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History
Named for Dr. Bartlett Durham, Durham originated in 1853 as a railroad depot. Durham was incorporated in 1869 and soon became known for its tobacco and textiles. The tobacco manufacturing industry focused worldwide attention on the area after the Civil War. Bull Durham Tobacco and American Tobacco Trust combined to produce a majority of US cigarettes and smoking tobacco. As a result of that thriving business, Durham grew and prospered tremendously.
The tobacco industry dominated the city. Durham quickly developed a vibrant community. Although the center of the African-American community was an area known as 'Hayti' (pronounced HAY-Tie), members of the African-American community established some of the most prominent and successful African-American-owned businesses in the country during the early 20th century. These businesses, the best known of which are North Carolina Mutual Insurance Co., and Mechanics & Farmers' Bank, were centered on Parrish St. in downtown Durham, which would come to be known as "Black Wall Street".
In the 1950s, Durham took on a new venture with the development of Research Triangle Park. The region benefited significantly from this establishment, bringing several large businesses and industries to the area. Due to this development, the tobacco industry began to experience the effects. A new era in economic development was ushered in and the economic base in Durham began its transformation.
Durham's growth began to rekindle during the 1980s, with the construction of multiple housing developments, and the beginnings of downtown revitalization. Today, Durham is a vibrant, unique community that continues to grow and prosper with new industry and amenities for all.
For more information about Durham’s history, click here (link http://www.durham-nc.com/about/overview-facts-history/history_glance.php)
Accolades
Triangle Business Journal-May 2011
Durham ranked highest paying in the South.
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2011/05/11/durham-boasts-highest-wages-in-south.html
Forbes- April 2010
Durham, NC was No. 10 on the list Where Americans Spend the Most
http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/01/consumer-spending-cities-lifestyle-income-expenses_slide_2.html
Market Watch- December 2010
Durham tied for No. 11 on the list of the "Best Cities" for Business
http://www.marketwatch.com/Graphic-Features/best-cities-for-biz?link=skey
Yahoo Finance-September 2010
Durham listed as one of America’s Up and Coming cities.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110748/15-up-and-coming-cities
Yahoo Finance-May 2010
Listed as one of the 20 Cities Surviving the Recession
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109518/20-cities-surviving-the-recession
Money Magazine- September 2010
Durham ranked No. 1 Best Place to Retire
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/real_estate/1009/gallery.best_places_retire.moneymag/index.html
Daily Beast- May 2010
Durham Ranked No. 4 Best City for college grads
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-26/best-cities-for-college-graduates-from-ithaca-to-seattle/2/
New York Times-January 2011
Durham Listed Among 41 Places to Go.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html?pagewanted=4
Wall Street Journal-August 2010
Durham ranked as having the No. 1 Housing Market in the U.S
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791804575439871207245044.html?KEYWORDS=durham+nc
The Daily Beast –September 2010
Durham MSA ranked No. 2 on the list of America’s Brainiest Cities
http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/1995/2/
Portfolio.com –December 2010
Durham ranked No.4 Brainiest Bastion in America
http://www.portfolio.com/slideshows/2010/12/25-Most-Educated-Cities
MSN Real Estate-September 2010
Durham ranked seventh among the 2010 Most Livable Bargain Markets
http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=25351136#8
The Atlantic Monthly-September 2010
Durham MSA projected to have the ninth-highest Creative Class Job Growth in the country
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/08/the-geography-of-high-paying-jobs/60918/
Forbes-September 2010
Durham ranked No. 1 among the Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs
http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/14/best-medium-cities-jobs-opinions-columnists-employment_slide_8.html
NBC Today Show-March 2010
Durham named the fourth most affordable city in America
Bundle-May 2010
Durham ranked No. 5 among Top-Eating Cities
Forbes.com –November 2010
Duke University ranked the fifth best College in the South
http://www.forbes.com/2010/11/12/best-colleges-south-leadership-careers-2010-top_slide_6.html
Hanley Wood Market Intelligence-February 2010
Durham MSA named the Sixth Healthiest Housing Market in the U.S
American Institute for Economic Research-September 2010
Durham MSA ranked the seventh among the Best Places for College Students to Live
http://www.aier.org/aier/otherpublications/CDI.pdf
CNBC-December 2010
Duke University named the No. 9 College That Brings the Highest Paycheck
http://www.cnbc.com/id/40703034?slide=8
U.S News and World Report-August 2010
Duke University tied for the ninth on the 2011 list of America’s Best Colleges
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities
U.S News and World Report-July 2010
Duke University Hospital ranked No. 10 among America’s Best Hospitals, 2010-2011
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-hospitals/articles/2010/07/14/best-hospitals-2010-11-the-honor-roll
Self-Guided Orientation
The Self-Guided Orientation to Durham is an all-inclusive look into the Durham community. Provided by the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Durham Guides & Self-Guided Tours provides information about Durham's arts and culture from its thriving business environment and economy.
Click here to view Durham Guides & Self-Guided Tours.
Cost of Living
Our competitive cost of living, world-class health care, and wealth of recreational and cultural resources combined with quality schools, top-notch colleges and universities, extraordinary dining and shopping opportunities all contribute to the exceptional quality of life that Durham residents enjoy. Durham is home to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park (“RTP”), home of more than 170 high tech companies, as well as a thriving entrepreneurial community, making it a great place to pursue employment. Housing options range from urban warehouse lofts to cozy suburban family neighborhoods to quiet horse farms in the county.
Community Profile
Our competitive cost of living, world-class health care, and wealth of recreational and cultural resources combined with quality schools, top-notch colleges and universities, extraordinary dining and shopping opportunities all contribute to the exceptional quality of life that Durham residents enjoy. Durham is home to the world-renowned Research Triangle Park (“RTP”), home of more than 170 high tech companies, as well as a thriving entrepreneurial community, making it a great place to pursue employment.
Durham boasts a community of individuals who come from all over the world and all walks of life. And one of its most significant distinguishing characteristics is the high educational attainment of its residents – 44% of adults over 25 years of age in Durham County have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree.
But don’t take it from us. The U.S. Census Bureau says it all, from demographics, to housing costs, to business facts to geography. All the data is there at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37063.html
Click here to view the 2013-2013 Durham Visitor & Relocation Guide.