Chapel Hill, North Carolina occupies more than 20 square miles of the southeastern corner of Orange County, with a small portion of its boundaries spilling over into Durham County.  Located midway between Carrboro to the west and Durham to the east, this historic community boasts possession of the nation's oldest state-supported university:  the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Education in this thriving college town remains a top priority.  Chapel Hill residents enjoy a high quality public school system, where two of its high schools rank among the best high schools in America according to Newsweek.  UNC Chapel Hill, the flagship facility to the UNC system, serves as a research facility, and offers 71 bachelor's, 107 master's and 74 doctoral degree programs.  The university features several Tar Heel athletic teams, with notable varsity alumni such as Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm.

Chapel Hill, along with Durham and Raleigh comprise the three corners of the Research Triangle, renowned for the prestigious Research Triangle Park. Proximity to this bustling business atmosphere affords residents access to an impressive array of career opportunities.  Among the top employers in Chapel Hill are Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and many facilities of UNC Healthcare.  Chapel Hill families earn a median income of $88,000 per year, which far exceeds the regional average of $69,000.

Like many typical college towns, Chapel Hill has an independent spirit most evident in its entertainment and entrepreneurial sectors.  Chapel Hill's music scene helped launch the careers of groups such as Ben Folds Five and the Squirrel Nut Zippers, while local, national, and international bands of all genres filter through the area on a regular basis.  Also renowned for its popular American cuisine, Chapel Hill's culinary hot spots include Caffe Driade, Crook's Corner, and Mama Dip's.  This region also features independently owned coffee bars and shops such as Open Eye Cafe and Joe Van Gogh.

Chapel Hill, NC affords access to interesting sites and shopping venues that range from nationally recognized chain stores to unique outlets such as A Southern Season.  A giant sundial surrounded by roses greets visitors to the Morehead Planetarium.  Once an astronaut training facility, this historic planetarium remains a popular destination and town landmark.  Other sites of interest include Ackland Art Museum, The Arts Center, The Chapel Hill Museum , Coker Arboretum, and the North Carolina Botanical Garden..  Chapel Hill also has several gymnasiums, multipurpose recreation centers, parks, and 28 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, whose population was 48,715 at the time of the 2000 Census, remains an integral part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area (population 1.5 million in 2005).  Notable residents of Chapel Hill in the past and present include Lewis Black, Andy Griffith, and Laurel Holloman.  This diverse and historic community, rich with culture and youthful exuberance, lives up to its nickname "The Southern Part of Heaven".