701–27713, 27722, 27715, 27717, 27701, 27713, 27708, 27712, 27702, 27703, 27707, 27711, 27704, 27705, 27709-4528, 27710, 27706, 27709 |
| Phone Area Codes | 919 |
| Area | 286.66 km2 |
| Official name | Durham |
| Latitude & Longitude | 35.9940,-78.8986 |
| Named for | Bartlett S. Durham |
| Official language | English |
| Altitude | 404 feet / 123 meters |
| Capital city | Durham is capital of Durham County |
| Establishment | January 01, 1869 (157 years ago) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone, UTC−05:00, UTC−04:00 |
| Local time | 18:14:08 (12th May 2026) |
| Density | 997 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 20.14% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 75℉ Areas Of Fog then Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
Durham is located at 35°59'39"N 78°53'55"W (35.9940300, -78.8986200).
Durham map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Weather
Areas of fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 0 to 3 mph.
7-Day Forecast- Arusha
- Kostroma
- Toyama
Demographics
The population of Durham increased by 20.14% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 5,485 | - | demographic balance |
| 1900 | 6,679 | 17.88% | demographic balance |
| 1910 | 18,241 | 63.38% | demographic balance |
| 2010 | 228,330 | 92.01% | census |
| 2011 | 235,341 | 2.98% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 241,117 | 2.4% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 246,992 | 2.38% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 253,290 | 2.49% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 258,647 | 2.07% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 265,499 | 2.58% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 269,844 | 1.61% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 274,557 | 1.72% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 278,993 | 1.59% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 285,897 | 2.41% | estimation process |
Best Things to Do in Durham
1American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell St #104, Durham, NC 27701, United States View details
Website available
2Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708, United States View details
Phone: +19196843698 | Website available
3Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705, United States View details
Phone: +19193831686 | Website available
4Durham Central Park
501 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701, United States View details
Phone: +19197948194 | Website available
5Museum of Life and Science
433 W Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704, United States View details
Phone: +19192205429 | Website available
Where to Eat in Durham
1Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
5006 Apex Highway 55, Durham, NC 27713, United States View details
Phone: +19195442275 | Website available
2Texas Roadhouse
1809 N Pointe Dr, Durham, NC 27705, United States View details
Phone: +19194718738 | Website available
3Maggiano's Little Italy
8030 Renaissance Pkwy suite 890, Durham, NC 27713, United States View details
Phone: +19195720070 | Website available
4Outback Steakhouse
3500 Mt Moriah Rd, Durham, NC 27707, United States View details
Phone: +19194932202 | Website available
5Cook Out
3119 Shannon Rd, Durham, NC 27707, United States View details
Phone: +19198648634 | Website available
Where to Stay in Durham
1Millennium Hotel Durham
2800 Campus Walk Ave, Durham, NC 27705, United States View details
Phone: +19193838575 | Website available
2DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park
4810 Page Creek Ln, Durham, NC 27703, United States View details
Phone: +19199416000 | Website available
3La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Univ Area Chapel Hill
4414 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707, United States View details
Phone: +19194019660 | Website available
4Red Roof Inn Durham - Duke University Medical Center
1915 N Pointe Dr, Durham, NC 27705, United States View details
Phone: +19194719882 | Website available
5Hampton Inn & Suites Durham/North I-85
1542 N Gregson St, Durham, NC 27701, United States View details
Phone: +19196888880 | Website available
Services and Civic Places in Durham
1Durham One Call
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195601200 | Website available
2Durham Department of Water Management
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195604381 | Website available
3Durham County Inspections Department
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195604144 | Website available
4Durham City/County Planning
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195604137 | Website available
5Durham City Council
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195601200 | Website available
6City of Durham Government
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195601200 | Website available
7Durham Human Resources Department
101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195604214 | Website available
8Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department
Building 2, 807 E Main St #300, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195601647 | Website available
9City Hall
Durham, NC 27703 View details
Website available
10Durham City Clerk
101 City Hall Plaza #2700, Durham, NC 27701 View details
Phone: +19195604166 | Website available
People born in Durham (197)
People born in Durham, including computer scientist Fred Brooks, actress Phoebe Dollar, basketball player Wendy Palmer, .
More notable people
- Betty Davis (American singer) she was born in 26/07/1945
- Ámbar Past (Mexican author) she was born in 01/01/1949
- Kim Graham (former American athlete and Olympic gold medallist) she was born in 26/03/1971
- Grady Tate (American jazz musician) he was born in 14/01/1932
- Anita Morris (American actress, singer and dancer (1943-1994)) she was born in 14/03/1943
- Rodney Rogers (American basketball player) he was born in 20/06/1971
- John D. Loudermilk (American singer and songwriter) he was born in 31/03/1934
- Benjamin Dean Meritt (American classical scholar) he was born in 31/03/1899
- Matt Harrison (Major League Baseball pitcher) he was born in 16/09/1985
- Howard T. Odum (American ecologist) he was born in 01/09/1924
- Bull City Red (American Piedmont blues guitarist and singer) he was born in 19/02/1917
- Brian Roberts (professional baseball player) he was born in 09/10/1977
- Clyde McPhatter (American singer) he was born in 15/11/1932
- David Aaron Baker (American actor) he was born in 14/08/1963
- Nick McCrory (American politician) he was born in 09/08/1991
- John Hart (American author with multiple books and awards) he was born in 01/01/1965
- Bob Gantt (American basketball player) he was born in 22/06/1922
- David Noel (American basketball player) he was born in 27/02/1984
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to Durham, NC. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 490948 | Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College | Durham (NC) | 27701 |
| 199157 | North Carolina Central University | Durham (NC) | 27707 |
| 198455 | Durham Technical Community College | Durham (NC) | 27703-5023 |
| 198419 | Duke University | Durham (NC) | 27708 |
| 199883 | Watts School of Nursing | Durham (NC) | 27705-2505 |
Nearby Transit Stations (14)
Rail and bus stations connected to Durham, NC. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNC | Durham | 400 W. Chapel Hill Street | RAIL |
| CYN | Cary | 211 North Academy Street | RAIL |
| NSF | North Carolina State Fair station | 1025 Blue Ridge Blvd. | RAIL |
| RGH | Raleigh Union Station | 320 West Cabarrus Street | RAIL |
| BNC | Burlington | 101 North Main Street | RAIL |
Closest post offices linked to Durham.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Post Office | Durham (NC) | 27701 |
| East Durham Post Office | Durham (NC) | 27703 |
| North Durham Post Office | Durham (NC) | 27704 |
| West Durham Post Office | Durham (NC) | 27705 |
| Shannon Plaza Post Office | Durham (NC) | 27707 |
Other places with the same name (7)
- Durham, New Hampshire town in New Hampshire with a population of 16,441 people.
- Durham, Connecticut town in Connecticut, United States with a population of 7,137 people.
- Durham, New York town in New York, United States with a population of 2,651 people.
- Durham, Oregon city in Oregon, USA with a population of 1,908 people.
- Durham, Pennsylvania city in United States of America with a population of 1,134 people.
- Durham, Illinois unincorporated community in Illinois with a population of 251 people.
- Durham, Kansas city in Marion County, Kansas, United States of America with a population of 20 people.
Distance to Other Cities
Durham distances to largest North Carolina cities