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Moore County, NC

RANK #651 / 996  ·  POP 100,759  ·  NC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%

Moore County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Moore County?

Moore County, North Carolina, is widely recognized as the "Home of American Golf," with Pinehurst standing out as a notable town that has hosted multiple U.S. Open championships. Situated in the Sandhills region, bordering both the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, the county is characterized by rolling hills and extensive longleaf pine forests. It is centrally located within North Carolina, about an hour's drive from Raleigh and Fayetteville. The community offers a blend of small-town charm and access to outdoor recreation, including numerous trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as several lakes for water activities.

Life in Moore County attracts a mix of retirees, families, and remote workers, drawn by its quality of life and highly-rated public schools. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture and lumber, now benefits significantly from tourism and the healthcare industry. Recent economic developments show growth in manufacturing and commercial sectors, with new investments in facilities and infrastructure. The county's proximity to military installations like Fort Liberty also contributes to its population growth and diverse community.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
6.4x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.5%

Above national median

Home Prices
+0.3%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Moore County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
100,759
+2.17% YoY
Median Household Income
$77,981
Median Home Value
$284,000
+0.35% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,084
Average Annual Pay
$54,059
+4.0% YoY
Employment
40,121
+4.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2746
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.45%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$439,900
Days on Market
104
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.0
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.5%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.4%
Listings w/ Price Drops
16.5%
Building Permits (2024)
942
Single-Family Permits
942

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$247M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Uwharrie Motorsports Park and Resort
Uwharrie Motorsports Park and Resort
$100M Under Construction
Amazon Last-Mile Distribution Facility
Amazon
$50M Operating
Ripple Fiber Optic Network
Ripple Fiber
$50M Operating
Moore County Solar Portfolio (9 projects)
Various (Pine Valley Solar, Dominion Renewable Energy, Heelstone Energy Holdings, etc.)
$47M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.5% 65 percentile
Population Growth +2.2% 90 percentile
Income Growth +15.6% 100 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 72 percentile
Home Price Change +0.3% 35 percentile
Rent Growth +0.8% 16 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 52 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moore County, NC a good place to move to?

Moore County has a Boom Town Index score of 35/100, ranking #651 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.0% and a median household income of $77,981, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Moore County affordable?

The median home value in Moore County is $284,000 with median rent at $1,084/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2746, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Moore County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +2.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.0%. Home values changed +0.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Moore County?

Yes — 3.45% of Moore County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Richland County, SC 45 Norfolk County, MA 45 Hall County, NE 45 Columbia County, PA 45 Yakima County, WA 45 Mercer County, WV 45 Bonneville County, ID 45 Madison County, KY 45