We are so
fortunate to live in Chatham County. Take time to learn more
about our wonderful county.
Founded in
1771 and located at the geographic center of the state, Chatham
County encompasses an area of more than 707 square miles and
merits the slogan "The Heart of North Carolina." The county is
situated between two of the state’s three largest centers of
population and commerce, the Triangle Region and the Piedmont
Triad. The proximity to these two areas continues to promote
population growth and keeps the county’s economy healthy.
Population
Only one-fifth
of the county's approximately 49,588 citizens reside within the
county's municipalities. Municipalities within the county and
their respective populations are as follows:
|
Siler
City |
7,002 |
|
Pittsboro |
2,236 |
|
Goldston |
321 |
| Cary |
19 |
The
Town of Pittsboro serves as the county seat.
The
population continues to grow at a healthy rate (26.6 percent from
1990 to 2000). The state estimates that the population will grow
20.3 percent in the next decade making the total population of the
county 59,336
Economy
Strong economic conditions in surrounding areas, such as Chapel
Hill, Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, have a positive
effect on the growth of the county's population and economy,
especially in the northern and eastern sections of the county.
These neighboring areas continue to provide employment for many
Chatham County residents.
According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, at $30,380, Chatham
ranked fourth (out of 100) in per capita personal income and, at
$66,100, ranked first (out of 100) in median family income.
As
evidenced by the location of its population, visually, the
county's rural character is predominant. Indeed, agriculture
continues to play a very important role in the county’s economy
The
county is also home to Jordan Lake, a regional reservoir, with
more than 46,000 acres, and one of the state’s top recreation
areas. Three rivers, the Haw, Deep, and Rocky, provide scenic
beauty, recreation, and drinking water to the county and
surrounding region. The natural beauty of the county belies its
diverse mixture of industry, which include lumber and wood
products, textiles, brick making, metalworking, and poultry
production.
History
The source for the history given here
is Chatham County: 1771-1971 edited by Doris Goerch Horton,
Nell Craig Strowd, and Wade Hadley. It is referred to below as the
History.
Records show settlers of European
origin coming to the county as early as the mid 1700’s, including
a Quaker settlement in 1751. According to the History, early
settlers came into the county from the north through a trading
route to the Catawba Indians and from the south through the Cape
Fear River Valley.
The Colonial Assembly established
Chatham County through a bill, which was introduced December 5,
1770 and effective April 1, 1771. The county was formed from part
of what was once Orange County. The county was named for the Earl
of Chatham, William Pitt, who was a "defender of American rights
in the British Parliament," according the History.
"The reason for forming this new
county as stated in the act was that the great extent of the
county of Orange rendered the attendance of the inhabitants of the
southern part to do public duties extremely difficult and
expensive," according the History.
In
the early years the county was governed by justices of the peace,
which constituted the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The
justices were appointed by the General Assembly of the state. For
a period of time, the justices also appointed other county
officials, which included the sheriff, coroners, constables,
clerk, register, county attorney, standard-keeper, entry-taker and
surveyor, rangers for strays, and overseers of roads.
Reconstruction and the new State Constitution of 1868 established
a five-member board of county commissioners, divided the county
into townships, and radically changed the court system. Justices
of the peace were eliminated from county government in 1894. In
1977 the county adopted the council-manager form of government and
appointed the first county manager.
