Farms and land in Chatham County offer a unique blend of rural and urban opportunities for manufacturing, development and outdoor ventures. Chatham County land located in the Piedmont stretches from rural countryside to a portion of Cary, most of which lies in Wake County and is part of the Triangle area. The 710-square-mile county is home to 72,000 residents. The median and per capita income is higher than the state-wide average. Farmland includes 106,000 acres of which 29% is cropland, 36% pasture and 27% woodlands. Livestock and poultry make up 93% of the county’s agricultural sales. Manufactured products include textiles, yarns, fabrics, furniture and lumber. Mountaire Farms of NC, Arauco North America and Fitch Creations are among the top private employers. Jordan Lake and Cape Fear, Dee, Haw, Rocky and New Hope rivers provide outdoor recreational activities. Jordan Lake, a sprawling reservoir, provides seasonal opportunities for hunting deer, turkeys, quail and waterfowl. Fishing is popular year-round. In addition to historic structures, other attractions include the Carnivore Preservation Trust, a sanctuary for endangered species. Chatham County Schools provides K-12 public education. Central Carolina Community College offers higher learning, and several four-year colleges including NC State University, Campbell University, UNC-CH and Elon University are within easy driving distance.
