Bear Creek is an unincorporated community

Unincorporated area

In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...

 in southwestern Chatham County

Chatham County, North Carolina

Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...

, North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It is named for a nearby creek that eventually flows into the Rocky River. The community lies along Old US Highway 421 and is situated between Siler City and Goldston.

Bear Creek is home to Chatham Central High School

Chatham Central High School

Chatham Central High School is a public high school located in Bear Creek, North Carolina with a student population of around 500 students. It is part of Chatham County Schools....

, one of three high schools in the county

Chatham County Public Schools

The Chatham County Public School System is a school district located in Chatham County, North Carolina and is operated by an elected school board. The school district currently operates 17 schools throughout the county.- Schools :...

. It is also home to Southern Supreme, a mail-order gourmet foods company best known for manufacturing fruitcakes.