Orange County, NC Property Records
Property records in Orange, North Carolina provide key information about real estate ownership, transfers, assessed values, parcel boundaries, tax history, deeds, plats, and related legal documents. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, property owners, attorneys, researchers, and lenders who need to verify ownership, review property history, estimate taxes, or confirm legal descriptions and recorded interests.
Official Orange property records are maintained by Orange County offices, including the Tax Administration, Land Records/GIS, and the Register of Deeds, depending on the type of information needed. Users can access searches and county resources through the county’s official government site for Orange property records. For the most accurate and current information, users should rely on official county records and contact the appropriate Orange County office when certified copies or formal verification are required.
Orange County, NC Property Records & Statistics
Orange County has a median rent of $1,310, far above the North Carolina median of $846.75 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 28.7% of occupied homes, higher than the state share of 25.4% and the national share of 21.81%, reflecting a sizable renter population in a county with a large university presence.
The median home value is $379,700, more than double the state median of $176,900 and the national median of $173,750. The county's median property tax rate of 0.91% is also above the state rate of 0.72% and the national rate of 0.74%, so owners face both high values and a higher-than-average rate, which makes the annual tax bill substantial.
Median household income is $94,354, far above the state's $57,889.50 and the national $65,108. That strong income base helps support the county's high housing costs. The unemployment rate of 2.49% is below the state rate of 3.02% and the national rate of 2.87%, indicating a solid job market.
In all, Orange County is one of the higher-cost, higher-income housing markets in the state, with elevated rents, home values, and taxes balanced by strong earnings and low unemployment.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Orange
Orange County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, property valuations, and foreclosure filings. The county has 58,983 total parcels, with tax records covering 93.37% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded documents include 106,698 deeds and 87,174 mortgages, and valuation data is available for 42,551 properties, with the latest valuation update on August 19, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 58,983 |
| Residential Parcels | 50,463 |
| Commercial Parcels | 1,372 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 93.37% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 106,698 |
| Mortgage Records | 87,174 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 42,551 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 7,495 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records show what happens to a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment documents the transfer of a mortgage from one lender or loan holder to another, while a release shows that the loan was satisfied and the lien removed from the property.
Orange County has 132,345 assignment and release records available for research. They include 7,926 assignment documents and 124,286 release documents, along with 133 other documents. Assignments and releases were both recorded from April 4, 2004, with assignments running through August 12, 2025, and releases through August 13, 2025.
For property research, these records help confirm who holds a mortgage and whether earlier loans were paid off. Buyers, owners, and title researchers can use them to follow a loan between lenders and to identify liens that may still be open before a sale or refinance.
How to Search Orange County, NC Property Records
Property records in Orange County are kept by several county offices, and the Register of Deeds maintains recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages. County records cover 58,983 parcels, along with recorded transactions, valuation data, and foreclosure filings.
Start with the Orange County Register of Deeds page for office information and services. To search recorded documents online, use the Orange County official records search, where you can look up deeds, mortgages, and related instruments.
The Register of Deeds is at 228 S. Churton Street in Hillsborough and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 919-245-2676 with questions about a specific record or about recording documents electronically.
Before searching, gather the owner name, property address, or parcel number. Enter the most complete details you have, review the results, and open the document that matches the property you are researching. For assessment values, tax bills, or parcel maps, check the Orange County website for the right department, or ask the Register of Deeds for a referral.
Orange Registrar of Deeds
The Orange County Probate Office is located at 228 S. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278 and can be reached at 919-245-2676. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Records can be accessed through rod.orangecountync.gov or the official website orangecountync.gov.
Orange County Register of Deeds
Orange County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Orange County property records by address?
Use the Orange County official records search to find recorded documents tied to a property. Enter the street name and number as they might appear on a deed. If nothing matches, try a shorter address or search by owner name, or call the Register of Deeds at 919-245-2676.
How can I find property owners in Orange County?
Recorded deeds identify property owners. Search the Orange County official records search by name or property details to see the grantor and grantee on a deed. The Register of Deeds at 228 S. Churton Street, Hillsborough, can also help in person on weekdays.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Orange County?
Orange County's tax records reflect the 2024 assessment year and cover 58,983 parcels. Assessed values are kept by the county's tax and assessment offices, which you can find through the Orange County website. The Register of Deeds at 919-245-2676 can also point you to the right office.
Where can I find Orange County property tax bills and payment records?
Property tax bills and payments are handled by the county's tax office rather than the Register of Deeds. Begin at the Orange County website to find the tax department and its contact details, or call the Register of Deeds at 919-245-2676 for a referral.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Orange County?
Deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are kept by the Orange County Register of Deeds. Search them through the official records search, or visit 228 S. Churton Street, Hillsborough, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Deed records run from April 7, 1989.
Where can I access Orange County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps and GIS information are published through county government departments. Start at the Orange County website and look for the GIS or mapping page. Parcel maps are helpful for reference but are not a legal survey of property boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Orange County?
Permits and zoning are handled by county planning and inspection offices, and by town offices in places such as Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough for properties inside their limits. Start at the Orange County website to find the right department, and confirm requirements before building.
How can I create a list of property owners in Orange County?
The county's online tools are designed for single-property lookups. To build a list, search the Orange County official records search for deeds in your target area. For larger or bulk requests, call the Register of Deeds at 919-245-2676 to ask what can be provided.