RANK #808 / 996 · POP 76,754 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.6%
Chatham County, North Carolina, is often recognized for Jordan Lake, a sprawling 14,000-acre reservoir popular for recreation, situated on its eastern side. The county, centrally located in North Carolina's Piedmont region, is about 20-30 minutes from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill, offering access to urban amenities while maintaining a rural feel. Commute options include major highways like US 64, US 421, and US 15-501, with public transportation provided by Chatham Transit Network and Chapel Hill Transit. The area features extensive woodlands and river systems like the Haw and Deep Rivers, providing opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities.
Life in Chatham County blends rural charm with modern opportunities, attracting families, retirees, and remote workers. The public school system is highly rated, with Chatham County Schools serving over 9,000 students. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by residential and commercial development, infrastructure projects, and manufacturing. Major investments are flowing into various sectors, creating new job opportunities and fostering a business-friendly environment.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
John Palmour Manufacturing Center for Silicon Carbide
Wolfspeed
|
$5,000M | Under Construction |
|
Chatham Park (Master-Planned Community)
Preston Development Company
|
$5,000M | Under Construction |
|
VinFast Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Plant
VinFast
|
$4,000M | Under Construction |
|
Chatham County Public Facilities Upgrades (HVAC & Roofs)
Chatham County
|
$91M | Planned |
|
Solar Farm Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Cypress Creek Renewables, Strata Solar, Siler City Solar 2, LLC)
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chatham County has a Boom Town Index score of 19/100, ranking #808 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +6.9% and a median household income of $84,222, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Chatham County is $373,300 with median rent at $995/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2256, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +6.9%. Home values changed +0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.66% of Chatham County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.