Chatham 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. 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.

Pittsboro

Pittsboro is in the heart of Chatham County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state. It is the county seat and, as such, home to the Chatham County Government Complex employing more than 1,300 people. Residents of Pittsboro embrace small town values of respect for one another and a strong sense of community. It's people are a diverse group of artists and farmers, merchants and students, and it is home to the North Carolina Zen Center. It supports software developers, bio-fuel research and production, antique shops and art galleries. Central Carolina Community College offers a core curriculum as well as continuing education in such areas as Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Building Techniques.