RANK #911 / 1001 NAT · #46 / 51 NC · POP 104,876
1YR FORECAST: -1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Moore County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.8% runs above the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Moore County scores just 8/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #911 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +6.5% and median household income of $86,080 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Moore County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $351,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,254/month on average.
Moore County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +6.5% clip. Home values shifted +0.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.17% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Moore County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.