Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
16 <br /> Since the adoption of the last comprehensive plan ("2030 <br /> Comprehensive Plan") in 2008, Orange County has experienced <br /> population increases,a loss of farmland due to low-density <br /> development,decreased housing attainability,and increased <br /> demand and need for climate action. Growth patterns have <br /> shifted as the southern towns near"build-out" and growth <br /> pressures in the western part of the county have increased near <br /> Mebane and along 1-85. Statistics shared here highlight the need <br /> to assess the County's land use plan policies and to create a plan <br /> to address these planning influences over the next 25 years. <br /> • From 2010 to 2020,the greatest • Percentage of the population <br /> increases in population who identify as African <br /> numbers in Orange County American has decreased in <br /> were in the unincorporated Orange County in the past two <br /> areas. decades. <br /> • The portion of Mebane in • According to the 2022 USDA <br /> Orange County experienced Agricultural Census, Orange <br /> the greatest percent change in County has experienced a <br /> population growth from 2010 significant decrease in the acres <br /> to 2020,compared to the other of land devoted to farming in <br /> municipalities. the past two decades. <br /> • North Carolina ranks 8th • The average size of farms <br /> nationally in the portion of the in Orange County has also <br /> population over the age of 65. decreased,while the total <br /> • Orange County's share of number of farms has increased. <br /> population growth due to • Fewer for-sale housing units <br /> ages 65 and older was higher are built in Orange County <br /> than surrounding counties and compared to nearby counties. <br /> North Carolina as a whole. <br /> • The median home sales price <br /> • From 2000 to 2022, Orange in Orange County continues <br /> County has seen an increase in to increase,while the median <br /> the Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and values for household income are <br /> Pacific Islander populations, not keeping pace. <br /> and the percentage of the <br /> population identifying as some • Orange County continues to see <br /> other race(or two or more a higher percentage of cost- <br /> races). burdened households compared <br /> to other areas in the region. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY LAND USE PLAN 2050 13 <br />