Welcome to Orange County! Orange County has a population of about 121,000, and has many features that make it attractive to visitors. In its 400 square miles of land, 25% of which is undeveloped, you'll see acres of lush foliage, gently rolling hills and scenic wooded areas plus thriving business districts. Approximately 17% of our land mass-more than 45,000 acres-is used for farming. Area farmers produce Grade A milk, tobacco and field crops, eggs, nursery and greenhouse products, livestock and forestry products.

Our citizens' concern is for the natural environment and is evident in local ordinances that preserve trees, scenic greenways for pedestrians, numerous bicycle lanes, curbside recycling programs and the clean surroundings that we seek to maintain. The quality of life here greatly contributes to the area's appeal.

Did you know that The Chapel Hill/Durham/Raleigh area has been selected as:  

• #1 Best Place to Live
•  MSN House & Home's American's Places to Live 2003

• #1 Best Place to Live and Work
•  Employment Review, June 2003

• #3 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life
•  AARP, May - June 2003

• #3 Best Place For Business and Careers
•  Forbes, May 9, 2003

• #7 Highest Value Labor Market
•  High Value Labor Market Quotient 2003, Expansion Management, July 2, 2003

• #1 Region for Online Growth
•  Nielsen/NetRatings, Triangle Tech Journal, March 2003

• #1 Best Cities for Education
•  Forbes (Places Rated Almanac, Millennium Edition), February 14, 2003