Retirement in North Carolina

Pittsboro is also a Certified Retirement Community and is a friendly town located in Chatham County, North Carolina, United States.  The town has an area of 4.2 square miles of which 0.04 is water, and the rest is land.

Pittsboro is nestled in the hills of Piedmont North Carolina. Pittsboro is known as an agricultural, academic and artistic community. Chatham County has over 1000 farms, and you can find some of their produce for sale at local farmers markets and being used by local fine dining restaurant.

History Of Pittsboro NC

Established as a town in 1785, Pittsboro is conveniently located 34 miles away from Raleigh which is the state capital. Pittsboro is located near the geographic center of the state of North Carolina. It is about the same distance from the coast as it is from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pittsboro is located about ten minutes from the Jordan Lake Recreational Area which has 14,000 acres of water and nine recreational areas which make it an excellent place for boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. Jordan Lake is a favorite place for bird watching and has a bird refuge with one of the largest summer homes of the Bald Eagle. Bird waters from near and far enjoy the bird refuge.

In 1787, Pittsboro was officially named the county seat. Chatham County is named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, Pittsboro is named for his son, William Pitt the Younger.

Pittsboro Historic District

In Historic Pittsboro, you’ll get to stroll the streets of a charming town with quaint shops, numerous galleries, antique shops, and plenty of places to eat. The Pittsboro Historic District is a national historic district located in Pittsboro. The district has 131 contributing buildings, three contributing sites, and one contributing object. Situated in the Pittsboro Historic District and separately listed are the:

Hall-London House

The Hall-London House is a beautiful historic home which is located in Pittsboro. This house was built in approximately 1836. It is a tall two-story house with five bay Federal and Greek Revival style frame dwelling. The front porch is a broad Gothic Revival style. The Hall-London House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is located in the magnificent Pittsboro Historic District. The Hall London House has been occupied by Bradshaw & Robinson LLP, a local law firm, since 2000.

Moore-Manning House

The Moore-Manning House is a historic home located in Pittsboro. It was built in the 1830’s. It is a two-story, three-bay, frame dwelling with a hipped roof. It is Federal style and was renovated in 1858, and a two-story wing added. The Moore-Manning House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and you'll find it in the Pittsboro Historic District.

Reid House

The Reid House is a historic home located in Pittsboro. It was built around 1850. It is a 1 ½ story, three bay, double pile plan frame dwelling. It is of Federal and Greek Revival style. It has a broad gable roof with two interior chimneys. The Reid House was renovated in the 1930’s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is in the Pittsboro Historic District.

Lewis Freeman House

The Lewis Freeman House is a stunning historic home located in Pittsboro. The original section of this historic home was built between 1811 and 1837. It expanded through the 1890’s. The Lewis Freeman House is a one-story, three bay frame cottage. It also has Queen Anne style design elements. The original home was a one-room structure which represented the modest home of Lewis Freeman who was a free black settler. In 1982, this house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also in the must-see Pittsboro Historic District.

McClenahan House

The McClenahan House is a historic home located in Pittsboro. It was built before 1830. It is a one-story, three bay, frame dwelling on a brick foundation. It has a Greek Revival and Federal style design. This house began as a one-room house. It is one of only four buildings in Pittsboro from the settlement era. The McClenahan House was listed on the National Register Of Historic Places in 1982. It is also located in the Pittsboro Historic District.

Patrick St Lawrence House

The Patrick St. Lawrence House is also known as the Yellow House. It is a historic home which is located in Pittsboro. The Patrick St Lawrence House was built around 1787. It is a two-story, five bay, frame swelling with a low gable roof. It is of Federal and Greek Revival style. The Yellow House was originally built as an inn and overlooked the courthouse square. This is Pittsboro’s oldest building. In 1955, the Lawrence House was relocated to its present site. The Patrick St Lawrence House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is conveniently located in the Pittsboro Historic District.

Discovering Pittsboro NC

Pittsboro is the home to

• Chatham County Government (which employs more than 1300 people)
• Chatham County Justice Center
• Numerous non-profit agencies
• Many social service organizations

Pittsboro also has community gardens, landmarks, parks, community recreation centers, memorials, sight-seeing and beautiful tours, trails and recreation opportunities. The town of Pittsboro is home to the North Carolina Zen Center, artists workshops, excellent restaurants, and small businesses. This community supports software developers, biofuel research and production, antique shops and art galleries throughout the county.

The Fearington House is a first-rate restaurant located in Pittsboro. The executive chef prepares artistic and elaborate plates using local, seasonal ingredients which are both Southern and French. You’ll find the delicious meals refined and comforting. Enjoy sweet and savory showstoppers with incredible service and an extensive wine list. The Fearington House is a special place to go for a celebration.

Education in Pittsboro NC

Pittsboro has four local school districts and a Central Carolina Community College campus to serve the area:

• Pittsboro Elementary School
• Horton Middle School
• Margaret B. Pollard Middle School
• Northwood High School
• Central Carolina Community College (CCCC), Chatham County Campus

CCCC offers a core curriculum and continuing education in areas such as Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Building Techniques.

Demographics

The 2010 Census reports the population of Pittsboro was 3,743. The town has experienced a 68% growth since 2000. The racial makeup of Pittsboro was 72% white, 19% African American, 4% other race, and 2% two or more races. Also, nearly 9% of the population was Latino or Hispanic. The population consists of 46% males and 54% females.

Additionally, there were 855 households, and nearly 30% had children under the age of 18 living at home. Roughly 40% were married couples living together, and almost 20% had a female householder with no husband present. Nearly 40% were non-families while 32.3 percent were made up of individuals and nearly 13% had someone 65 years of age or older who lived alone.

21.5 percent of the population were 65 years of age or older. Almost 23% were under 18, roughly 7 percent were from 18-24, nearly 29% were from 25-44 and 19.6 percent from 45 to 64. The median age was 39.

The average income for a household in Pittsboro was $35,800, and for a family, it was $42,391.  Pittsboro was once the home to the textile industry and the largest clothing label mill in the world. It was also an area where poultry was a significant industry. Today, Pittsboro is dependent on commuter income, retail stores and a developing business in genetics. Housing developments also provide relief from the loss of trade as the town grows and adjusts to the new economy.

As of 2016, Chatham County is among the 76 counties in North Carolina that has more people that are over age 60 than those ages 17 and younger. Also, Chatham had an estimated 23,258 persons who were age 60 and older. This is 32% of Chatham County’s population as compared to 14,136 of those aged 17 and younger, which is 19%. By 2036, it is expected that more than 4 of every ten residents of Chatham County will be over age 60 while only 16% will be 17 and younger. This change is contributed to the aging of the baby boomers. Chatham County is projected to be one of the eight counties with one in three of its residents aged 65 and older by 2036. Chatham County is also among the top eight counties which is measured by its anticipated growth for people 65 and older between 2016 and 2036. Chatham County understands the importance of having an aging plan and address the opportunities and challenges of a growing older population.

Focus areas for senior citizens in Chatham County include:

• Transportation
• Healthcare services and coverage
• Housing
• Social connectedness
• Community engagement
• Personal fulfillment
• Care services and caregiving

Senior Living

Cambridge Hills Assisted Living has customized care plans to meet the needs of each resident while providing dignified treatment. They are committed to providing high quality and high-level care every day at all-inclusive competitive rates.

The caring and 24-hour medically trained team at Cambridge Hills Assisted Living adjusts the personalized care plans to accommodate the continually changing needs of each resident. Cambridge Hills Assisted Living encourages independence and provides any needed assistance with daily living activities so families can enjoy time together with less stress.

Cambridge Hills Assisted Living is thoughtfully designed with common areas where you and your loved one can spend time together. The sunroom offers a bright place for residents to relax and they also have a lobby and private dining room where special occasions can be celebrated. Cambridge Hills Assisted Living provides a friendly, comfortable, and safe environment with a secure front entry in a one level building plan with three wings.

If you need memory care, Cambridge Hills Assisted Living accommodates 38 residents with a garden sanctuary for all to enjoy.

We offer private and semi-private rooms. Our living spaces provide cable television, telephone jacks, a private ADA bathroom with a low entry walk-in shower, an emergency call system and individually controlled air conditioning and heating. Cambridge Hills Assisted Living provides an activity program for all residents. Three meals prepared on-site daily under the direction of a dietary manager, weekly laundry services, a beauty and barber shop, and transportation to local doctor appointments.

Within Driving Distance Of Pittsboro NC

Pittsboro is close to the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is also near the Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the world. This area is home to excellent restaurants, world-renowned health care with Duke University and The University Of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, the Durham Bulls, numerous art museums, the Carolina Ballet, and the North Carolina Symphony. These attractions, colleges, and universities are more than outstanding academic, cultural, and entertainment centers, they are also research centers, medical centers and employment centers which are nearby to the community of Pittsboro.

In nearby Chapel Hill, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers monthly skywatching sessions. The Pittsboro area has something for everybody. This area has many events that multiple generations can enjoy together. If you need to travel, you are within a short drive to the Raleigh/Durham Airport.

Enjoy Pittsboro NC

Pittsboro holds onto its southern charm, small-town character and offers respect for one another, a strong sense of community and history while providing small town living. Chatham County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of North Carolina. You’ll discover diversity in Pittsboro with residents ranging from artists to farmers to merchants to students and senior citizens.

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