[Durham County]

samihakhanna — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:03:41 -0400

Old and new are rapidly mixing in Durham County, an area home to more than 250,000 people. In recent years, residents have seen booming development in the southern and eastern edges of the community, as well as revitalization of the county's most historic urban settings.

Situated between Wake and Orange counties, Durham is home to major institutions including Duke University, N.C. Central University and dozens of international corporations in Research Triangle Park. The 300-square-mile county includes only one city, Durham, but is also home to communities that have their own postal addresses, such as Rougemont and Bahama. Durham is connected to the rest of the Triangle through Interstate 85, Interstate 40, the Durham Freeway (N.C. 147), U.S. 15-501 and U.S. 70.

What are the local attractions?

The county hosts several natural features including Lake Michie, Duke Gardens, Duke Forest and the Eno River that beckon residents and visitors outdoors. Indoor attractions include The Streets at Southpoint and Northgate malls, and the historic Carolina Theatre. Many more venture to Durham to visit historic Stagville and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the N.C. Museum of Life and Science, and one of the Triangle's two minor league baseball teams, the Durham Bulls.

What's the history?

Originally home to five Native American tribes, the area now known as Durham County was settled in colonial times by English, Scottish and Irish settlers. Durham County was formed in 1881 from parts of Wake and Orange counties. The history of tobacco manufacturing, which became a major economic force beginning in the 19th century, can be seen at the Duke Homestead and Museum. Bennett Place is a state historic site where General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his troops to General William T. Sherman, ending the Civil War in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

Who runs the county?

The Durham County Board of Commissioners is a five-member elected board with regular monthly meetings and work sessions.

While most services in Durham are separated between the city and county governments, some are shared, including 911 operations and urban planning. Here's a list of county departments and contact information.

The county also boasts several searchable databases of public records, including voter registrations and tax records.

What about the schools?

One system, the Durham Public Schools, operates all 50 public schools in the county. The county also hosts some charter and private schools that operate independently.

Who lives here?

The median age of Durham County was 32.2 as of the 2000 census. The racial breakdown is 50.9 percent white, 39.5 percent black, and 3.3 percent Asian. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 7.6 percent of the population. Bachelors degrees or higher are held by 40.1 percent of the population over 25.

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce has compiled a detailed look at demographics in Durham.

What about public safety?

Police services in Durham County are provided by the Durham County Sheriff's Department.

Here are the crime statistics reported by the department for 2006 (source: SBI):

Murder: 3

Rape: 0

Robbery: 15

Aggravated Assault: 46

Burglary: 222

Larcenies: 600

Motor Vehicle Theft: 82

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[Durham County]