Southpoint / South Durham, NC

A car-oriented suburban corridor built around The Streets at Southpoint, one of the region's largest shopping malls, roughly midway between downtown Durham and Chapel Hill.

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The Southpoint Cinemas entrance and fountain at The Streets at Southpoint in South Durham — Southpoint Cinemas fountain, The Streets at Southpoint. Photo: Rafi B., CC BY 2.0.

What Southpoint / South Durham is actually like

South Durham's modern shape follows its commercial anchor: The Streets at Southpoint, an open-air and enclosed shopping mall that has grown into one of the region's largest retail centers, drawing shoppers from across the Triangle.

Development has followed that retail draw along the NC-55 and I-40 corridors -- a mix of subdivisions, apartment complexes, and commercial buildout that makes South Durham overall a suburban, family-oriented submarket rather than a walkable urban district.

The area sits between Durham's core and Chapel Hill, roughly 15-20 minutes by car from either one via I-40 or 15-501, which has made it a practical landing spot for households who want mall-adjacent convenience without downtown Durham's density.

Home values in Southpoint / South Durham

Redfin puts the median sale price across the 27713 zip code (Southpoint/South Durham) at $425,000, down 2.4% year-over-year, and calls the local market "somewhat competitive" (Redfin).

Getting around

This is a car-oriented suburban corridor built around a mall and major roads -- it's not walkable in the way downtown Durham or Trinity Park are. GoDurham's fare-free buses reach the area, but a car is the practical way to get around day to day. The Triangle has no rail transit of any kind — no light rail, commuter rail, or subway. The Durham-Orange Light Rail project, which would have run through this sub-region, was cancelled in March 2019 after Duke University refused to grant a rail easement across its property (WUNC). Every transit option here is bus-only: GoDurham, GoTriangle, Chapel Hill Transit, and Orange County Public Transportation.

Southpoint / South Durham FAQ

Is Southpoint walkable?

No -- it's a car-oriented suburban commercial and residential corridor built around a mall and major roads, not a walkable district.

How far is Southpoint from Duke or downtown Durham?

Roughly 15-20 minutes by car via I-40. Chapel Hill/UNC is a similar 15-20 minute drive via 15-501, since Southpoint sits roughly between the two.

Is flooding a concern in South Durham?

Third Fork Creek runs directly through the area, with its own USGS/NOAA stream gauge nearby -- low-lying, creek-adjacent parcels should be checked against FEMA flood maps. This is inland flash-flood risk, not coastal surge.

What's the main draw of living near Southpoint?

The Streets at Southpoint itself -- one of the region's largest shopping and dining destinations -- plus suburban subdivisions and apartments along the NC-55/I-40 corridor.

Nearby alternatives*

Woodcroft

A master-planned community immediately adjacent, next to The Streets at Southpoint.

Research Triangle Park

The region's major office/research park, a short drive north via I-40.

Chapel Hill

The UNC-Chapel Hill college town, roughly 15-20 minutes away via 15-501.

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Quick facts

County: Durham County (City of Durham)
Transit: The Triangle has no rail transit of any kind — no light rail, commuter rail, or subway. The Durham-Orange Light Rail project, which would have run through this sub-region, was cancelled in March 2019 after Duke University refused to grant a rail easement across its property (WUNC). Every transit option here is bus-only: GoDurham, GoTriangle, Chapel Hill Transit, and Orange County Public Transportation. GoDurham's fare-free bus routes serve South Durham, but this is car-dependent suburban terrain overall -- most residents drive.
Landmarks: The Streets at Southpoint, a major regional shopping and dining destination anchored by department stores
Commute to Downtown: Roughly 15-20 minutes by car to downtown Durham via I-40, and a similar 15-20 minutes to Chapel Hill/UNC via 15-501 — it sits between the two.
Flood & storm risk: Third Fork Creek runs directly through this part of Durham -- riverine/flash-flood risk along its floodplain is the relevant local concern, not coastal surge.
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Third Fork Creek runs directly through this part of Durham, with a USGS/NOAA stream gauge ("Third Fork Creek at ML King Parkway") nearby monitoring it (City of Durham). That makes riverine and flash flooding along the creek's floodplain the relevant local risk, not coastal storm surge. Always check FEMA flood zone maps for a specific address. Durham and Orange County sit well inland, so coastal storm surge isn't the relevant risk here — inland flash flooding from heavy rain and creek or river overflow is, as Tropical Depression Chantal demonstrated across the region in July 2025.
Nearest hospital: Duke Health Center at Southpoint provides local outpatient and urgent care; the nearest full hospitals, Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital, are both roughly 15-20 minutes away by car.
Property taxes: County & state rates →
Relocating here: Employers, licensing & the metro basics →
Zoning & HOA character: Local rules & HOA character →
Utilities: Electric is Duke Energy Progress; water and sewer are the City of Durham's Water Management Department.

Metro context ▾

Weather, transit, home teams, attractions, and airport drive times for the whole metro are on the Raleigh-Durham metro snapshot →.

Schools

South Durham falls within Durham Public Schools; Charles E. Jordan High School and Hope Valley Elementary serve nearby areas of south/southwest Durham. Confirm the current assignment for a specific address directly with the district.