Best In North Carolina Real Estate™: The Triangle

Why 75.9% of the Triangle’s seasonal homes are concentrated in just three cities—Smithfield, Holly Springs, and Butner. This data, from ALEX Intelligence’s exclusive report published today, reveals a deep structural shift: the urban core is losing second-home demand to the periphery. For investors and developers, this isn’t just a trend—it’s a reconfiguration of where value is being created. The data shows that the Triangle’s seasonal market is not dispersed but hyper-localized in just three communities, with zero seasonal homes in top-tier cities like Raleigh or Durham. This points to a new reality: second-home demand is no longer chasing urban prestige, but seeking space, privacy, and landscape. The implications for zoning, development, and investment are profound. For context: this analysis is based on the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2024, and published today at https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-22-triangle-concentration-seasonal-homes-place. Share of the Market's Seasonal Homes in Its Top Three Cities, top 10 (ALEX Intelligence — U.S. Census Bureau 2024) #1 Smithfield — 191 #2 Holly Springs — 70 #3 Butner — 44 #4 Oxford — 34 #5 Carrboro — 22 #6 Roxboro — 16 #7 Garner — 13 #8 Apex — 12 #9 Archer Lodge — 0 #10 Briar Chapel — 0 Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Slide 1: James Willamor (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=57353631; Slide 2: Warren LeMay from Covington, KY, United States (CC0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=84599904; Slide 3: Ildar Sagdejev ( Specious ) (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=4329382; Slide 4: bobistraveling (CC BY 2.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=29204170 Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-22-triangle-concentration-seasonal-homes-place View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Chair & CEO, ALEX Companies Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574877-B · Broker License #565194-BB [email protected] · +1 713.591.9902