Hillsborough, founded in 1754, is the county seat of Orange County, which was founded in 1752. Hillsborough encompasses 4.3 square miles in central Orange County and is surrounded by rolling hills and is marked by a stable labor market, low unemployment and a healthy, diversified industry base.

Population Orange County is a largely rural county, with only three municipalities and several named settlements, such as Cedar Grove and Schley. The North Carolina Office of State Planning estimates that Orange County's population will be 129,791 in 2005 and will rise to 162, 033 by 2020.   2002 Estimate 2000 Census Orange County 122,526 118,227 Hillsborough 5,535 5,446 Unincorporated Areas (Calculated)   48,487 Source: NC Office of State Planning, US Census Median family income in Hillsborough: $46,793

Schools Two school systems serve Orange County: Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools. Most residents of Hillsborough and northern Orange County attend Orange County Schools. The system currently serves approximate 6,200 students at 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 high schools. Cedar Ridge High School has recently been approved for an International Baccalaureate program. For more information, click here. In addition to its great public school system, Hillsborough offers several private school options. Abundant Life Christian Academy and Emerson Waldorf School are two examples.

Higher Education Orange County is the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Residents also have easy access to Durham Technical Community College, with its main campus in East Durham, and Alamance Community College in Haw River, to the west of Hillsborough. Durham Technical Community College offers many courses at locations throughout Orange County, including the Orange County Skills Development/Joblink Center at 503 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. In addition, construction has begun on a satellite campus of Durham Technical Community College south of Hillsborough, scheduled to open in early 2008.

Utilities Water - The Town of Hillsborough provides water and sewer service to residents and businesses, where available. Residents outside of town limits pay a higher rate than those within town limits. To view a rate sheet, please click here. The Town of Hillsborough Water Other water and sewer providers within Orange County include: Chapel Hill & Carrboro - Orange Water & Sewer Authority: 919-968-4421

Churches Click here for a list of Orange County Churches, their addresses, and phone numbers.

Media In addition to local coverage by the News and Observer, published in Raleigh, Hillsborough and Orange County events are covered both a daily and weekly newspaper. The Chapel Hill Herald, a daily paper published by the Herald-Sun in Durham, is a special "front" dedicated to events in Hillsborough and Orange County, including Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The News of Orange County is a weekly paper located at 109 East King Street in Hillsborough. This paper covers Hillsborough and northern Orange County exclusively.

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