About Sanford

The Sanford Area includes the City of Sanford (pop. 24,000), the Town of Broadway (pop. 1085), and the County of Lee, with a total population of approximately 50,000. The Sanford area offers family living at its best, preserving the beauty and charm of its days as a small southern railway town, and blending it with a thoroughly modern and diverse economic base, a friendly, progressive populace, and efficient, fiscally responsible local government.

Sanford is also fortuitously located in the geographic heart of North Carolina, with convenient access to the amenities of the world-renowned Research Triangle to our north, and the equally renowned golf courses and resorts of Pinehurst and Southern Pines in the Sandhills to our south. While our moderate climate and four distinct seasons make life a pleasure year-round, for those who like even more variety, we’re a mere two hours from the sunny shores of the Atlantic and just three hours from the pristine streams and evergreen forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether you are looking for a new place to call home, or simply interested in a great place to visit, welcome again to our fine community from the more than 600 Sanford area businesses who are the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce. We have worked hard to create a favorable climate for business, promote economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the entire community, and we think that you will be pleased with the result. As you take a look around our site, we hope you find what you are seeking; if not, please feel free to drop us a note at ccsanford@wave-net.net, or us at (919) 775-7341. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Historic Sanford Walking Tour

The Chamber doors frequently revolve with people coming into our area wanting more information on Sanford and Lee County. Many of these people come in as couples with one having accepted a position at a local business and the other is anxious about their new “home town”. Recently we have had great success in introducing some of these folks to our area using the Historic Walking Tour produced by our Travel and Tourism Committee and Downtown Sanford, Inc. The audio, written by Chip Pate, comes on a CD that is easily carried in a portable player. One couple even played it in their car as they drove through town and then walked the route for a closer look. Tim Morrissey, the narrator, walks them through town pointing out 18 historical buildings and their stories. In addition, there are side excursions down Hawkins Avenue, North Steele Street and Chatham Street. If success can be measured by excitement, this walking tour does the trick. One couple could not wait to tell us what a “Great little town” we have here. (This was also helped along by their visit to Local Joe’s and Brick City Chop House during their stay.) If you haven If you haven’t had a chance to take the tour yourself, stop by the Chamber to pick up the CD and see Sanford through the eyes of history. You too might come away with a whole new appreciation of this place we are fortunate to call home.

Retirement in Sanford/Lee County

Sanford's mild climate and central location make it a prime retirement spot. Carolina Trace, ranked as one of the top 25 places to retire boasts an "Unhurried, Uncrowded, Uncommon" atmosphere. With two 18 hole championship golf courses, designed by architect Robert Trent Jones, swimming , tennis, and a 250 seat grand dining room all self-contained with a 24 hour security gate, you never have to go far from home to find exciting year-round recreation. For more information on Carolina Trace call (919)499-5121 and ask for Judy Hill.

The Lee County Enrichment Center is a state-of-the-art activity center for individuals 55 and over. Humanities programs, dances, trips, educational classes and volunteer opportunities are among the fare offered at the Center. An equipped fitness room with instructor is also available. Insurance counseling, tax assistance, home delivered meals and support groups are just a few of the many services offered at the Center.

For more information:
The Lee County Enrichment Center
1615 South Third Street
Sanford, North Carolina 27330
(919) 776-0501
Fax (919) 774-7593
enrich@wave-net.net