County · North Carolina

Chatham County, North Carolina

Chatham County, North Carolina. Chatham County had 85,111 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 12 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 8 census-designated) and 19 census tracts. GEOID 37037.

Chatham County is one of the 4 counties of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

85,111

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 76,285 · ACS 2020-2024: 80,151

Median household income

$94,317

±$4,141 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388

Median home value

$446,200

±$14,553 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900

Median gross rent

$1,180

±$99 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228

How many people live in Chatham County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 76,285 residents in Chatham County. The Census Bureau estimates 85,111 for July 1, 2025, up 11.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 80,151 over 681 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +1,501 (78,164)
2021→2022 +1,875 (80,039)
2022→2023 +1,838 (81,877)
2023→2024 +1,955 (83,832)
2024→2025 +1,279 (85,111)

Chatham County in North Carolina. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Chatham County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	80,151	10,730,404	+8,813
Households	33,004±461	4,282,345	+3,971
Average household size	2.41±0.03	2.44	no clear change
Housing units	35,914±45	4,895,668	+3,690

Chatham County's population since 2000

From 49,329 in 2000 to 85,111 in 2025: up 72.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.

2000 Census 49,329
2005 (estimate) 57,045
2010 Census 63,505
2015 (estimate) 68,307
2020 Census 76,285
2025 (estimate) 85,111

Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov

What cities and towns are in Chatham County?

Chatham County holds 12 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Siler City with 8,155 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Chatham County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Siler City	town	7,702	7,995±18	$46,566	$154,600	33.9%	100%
Briar Chapel	CDP	5,108	6,049±803	$166,063	$570,300	0.6%	100%
Pittsboro	town	4,537	4,752±36	$81,639	$376,300	11.7%	100%
Cary	town	174,721	179,306±190	$134,905	$580,200	5.7%	2%
Fearrington Village	CDP	2,557	2,356±462	$86,116	$472,600	5.5%	100%
Governors ClubGEOID 3727180	CDP	1,969	1,787±331	$235,625	$889,500	0.0%	100%
Governors VillageGEOID 3727182	CDP	1,512	2,295±753	$125,857	$602,100	15.0%	100%
MoncureGEOID 3743880	CDP	780	1,039±491	$54,076	not published	1.2%	100%
Carolina MeadowsGEOID 3710532	CDP	727	555±112	$126,007	$443,800	1.8%	100%
BennettGEOID 3705020	CDP	284	262±210	not published	$149,700	0.0%	100%
GoldstonGEOID 3726920	town	234	379±300	$39,538	$190,700	5.5%	100%
GulfGEOID 3728600	CDP	122	178±178	not published	not published	0.0%	100%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov

Who lives in Chatham County?

The median resident of Chatham County is 47.6 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 25.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.6%. 10.4% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Chatham County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	47.6±0.4	39.1	+0.9
Under 18 years	19.4%±0.1 pts	21.8%	–
65 years and over	25.2%±0.1 pts	17.2%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	13.6%	11.3%	+1.4 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	69.5%±0.6 pts	60.0%	−2.2 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	10.0%±0.6 pts	20.0%	−1.1 pts
Asian alone, not Hispanic	2.2%±0.2 pts	3.3%	+0.7 pts
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.8%	–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.1%	–
Two or more races, not Hispanic	3.8%±0.8 pts	4.1%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.4 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	10.4%±0.7 pts	9.1%	+1.2 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	15.1%±0.9 pts	13.5%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	7.2%±0.7 pts	7.4%	–
With a disability	11.3%±1.1 pts	13.6%	–
No health insurance coverage	9.4%±1.3 pts	9.9%	−2.3 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	90.9%±1.1 pts	90.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	48.9%±1.7 pts	35.7%	+6.5 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	23.2%±1.6 pts	13.5%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	1.9%±0.5 pts	3.0%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov

What do households in Chatham County earn?

Half of Chatham County's 33,004 households earn less than $94,317 a year (±$4,141), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $82,495 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,822 after inflation. 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chatham County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$94,317±$4,141	$72,388	+$11,822
Mean household income	$138,537±$7,273	$101,208	–
Per capita income	$59,363±$3,378	$41,385	+$8,945
People below the poverty line	11.0%±1.7 pts	13.0%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	17.5%±4.3 pts	17.7%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	5.1%±1.2 pts	12.8%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	89.1%±1.6 pts	90.1%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What does housing cost in Chatham County?

Owners occupy 80.6% of Chatham County's occupied homes and renters 19.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $446,200 by its owner (±$14,553). The median renter pays $1,180 a month including utilities, and 39.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chatham County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$446,200±$14,553	$288,900	+$99,514
Median gross rent	$1,180±$99	$1,228	+$140
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	39.2%±6.2 pts	39.6%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$2,118±$94	$1,631	–
Owner-occupied homes	80.6%±2.3 pts	66.6%	+4.2 pts
Housing units	35,914±45	4,895,668	+3,690
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.7%±0.5 pts	1.3%	–
Rental vacancy rate	8.1%±4.6 pts	7.1%	–
Single-family detached homes	77.4%±1.9 pts	65.3%	–
Mobile homes	11.9%±1.7 pts	11.0%	–
Built 2020 or later	5.8%±1.0 pts	3.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	4.3%±0.7 pts	4.9%	–

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov

How many new homes is Chatham County building?

Builders took permits for 517 new housing units across Chatham County in 2025 (517 single-family), 6.1 per 1,000 residents.

2019 902 units
2020 601 units
2021 1,124 units
2022 891 units
2023 971 units
2024 465 units
2025 517 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Chatham County get to work?

68.0% of Chatham County's workers drive alone and 22.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Chatham County	North Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	58.6%±1.3 pts	62.8%	–
Unemployment rate	2.9%±0.9 pts	4.7%	−1.4 pts
Drove alone to work	68.0%±2.2 pts	71.5%	–
Carpooled	6.2%±1.2 pts	8.5%	–
Public transportation	0.3%±0.2 pts	0.7%	–
Walked	1.5%±0.7 pts	1.6%	–
Worked from home	22.5%±2.0 pts	16.3%	+14.4 pts
Mean travel time to work	28.4 min±1.1	25.1 min	no clear change

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov

What are Chatham County's census tracts?

Chatham County is divided into 19 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,725 (Tract 204.02) to $158,160 (Tract 201.03).

Census tracts of Chatham County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 201.0337037020103	Governors Club (26%)	5,520	5,651±653	$158,160	$682,800	$852	1.5%
Tract 201.0437037020104	Fearrington Village (48%)	6,082	6,123±592	$130,756	$652,500	$2,471	5.3%
Tract 201.0537037020105	Briar Chapel (79%)	7,944	8,630±777	$152,619	$554,200	$1,791	4.8%
Tract 201.0737037020107	–	2,643	2,737±513	$100,556	$490,900	$921	22.0%
Tract 201.0837037020108	–	1,949	1,968±245	$112,721	$518,800	$1,539	7.4%
Tract 202.0137037020201	–	3,007	3,020±649	$77,532	$260,600	not published	5.8%
Tract 202.0237037020202	–	3,382	3,921±420	$113,471	$516,200	$683	4.7%
Tract 202.0337037020203	–	2,409	2,412±500	$86,563	$390,600	$739	19.9%
Tract 20337037020300	Siler City (7%)	2,742	3,148±682	$64,221	$211,800	$872	8.3%
Tract 204.0137037020401	Siler City (75%)	5,835	6,461±485	$49,755	$157,500	$1,214	37.0%
Tract 204.0237037020402	Siler City (63%)	4,610	4,841±919	$35,725	$163,000	$1,044	28.3%
Tract 20537037020500	Bennett (10%)	3,605	3,893±553	$59,537	$167,100	$1,086	10.9%
Tract 20637037020600	Goldston (10%)	5,199	4,631±756	$69,048	$225,700	$585	8.7%
Tract 207.0237037020702	Moncure (14%)	4,361	4,998±744	$105,726	$440,400	$1,123	5.8%
Tract 207.0337037020703	Cary (59%)	4,549	5,091±403	$112,250	$656,300	$1,238	1.0%
Tract 207.0437037020704	Governors Village (43%)	2,782	3,011±512	$127,007	$598,400	$1,921	12.1%
Tract 208.0137037020801	Pittsboro (45%)	4,513	4,517±538	$69,775	$374,100	$1,014	6.2%
Tract 208.0237037020802	Pittsboro (27%)	2,775	2,400±397	$115,938	$412,500	$1,244	16.0%
Tract 208.0337037020803	Pittsboro (14%)	2,378	2,698±761	$129,509	$471,300	$1,511	9.0%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Chatham County compare with North Carolina's other counties?

Chatham County's rank among North Carolina's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	35th of 100
Growth 2020-2025	10th of 100
Residents per square mile	51st of 100
Median household income	3rd of 100
Median home value	4th of 100
Median gross rent	18th of 100
Poverty rate	81st of 100
Bachelor's degree or higher	5th of 100
Median age	23rd of 100

Every county in North Carolina

Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed

How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections

Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Chatham County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.