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Home away from home The Town of Chapel Hill

Home of the Tar Heels

Chapel Hill routinely ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States. Its reputation is driven by the diverse social, cultural and professional opportunities that flow between the campus and town. Chapel Hill has it all — from live music and eclectic dining to quiet trails and parks.

Discover why Tar Heels call Chapel Hill home not just for the years they are here but for life.

  • 61,960town residents
  • 730acres of parks
  • 34.3miles of on-street bicycle facilities
  • 17.6miles of greenway
  • 117full-service restaurants
  • 2ndlargest transit system in North Carolina

Explore Chapel Hill

  • Franklin Street

    A vibrant community

    Whether you want to get out and hike, catch a concert or relax by shopping and grabbing a bite to eat, Chapel Hill and the neighboring Carrboro have something for everybody.

  • A mural of a chapel hill post card.

    Murals of Chapel Hill

    The Town of Chapel Hill is home to more than restaurants and shops. Throughout the town, you'll find street art adding unique color to buildings and alleys. Learn more about Chapel Hill's one-of-a-kind murals.

  • People walk along Chapel Hill's Franklin Street under a U.N.C. flag flying from a building.

    Downtown Partnership

    Curious about what's going on in Chapel Hill? The Downtown Partnership has you covered. From upcoming events to maps to business resources, the Downtown Partnership can help you make the most out of your time in Chapel Hill.

Partners and good neighbors

Carolina and the Town of Chapel Hill go hand-in-hand. The two institutions have worked together for more than two centuries to provide opportunities for both residents and students studying at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The University is dedicated to serving our neighbors and partnering with Chapel Hill to foster a thriving, welcoming and inviting community for all.

Business development

Tar Heels don’t rest idly on campus. We’re busy making our communities better places to work and live. Our passion for economic and community impact is reflected in the Carolina Economic Development Strategy, a top-tier, Chancellor-level initiative and a partnership between the University and Town of Chapel Hill.

Together, we’re accelerating downtown’s economic vibrancy, expanding career opportunities for students, and broadening the University’s partnerships with businesses, research organizations and government agencies.

  • An artist rendering of 136 Rosemary Street.

    UNC-Chapel Hill and Town of Chapel Hill leaders recently established a new partnership to launch a downtown Chapel Hill innovation hub, which will anchor a town-gown strategy for growing more innovation-focused companies, industry partnerships and talent.

    Learn more about the innovation hub
  • A woman talks at Launch Chapel Hill

    A partnership between UNC-Chapel Hill, Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill, Launch has been serving the local community by providing area startups with support and resources. The program launched its 20th cohort of companies this summer.

    Learn more about Launch Chapel Hill
  • Carolina Coffee Shop in 1964

    Carolina’s more than 355,00 alumni live around the country and around the world, but some have stuck close to home, and their presence here has enriched the Chapel Hill community. Among them are Heather O’Reilly ’07, Clay Schossow ’08, David Werry ’06 and Jeff Hortman ’06, who purchased the Carolina Coffee Shop to carry on the restaurant’s legacy on Franklin Street.

    Read about the shop's 100-year legacy in Chapel Hill