Durham County, NC Property Records
Property records in Durham, North Carolina document ownership, assessed values, parcel boundaries, property characteristics, sales history, tax information, and legal descriptions for real estate within Durham County. These records are useful for homeowners, buyers, real estate professionals, researchers, and attorneys who need to verify ownership, review property taxes, compare valuations, or investigate a property’s history before a transaction.
Official Durham property information is maintained by Durham County government, primarily through the Tax Administration and related land records offices. Users can access assessment and parcel details through the county’s online resources for Durham property records, or contact the appropriate county office for certified copies, deed information, and additional guidance.
Durham County, NC Property Records & Statistics
Durham County has a median rent of $1,226, far above the North Carolina figure of $846.75 and the national figure of $840.25. The median home value is $309,250, compared with $176,900 statewide and $173,750 nationally, so buying a home costs much more than in the typical North Carolina county. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 39.89% of occupied homes, well above the state share of 25.4% and the national share of 21.81%, showing a large rental market.
The median property tax rate is 0.95%, higher than the state rate of 0.72% and the national rate of 0.74%. Combined with high home values, that means property tax bills are likely to be substantial compared with most of the state.
Incomes are strong. The median household income is $81,858, well above the state's $57,889.50 and the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 2.62% is lower than the state's 3.02% and the nation's 2.87%.
Overall, Durham County is an expensive, high-income, low-unemployment market with a large share of renters and higher-than-average taxes and housing costs.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Durham
Durham County property records include tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 126,264 total parcels, including 112,103 residential and 6,905 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 94.34% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 275,566 deeds and 164,114 mortgages, and valuation data covers 94,579 properties, with the latest update on August 19, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 126,264 |
| Residential Parcels | 112,103 |
| Commercial Parcels | 6,905 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 94.34% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 275,566 |
| Mortgage Records | 164,114 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 94,579 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 43,219 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a mortgage was transferred from one lender or loan holder to another, and a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien cleared from the property.
Durham County has 276,149 assignment and release records, including 29,287 assignment documents, 246,510 release documents, and 352 other documents. Both assignments and releases were recorded from January 3, 2005, through September 5, 2025.
These records help buyers, lenders, and researchers confirm that earlier mortgages were paid off, follow a loan as it moved between servicers, and identify liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance. The consistent date range makes it easy to review a property's loan history over two decades.
How to Search Durham County, NC Property Records
Durham County property records are split between several offices. The Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents, while assessment and tax details come from the county's tax offices. Together they cover the county's 126,264 parcels, including ownership, values, and recorded transactions.
To search recorded documents, use the Durham County Register of Deeds online records search, where you accept the disclaimer and search by name, document type, or date. The Durham County Register of Deeds page covers office services, and the Durham County electronic recording page explains how approved submitters can record documents online.
The office is at 201 East Main Street, Durham, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at 919-560-0480. Have an owner name, address, or parcel number ready. Search the most complete details you have, review the matching documents, and open the one that fits the property. If a record cannot be found online, call the office for help.
Durham Registrar of Deeds
The Durham County Probate Office is located at 201 East Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701 and can be reached at 919-560-0480. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through rodweb.dconc.gov or the official website dconc.gov.
Durham County Register of Deeds
Durham County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Durham County property records by address?
Durham County's recorded documents can be searched through the Register of Deeds online records search, which is best for deeds tied to a name or document. For an address-based parcel lookup, use the county's tax and parcel resources, or call the Register of Deeds at 919-560-0480 for help.
How can I find property owners in Durham County?
Owners appear on recorded deeds, searchable by name in the Durham County Register of Deeds records search. Search the current or prior owner to see deeds and mortgages. The county's tax records, covering 126,264 parcels, also list owners. The Register of Deeds at 201 East Main Street can assist in person.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Durham County?
Assessed values come from the county's tax administration, and the county's records reflect the 2024 assessment year. Valuation data exists for 94,579 properties, most recently updated August 19, 2025. Contact Durham County tax administration for a specific property's value or information about appeals.
Where can I find Durham County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills and payment history are handled by Durham County tax administration rather than the Register of Deeds. Contact the county tax office to request a bill, confirm a payment, or ask about payment options. The Register of Deeds can provide recorded documents but does not collect property taxes.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Durham County?
Search deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases in the Durham County Register of Deeds records search. The county has 275,566 deed records, recorded from December 31, 1991 to August 29, 2025. You can also visit 201 East Main Street, Durham, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Where can I access Durham County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps and GIS data for Durham County's 126,264 parcels are published by the county and city mapping staff. Contact Durham County's GIS or tax office for the current parcel viewer. Maps are for reference only and are not a legal survey, so rely on recorded deeds and plats for boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Durham County?
Permits and zoning in Durham County are handled by the joint city-county planning and inspections offices, and rules differ for properties inside the City of Durham versus unincorporated areas. Contact the relevant planning or inspections office before building, and check the recorded deed for restrictions.
How can I create a list of property owners in Durham County?
The Register of Deeds records search lets you look up owners one at a time. For a larger list of owners across Durham County's 126,264 parcels, contact the Register of Deeds at 919-560-0480 or the tax office to ask what bulk data or reports are available.