Diverse North Carolina town welcoming new industry
Known for its ties to actress Frances Bavier, who played Aunt Bee on “The Andy Griffith Show,” Siler City is a small community on an upswing. Chatham County’s largest town, Siler City, sits roughly 32 miles southeast of Greensboro and 54 miles west of Raleigh, putting it between the growing Piedmont Triad and the bustling Research Triangle. “Siler City is small enough to know you but large enough to serve you,” says Donald Matthews, the Mayor of Siler City, who adds that the town’s biggest asset is its people. “They are resilient. They went through a lot of changes with the loss of the furniture industry. The people hung tough, and they’re still here, and we’re still moving forward.”
Founded in 1887, Siler City began as a farming and milling community. Following the railroad's arrival, it grew into a small hub for commerce. By the 1990s, industry was the big economic driver, specifically poultry, which attracted immigrants and Latino workers to the town. Siler City remains a diverse community of about 8,000 people today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, half of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. “I don’t think that we could operate without that community working here, living here and paying taxes here,” Matthews says. “If you go to Downtown Siler City, every other business is Latino.”
Mountaire Farms, a family-owned and operated Business, is one of the town’s largest employers. Its processing center opened in April 2019, reviving the community’s fading poultry industry. Furniture manufacturers Charter Furniture and Pasha Furniture are other big employers. Wolfspeed, one of the largest chip manufacturers in the United States, is building a campus in Siler City, bringing 1,800 new jobs. Matthews says the town is preparing for an influx of new residents. It recently expanded its water sewage treatment plant to increase capacity, and a new affordable housing development is going up behind UNC Health Chatham, the town’s 25-bed critical access hospital that offers emergency care, surgical services, rehabilitation and maternity care.
Siler City, sits roughly 32 miles southeast of Greensboro and 54 miles west of Raleigh.
Founded in 1887, Siler City began as a farming and milling community.
Wolfspeed, one of the largest chip manufacturers, is building a campus in Siler City.
Mountaire Farms, a family-owned and Business, is one of the town’s largest employers.
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A mix of historic housing and early 2000s suburbia
Home prices in Siler City are falling, down 7% from 2023 to 2024. The median price for a home is $275,000, significantly below the national median of $404,500. Buyers are paying as low as $250,000 for a brick ranch-style home and up to $600,000 for a traditional two-story home.
Cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes rest in one of the town’s oldest neighborhoods west of downtown, known locally as “Aunt Bee’s neighborhood.” Two-story traditional homes fill subdivisions close to the Wolfspeed mega site. There are also communities of manufactured homes, including Love’s Creek.
Buyers are paying as low as $250,000 for a brick ranch-style home in Siler City.
The median price for a home in Siler City is $275,000.
Cottages and Cape Cods Siler City.
There are also communities of manufactured homes Siler City.
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An emphasis on local in Downtown Siler City
Centered around Chatham Avenue in the heart of town is Downtown Siler City. Once home to name-brand stores, this short stretch of red brick buildings is filled with locally owned shops, companies and cafes. Boutiques feature a range of products, from furniture and clothing to gifts and groceries. The small collection of restaurants, bakeries and cafes serves mostly American fare and Mexican cuisine. “Downtown Siler City is on the way up. We’re trying to become a designated Main Street Community,” Matthews says.
The North Carolina Arts Incubator is energizing the town center. The nonprofit provides studio space for creators and artisans, sponsors artist-in-residence programs and hosts exhibitions and performances. The Chatham Rabbit is next door, where local musicians perform every third Friday in the summer. Matthews says the coffee shop is a place of community. “During the course of a day, anyone you want to find will eventually come through there,” he says.
Town events, such as the annual Spring Chicken Festival, are typically held in Downtown Siler City. The festival, sponsored by Mountaire Farms, is an ode to the town’s poultry industry and features dozens of vendors, food trucks and live music.
Centered around Chatham Avenue in the heart of town is Downtown Siler City.
The NC Arts Incubator is energizing the town center in Siler City.
The Chatham Rabbit is a great place to grab a coffee in Siler City.
Siler City has a large Latino population and great Mexican restaurants.
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Bray Park, Loves Greenway and Jordan Lake
Six parks, a community center and two gymnasiums are sprinkled around Siler City, offering places to exercise, gather and relax. Hugged by woods on the southeastern side of town, Bray Park is one of the busiest green spaces. With four lighted baseball fields, a soccer field and courts for tennis and basketball, it often hosts youth sports leagues and casual pick-up games. Its aquatic center is the summer spot for pool parties and morning laps. Matthews says the town is slowly upgrading its parks. Recently, a project at Washington Park added a new pickleball court and resurfaced the basketball court. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area sits 27 miles to the east, offering camping, hiking, boating and fishing. “It’s a big draw. People come from everywhere to partake in the outdoor activities there,” Matthews says.
Bray Par in Siler City four lighted baseball fields.
Six parks, a community center and two gymnasiums are sprinkled around Siler City.
Washington Park in Siler City add a new pickle ball court.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area sits 27 miles to the east of Siler City.
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Getting around the Triad and the Research Triangle
U.S. Highway 64 slices through Siler City’s northern half and intersects with U.S. Highway 421 on the east side of town. “That gives us a unique position to be in the mountains or at the beach in 2 or 2 ½ hours,” Matthews says. Highway 64 leads to Pittsboro and Raleigh to the east and Asheboro to the west. Route 421 heads to Greensboro. Without public transportation of its own, Siler City is a car-dependent community. However, Chatham Transit offers point-to-point rides, a service Matthews says is often used by older members of the community to get to doctor’s appointments. Siler City has one greenway, the Loves Creek Greenway, which begins at Bray Park and winds through the forest along Loves Creek to the Autumn Estates neighborhood.
U.S. Highway 64 slices through Siler City’s northern half.
Highway 64 leads to Pittsboro and Raleigh to the east and Asheboro to the west.
Downtown Greensboro is a short walk or drive from Bessemer.
Siler City has one greenway, the Loves Creek Greenway.
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Chatham County Schools and a passion for youth athletics
Chatham County Schools serves Siler City and earns an overall rating of B-plus from Niche. More than 8,900 students attend classes at the district’s 20 schools. Siler City is home to Jordan Matthews High, which receives a B grade and hosts games for the county’s American Legion Baseball team, the Chatham Legion. Mayor Matthews says sports, especially youth sports, are a big part of the culture in Siler City. “We’re all about Friday night football, soccer and baseball,” he says. “The high school soccer team has won a couple of state championships over the years.” Chatham Charter School, which offers kindergarten through 12th grades, is also in Siler City. The school gets an A-minus rating and is focused on college preparedness.
The Chatham County School district over sees Siler City schools.
Jordan Matthews High in Siler City hosts games for the county’s American Legion Baseball.
A big part of Siler City is Friday night football, soccer and baseball.
Chatham Charter School, which offers kindergarten through 12th grade in Siler City.
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Crime and climate in Siler City
Siler City’s violent crime rate is slightly above the national average, while the property crime rate is below the national average. According to FBI crime data, violent crime is ticking downward. Siler City Police reported 159 incidents of violent crime in 2022 and then 125 incidents in 2023. Property crime is also on a downward trend, with 254 property crimes reported in 2022 and 194 incidents in 2023.
Summers in Siler City are hot and humid. Winters are mild. Snowfall is possible, though rare.
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