6 small Triangle towns with big potential

It’s no secret that the Triangle area is continuing to boom. Yet space within Raleigh and Durham is somewhat limited, which is why so many rural communities are starting to rise to the top as the great places to find a home.

While the following six Triangle towns are small, they all have huge potential to be the most enviable places to call home. Don’t mark these towns off of your list if you’re looking for a new home in the Triangle.

Angier used to be a quaint North Carolina community, but today it’s growing significantly. In fact, it expanded by nearly 1,000 people—from just over 5,000 in 2020 to more than 6,000 by 2022. And it’s expected that growth will continue for many years to come. This town, located in Harnett County, is 22 miles south of Raleigh and just 15 minutes from Fuquay-Varina, which is also showing massive growth with new subdivisions, businesses, and resources across the community.

As the Triangle continues to expand, Angier has the demand and the space to keep inviting residents to call it home. In fact, housing in Angier is still well under the median sales for the entire Triangle, which makes it a great location for anyone looking for room to grow.

Four Oaks is a small town of just over 2,000 people. But that’s likely going to change once more people discover it. This historic Civil War community, just 33 miles south of Raleigh and within the growing Johnston County, will benefit from the extension of the southern loop of the I-540 belt line, and the widening of I-40.

Four Oaks is already expanding along with the interstate and the county in which it resides. Because the community is in such a convenient location in proximity to Raleigh, housing in Four Oaks trends with what people are paying in other parts of the Triangle. But you can expect to find spacious homes and proximity to Raleigh by calling Four Oaks home.

Mebane is centrally located between Durham and Greensboro, and just off I-40. As it pushes toward 20,000 residents, it’s shown significant growth from its early days. Today, it’s filled with quaint downtown shopping and dining, and numerous downtown events that are designed to preserve and revitalize Mebane’s history.

As Mebane grows, there are a variety of homes that will continue to enhance the peaceful small-town atmosphere of this historic community. Because the town is perfectly situated between Durham and Greensboro, it provides numerous opportunities to live, work, and play throughout both the Triangle and the Piedmont area.

There are around 1,000 people who call Middlesex homes, and while it’s primarily an agricultural community, it’s also growing due to manufacturing companies that now call it home. This town is located in Nash County, just 25 miles east of Raleigh. It also has a quaint historic district with shops, restaurants, and galleries to enjoy. It’s a town where everyone knows each other, which makes it a wonderful small-town experience.

There are numerous new housing options in Middlesex for families looking for space and a comfortable commute. Homes here tend to be more affordable than the median sales price across the rest of the Triangle area.

Franklinton is 30 miles north of Raleigh, and while it’s a town of just over 2,000, it’s been growing as renovations in its downtown are driving business into this community. It offers a laid back way of life while providing the excitement of the Triangle just down the road. It’s also a part of the growing Franklin County, which is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina.

As Franklinton expands quickly, new construction is helping meet the demand for housing in this great location.  Because it’s so close to Wake Forest, the prices of homes in this town are on par with median prices in other Triangle communities.

Pittsboro is quickly becoming one of the most desirable towns in the Triangle, and for good reason. This is nearing 5,000 people, but those numbers are expected to grow significantly as the Triangle does, too. Located south of Chapel Hill, it’s a 40-minute drive to the Research Triangle Park, and it’s close to Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, making it perfect for those who love the outdoors. Pittsboro is also home to several unique shops and stores that make it appealing on many levels.

Massive new developments and numerous luxury homes are putting Pittsboro at the top of the list for people looking for great next home opportunities. While some homes match the median prices across the Triangle, many buyers in Pittsboro are finding they want room to grow with the luxury opportunities that exist in this community.

With so many communities throughout the greater Triangle area, these towns aren’t the only ones with a lot to offer. What other towns did we miss? Comment below with your recommendations.

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