Communities

Durham County is home to only one municipality, the city of Durham. You may have heard Durham referred to as the City of Medicine, home of Duke University and Duke University Hospital, but there is a lot more to the “Bull City.” Durham prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity, vibrant culture, and pure grit. It is home to award-winning restaurants, its own minor league baseball team, and a thriving music and art scene. And don’t forget the American Tobacco Campus (the adaptive reuse of the former American Tobacco factory), which is home to restaurants, shops, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and Durham Performing Arts Center, known locally as DPAC.

For more information about Durham, visit Discover Durham.

There’s more to Orange County than UNC Chapel Hill! While Chapel Hill and the university are both a huge and valuable part of what shapes Orange County, we can’t forget about the other municipalities: Carrboro and Hillsborough. Located on the Eno River, Hillsborough – the county seat – is a beautiful, small, historic town. Carrboro – easily one of the Triangle’s hippest and most progressive communities – is a haven for artists and writers, filled with eclectic galleries, indie music venues and festivals, and restaurants.

Municipalities in Orange County include:
Chapel Hill
Hillsborough

To learn more, visit:
Orange County Economic Development
Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce

The Triangle’s largest county in terms of land mass and population, Wake County is home to 1.1M people and is growing more than twice as fast as the rest of the state. Composed of 12 different municipalities ranging from suburban living to city dwelling to rural life, Wake County has it all. Short commutes, easy access to nature, vibrant entertainment and shopping, and the largest public school system in the state all make for a great place to live.

Municipalities in Wake County include:
Apex
Cary
Fuquay-Varina
Garner
Holly Springs
Knightdale
Morrisville
Raleigh
Rolesville
Wake Forest
Wendell
Zebulon

For more information on Wake County visit:
Wake County Economic Development
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

Chatham County

Located in the center of North Carolina, Chatham County is situated between two of the state’s three largest centers of population and commerce – the Research Triangle and the Piedmont Triad. Chatham County is an attractive place to live and do business, best known for its low cost of living, abundant recreation opportunities, and energetic historic main streets.

Chatham County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina. The region and the state are frequently ranked as best places for business in the United States. 

A strong quality of life attracts a diverse resident workforce and innovative companies that value strong education, recreation opportunities and vibrant communities. A strategic location provides an avenue to the urban amenities found in nearby Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro and other great cities.

Learn more about Chatham County.

Franklin County

Franklin County offers the experience of rural living while still being in close proximity to the research, development, and educational assets that thrive in the nearby Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area and Research Triangle Park. With the presence of a strong infrastructure, healthcare services, educational opportunities, and an active community with business development incentives, Franklin County is an attractive site for a multitude of businesses.

Learn more about Franklin County.

Granville County

Home to over 903 businesses and 16 manufacturing companies employing over 100 people, Granville County’s rich heritage and rural beauty blends harmoniously with its modern, business-friendly environment. 

A vibrant mix of industry, agriculture, retail, and recreation makes Granville County an ideal location to live, work, and play. Located just north of the Raleigh-Durham and Research Triangle Park areas, Granville offers big-city accessibility with the friendly atmosphere of small towns.

Learn more about Granville County.

Harnett County

Distinctly located between the urban areas of Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park to the north, Fayetteville and Fort Bragg to the south, Harnett County businesses benefit from access to a diverse, highly skilled, and rapidly growing talent pool. Offering affordable land served by excellent infrastructure, moderate tax rates, competitive cost of living, and easy access to regional and national markets, Harnett County’s proximity to assets provides strategic advantages for business expansion and location.

Learn more about Harnett County.

Johnston County

Johnston County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, thanks to its eleven rapidly expanding and welcoming communities. Bolstered by Clayton, Smithfield, Selma, and Benson, four towns with the highest population, the County’s overall economy is diversified with a balance of industrial, expanding commercial, and agriculture enterprises. 

Johnston County is a dynamic and diverse place. Depending on where you look, you’ll find small, close-knit communities near fast-growing subdivisions. The only constant across this county is that change is happening. And thanks to many recent business expansions and relocations, most people will tell you that the change is more than OK.

Learn more about Johnston County.

Lee County 

The Southern base of the Research Triangle Region offers access to world-class expertise, an exceptional transportation network, and a vital and diversified industrial base that makes everyone more successful – all with a high quality of life.

Learn more about Lee County.

Nash County

Uniquely situated at the gateway between Raleigh-Durham and the I-95 corridor in Eastern North Carolina, Nash County offers a broad range of opportunities and a low cost of doing business for new and growing companies. Over the years, the county has evolved into a manufacturing and pharmaceutical powerhouse, helped in part by its distribution-friendly location at a junction for major highways and railways. Nash offers a diverse workforce, strong local economy, and a wonderful place to call home for growing families and businesses.

Learn more about Nash County.

Person County

With an exceptional quality of life, a world-class workforce, outstanding training offered locally at Piedmont Community College and a rich history in manufacturing and agriculture, Person County is a safe, commutable community that will help any business thrive. 

Expect economic diversity from this area, where the industrial base varies from such products as automotive and computer components to electrical production, wood products, fabricated metals, LED lighting components, and non-woven fabrics. Telecommunication capabilities include outstanding fiber-optic cable and broadband, and enhanced cellular transmission. Extensive agricultural opportunities also abound, thanks to the county’s rural heritage and favorable climate.

Learn more about Person County.

Warren County

County officials boast that Warren offers something more: A congestion-free environment conducive to productivity and morale. A haven for textiles, manufacturing, agribusiness, and tourism, Warren County continues to be defined by its business-friendly government, low cost of living, favorable climate, and an eager, diversified, and trainable workforce.

Learn more about Warren County. 

Wilson County 

Wilson County is only an hour’s drive to RDU International Airport, which means residents and businesses can access metropolitan areas easily. It’s also home to almost one hundred manufacturers, a large agri-business presence, growing businesses, and an array of local attractions.

Learn more about Wilson County.