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- The most recent population estimate of Chatham County is just under 43,000.
- As of the 1990 census, Chatham’s population is 76% White, 23% African American, 0.3 American Indian, and 0.2% Asian. At that census, an estimated 1.5% of the population identified themselves as being of Hispanic origin.
- Unofficial estimates of the Hispanic population indicate that growth has grown to 10-15% of the total population in 1995. There are an estimated 7000-9000 Latino immigrants who currently reside in Chatham County. Many service agencies estimate that 38% of Siler City residents are Latino.
- While the proportion of seniors in the county is slightly less than state averages, seniors represent the fastest growing age group of documented residents of the county.
- 10.8% of Chatham residents (4,518 persons) live in poverty using federal poverty guidelines.
- Using broader guidelines as suggested by poverty experts, the total poverty estimate in Chatham includes approximately 15,000 persons, or 35% of county residents.
- Based on the population noted in the 1990 census, 35.7% of Chatham residents (15,206) have no health insurance or are “at risk” for inadequate health insurance on an annual basis (defined as having no insurance during part of the year or being underinsured).
- When looking at insurance for Chatham’s poor, fully 60% are “at risk” for inadequate health insurance.
- The proportion of Latino persons in the county with insurance is unknown. Estimates are that at least half (5,000) of the immigrant population in Chatham has inadequate health insurance.
- The June 1995 unemployment rate for the Chatham County was estimated at 2.7%, compared to 4.7% for North Carolina.
- There are few housing options available in Chatham County for persons of any income level.
- Nearly 10% of Chatham residents recently surveyed by telephone reported being concerned during the last 30 days about having enough to eat.
- Nearly 10% of Chatham residents recently surveyed by telephone reported their neighborhood to be not at all safe.
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