Durham is located in northern part of the North Carolina state. It is the fourth-largest city in the state of North Carolina, and 85th-largest in the country USA by population.
Durham, North Carolina Quick Facts
| City | Durham |
| County | Durham County, Wake County, Orange County |
| State | North Carolina |
| State Capital | Raleigh |
| US Region | South |
| Latitude | 35.9940° N |
| Longitude | 78.8986° W |
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Land Area (sq mi) | 112.94 |
| Water Area (sq mi) | 2.60 |
| Total Area (sq mi) | 115.54 |
| Population (2020 Census) | 283,506 |
| Population Density (per sq mi) | 2,511 |
| ZIP Codes | 27701, 27703, 27704, 27705, 27707, 27709, 27710, 27712, 27713, 27715, 27717 |
| Area Code | 919, 984 |
| Time Zone Standard | Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4) |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 37-19000 |
| Congressional District | North Carolina's 4th Congressional District |
Nearby Cities to Durham, North Carolina
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina - 11 mi Southwest
- Morrisville, North Carolina - 12 mi Southeast
- Cary, North Carolina - 18 mi Southeast
- Raleigh, North Carolina - 25 mi Southeast
- Hillsborough, North Carolina - 14 mi West
- Apex, North Carolina - 21 mi South
- Wake Forest, North Carolina - 29 mi East
- Burlington, North Carolina - 32 mi West
- Sanford, North Carolina - 39 mi South
- Greensboro, North Carolina - 52 mi West
Durham, North Carolina Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51 | 31 | 3.4 |
| April | 73 | 49 | 3.4 |
| July | 89 | 70 | 4.7 |
| October | 73 | 50 | 3.2 |
| Annual | 71 | 50 | 46.1 |
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Humid Subtropical (Cfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | 46.1 in |
| Annual Sunshine Days | 213 |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Moderate Hurricane Risk, Moderate Tornado Risk |
| Snowfall | 5.4 in |
Driving Distances from Durham, North Carolina
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | North Carolina | 11 | 20 min |
| Cary | North Carolina | 18 | 25 min |
| Raleigh | North Carolina | 25 | 30 min |
| Burlington | North Carolina | 32 | 35 min |
| Greensboro | North Carolina | 52 | 55 min |
| Winston-Salem | North Carolina | 79 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Fayetteville | North Carolina | 78 | 1 hr 20 min |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 145 | 2 hr 20 min |
| Richmond | Virginia | 170 | 2 hr 45 min |
| Asheville | North Carolina | 235 | 3 hr 45 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Durham, North Carolina
| Airport Name | Raleigh-Durham International Airport |
| IATA Code | RDU |
| Port | No Seaport |
| Major Highways | I-40, I-85, US 15, US 70, NC 147 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Available via Durham Station |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | GoDurham Transit and GoTriangle |
- Interstate 40 - Connects Durham with Raleigh, Greensboro, and Wilmington.
- Interstate 85 - Major route linking Durham with Virginia and Georgia.
- U.S. Route 15 - Connects the city with communities across North Carolina and Virginia.
- U.S. Route 70 - Major east-west corridor through the Research Triangle region.
- North Carolina Highway 147 - Durham Freeway serving downtown and surrounding areas.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Durham, North Carolina
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Duke University | University Campus |
| Sarah P. Duke Gardens | Botanical Garden |
| Museum of Life and Science | Museum |
| American Tobacco Campus | Historic District |
| Durham Bulls Athletic Park | Sports Venue |
| Nasher Museum of Art | Museum |
| Eno River State Park | State Park |
| Bennett Place | Historic Site |
| West Point on the Eno | Historic Site |
| Carolina Theatre | Historic Theater |
Economy and Major Employers in Durham, North Carolina
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Education | Duke University | Major educational and research institution. |
| Healthcare | Duke Health | One of the region's largest employers. |
| Technology | Research Triangle Park Companies | Supports innovation and high-tech jobs. |
| Biotechnology | Life Sciences Industry | Strong concentration of biotech firms. |
| Government | City and County Government | Provides public-sector employment. |
| Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceutical Research Companies | Important economic sector in the region. |
| Education | Durham Public Schools | Major local employer. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Entertainment | Supported by sports and cultural attractions. |
Colleges and Universities in Durham, North Carolina
| Institution Name | Type (Public/Private) | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Private | University | Research, medicine, and law programs |
| North Carolina Central University | Public | University | Historically Black university |
| Durham Technical Community College | Public | Community College | Career training and transfer programs |
| Duke University School of Medicine | Private | University | Medical education and research |
| Duke Divinity School | Private | University | Theological education |
| Watts College of Nursing | Private | College | Nursing education |
Waterbodies in Durham, North Carolina
Eno River, Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Little River Reservoir, Lake Michie, Flat River, Ellerbe Creek, New Hope Creek, Third Fork Creek, Mountain Creek Lake
Golf Courses in Durham, North Carolina
Duke University Golf Club, Hillandale Golf Course, Treyburn Country Club, Croasdaile Country Club, Falls Village Golf Club, The Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club, Hope Valley Country Club, Umstead Pines Golf & Swim Club, Occoneechee Golf Club, Duke Golf Club
Durham, North Carolina - Key Historical Facts
- Durham emerged as a railroad community in the mid-19th century and grew rapidly after the Civil War.
- The city became famous for its tobacco industry through companies such as W.T. Blackwell and American Tobacco.
- Durham was one of the leading tobacco manufacturing centers in the United States during the late 1800s.
- Duke University traces its origins to Trinity College, which relocated to Durham in 1892.
- Research Triangle Park, established in 1959, helped transform the local economy toward technology and research.
- Today Durham is recognized for higher education, healthcare, biotechnology, and innovation.
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