Orange County NC Website
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43 <br /> industries.With 62%of residents aged 25 and over holding a bachelor's degree or higher,the <br /> county boasts a highly educated workforce and a low unemployment rate. <br /> However,workforce shortages persist in lower-wage sectors such as retail,food service, and other <br /> essential support industries,which rely on employees with lower formal educational attainment.A <br /> key contributing factor is the high cost of housing,which may prevent these workers from living <br /> within the county.Addressing affordable housing challenges will be critical to ensuring a <br /> sustainable workforce across all economic sectors. <br /> MA-50 Needs and Market Analysis Discussion <br /> Are there areas where households with multiple housing problems are concentrated?(include <br /> a definition of"concentration")? <br /> Households experiencing multiple housing problems—such as cost burden, overcrowding, and <br /> inadequate housing conditions—are expected to be found throughout the county,with <br /> concentrations in areas where there are substantial numbers of extremely low-and very low- <br /> income households.Traditionally, cost burden has been most severe in urban areas, such as <br /> Chapel Hill and Carrboro,where housing costs are highest. However,the affordability crisis is no <br /> Longer confined to urban centers and is increasingly spreading into rural parts of Orange County, <br /> where historically lower housing costs are rising due to increased demand, limited housing supply, <br /> and regional market pressures.As urban housing costs continue to climb, many low-and <br /> moderate-income households are being pushed into rural areas, only to find that affordable <br /> housing options remain limited due to insufficient rental stock, lack of multi-family housing <br /> development, and fewer public transportation options.This shift is further exacerbated by <br /> gentrification and displacement pressures, as lower-income households struggle to secure stable, <br /> affordable housing near employment opportunities, schools, and services. <br /> Are there any areas in the jurisdiction where racial or ethnic minorities or low-income families <br /> are concentrated?(include a definition of"concentration")? <br /> There appear to be three block groups in Orange County where racial/ethnic minorities and low- <br /> income households are concentrated: <br /> • Northwest of Hillsborough, in an area with a mix of rural and suburban development. <br /> • West of Carrboro,where a historically lower-income population resides amid increasing <br /> housing pressures. <br /> • Northeast of Chapel Hill along US Route 15/501, an area experiencing both economic <br /> disparities and affordability challenges due to rising housing costs. <br /> These areas highlight the geographic disparities in housing affordability and economic opportunity, <br /> emphasizing the need for targeted investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, and <br /> community services to support residents facing disproportionate housing burdens. <br /> What are the characteristics of the market in these areas/neighborhoods? <br /> 40 <br />