27278 vs 27516 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 27278, Orange = ZIP 27516.
Quick verdict: ZIP 27278 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 27516 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Population28,546
- Median Income$101,821
- Median Home Value$380k
- Median Rent$1,085
- Median Age44.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate7.3%
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Population46,372
- Median Income$100,788
- Median Home Value$508k
- Median Rent$1,282
- Median Age35.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate15.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
28,54646,372
Median Income
$101,821$100,788
Median Home Value
$380k$508k
Median Rent
$1,085$1,282
Median Age
44.9 yrs35.8 yrs
Poverty Rate
7.3%15.4%
Demographics
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- White %73.6%
- Black %10.2%
- Asian %3.0%
- Hispanic %12.1%
- Age 0–17 %21.5%
- Age 18–64 %59.5%
- Age 65+ %19.1%
- Bachelor's+ %53.8%
- Diversity Index43/100
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- White %71.5%
- Black %8.9%
- Asian %9.8%
- Hispanic %7.4%
- Age 0–17 %22.3%
- Age 18–64 %63.2%
- Age 65+ %14.5%
- Bachelor's+ %72.4%
- Diversity Index47/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
73.6%71.5%
Black %
10.2%8.9%
Asian %
3.0%9.8%
Hispanic %
12.1%7.4%
Age 0–17 %
21.5%22.3%
Age 18–64 %
59.5%63.2%
Age 65+ %
19.1%14.5%
Bachelor's+ %
53.8%72.4%
Diversity Index
43/10047/100
Economy
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$101,821
- Unemployment %2.8%
- IRS Net Migration+1,185
- Work From Home %22.6%
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$100,788
- Unemployment %7.2%
- IRS Net Migration+1,925
- Work From Home %27.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$101,821$100,788
Unemployment %
2.8%7.2%
IRS Net Migration
+1,185+1,925
Work From Home %
22.6%27.9%
Housing
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$380k
- Median Rent$1,085
- Owner Occupied %77.3%
- Broadband %95.3%
- Vacant %6.7%
- Median Year Built1994
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$508k
- Median Rent$1,282
- Owner Occupied %72.0%
- Broadband %95.9%
- Vacant %7.9%
- Median Year Built1996
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$380k$508k
Median Rent
$1,085$1,282
Owner Occupied %
77.3%72.0%
Broadband %
95.3%95.9%
Vacant %
6.7%7.9%
Median Year Built
19941996
Climate & Location
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)400 ft
- Nearest Airport22.2 miles (35.8 km)
- Distance to Coast118.3 miles (190.3 km)
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)500 ft
- Nearest Airport20.7 miles (33.2 km)
- Distance to Coast129.7 miles (208.7 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
400 ft500 ft
Nearest Airport
22.2 miles (35.8 km)20.7 miles (33.2 km)
Distance to Coast
118.3 miles (190.3 km)129.7 miles (208.7 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 27278
Hillsborough town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %22.6%
- Walkability (0–100)30
- Broadband %95.3%
ZIP 27516
Chapel Hill town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %27.9%
- Walkability (0–100)51
- Broadband %95.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
22.6%27.9%
Walkability (0–100)
3051
Broadband %
95.3%95.9%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 27278 and 27516 compare?
ZIP 27278 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment. ZIP 27516 is higher home values, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (27278), orange the second (27516). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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