The CDP is in the northern part of the town of Durham, on the north side of the Oyster River.

The western edge of the CDP follows the Pan Am Railways line, Reservoir Brook, Spinney Lane, Mast Road, and a portion of College Brook, then turns west and south through College Woods.

The southern border of the CDP follows the Oyster River as far as Beards Creek, which it follows north to New Hampshire Route 108.

The border then follows U.S. Route 4 east to Johnson Creek, the eastern edge of the CDP.

[3] U.S. Route 4 passes through the northern part of the CDP, bypassing the town center.

[4] The demographics of the Durham CDP are strongly influenced by the presence of the University of New Hampshire campus.