Data Center
Amid the pastoral landscapes and historic towns of Orange County, a vibrant center of education, culture, research, and commerce thrives. The combination of strategic location and great quality of life make Orange County a sought after place in which to live and work.
The towns – Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Mebane (23%) – and the rural areas of the county are marked by a stable labor market, a well-educated work force, low unemployment, and a healthy, diversified employment base. Recent job growth has been strong in the areas of health care and service.
At the heart of Orange County is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The first public university to open its doors, UNC-Chapel Hill is perennially ranked as one of the nation’s best undergraduate institutions. For the tenth year, Kiplingers 100 Best Values in Public Colleges Report ranked UNC-Chapel Hill the best value in US public colleges. The county’s two local public school systems (Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Orange County) are rated among the best in the Southeastern United States.
The convergence of Interstates 40 and 85 in central Orange County gives the area easy access to both the Research Triangle and Piedmont Triad regions. RDU Airport is about 18 miles east of Chapel Hill, while Piedmont Triad International lies roughly 40 miles west of Hillsborough.
Major employers include UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Hospitals, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, Sports Endeavors, PHE, and A Southern Season. Chapel Hill and Carrboro offer exceptional dining, nightlife and eclectic shopping opportunities. Historic Hillsborough is home to over 100 structures dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Learn more about Orange County:
- Demographics and Trends
- Workforce
- Largest Employers
- Education
- Transportation
- Taxation
- Utilities and Water
- Environmental
- Government
- Healthcare
- Regional Partners
- Quality of Life
- Cost of Living
- Housing
- Available Properties