The central and southern parts of Durham County are highly urban, consisting of the city as well as several unincorporated suburbs.

Durham County is the core of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC Combined Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023.

30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Durham County is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments.

Durham County is governed by a five-member board of county commissioners, currently consisting of Chair Brenda A. Howerton, Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs, Nimasheena Burns, Heidi Carter, and Nida Allam.

George H. W. Bush is the last Republican to manage even 40 percent of the county's vote.

All other towns and places within Durham County are unincorporated communities.