There are 11 incorporated municipalities in Moore County. Southern Pines is our most populous town, and Carthage is the county seat. Other municipalities include Aberdeen, Cameron, Foxfire Village, Pinebluff, Robbins, Taylortown, Vass, the Village of Pinehurst and Whispering Pines.

SOUTHERN PINES - PINEHURST RANKED HIGHLY IN 'ECONOMIC STRENGTH'
The Southern Pines-Pinehurst Micropolitan Statistical Area (McrSA) is ranked 24th in Economic Strength out of the 574 Micropolitan Areas throughout the United States, according to POLICOM Corporation's 2009 Economic Strength Rankings.  POLICOM is an independent economic research firm specializing in analyzing local and state economies to determine if they are growing or declining and why.  In 2008, Southern Pines-Pinehurst was ranked 27th.

»  The Southern Pines-Pinehurst Area's ranking suggests that this area's economy is stable and consistently growing both in size and quality, enabling residents to enjoy a higher quality of living and less economic volatility.

A Micropolitan Statistical Area is defined as an urbanized area with a population of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000, usually within one county.  POLICOM describes Economic Strength as "the long-term tendency for an area to consistently grow in both size and quality", while taking into consideration the rate, consistency and stability of the growth.  The higher the ranking, the more rapid and consistent the growth is over an extended period of time. 

SOUTHERN PINES - PINEHURST AREA RANKED #2 "DREAMTOWN" IN NC, 35TH IN THE NATION
The Southern Pines - Pinehurst micropolitan area is ranked as the No. 2 "Dreamtown" in North Carolina and No. 35 in the nation out of 140 smaller communities evaluated throughout the United States.  American City Business Journals, the largest publisher of metropolitan business newsweeklies, including Triangle Business Journal, in the United States gave the highest ranks to those communities having less traffic congestion, solid economies, moderate costs of living, strong educational systems, and easy access to the attractions of metropolitan areas.

Moore County's greatest asset is our exceptional quality of life.  Our communities are a great place to live, retire, work, locate a business, and visit.

»  To read the August 14, 2008 press release about our Dreamtown, click here.

FORBES RANKS SOUTHERN PINES - PINEHURST AS 9th "LEAST VUNERABLE TOWN"
In an October 9, 2008 article, Forbes.com ranked 141 micropolitan areas across the nation based on the 5 criteria of unemployment, median income, poverty, education and outstanding mortgage debt. 

Using August 2008 unemployment data and 2007 Census data, Forbes looked at unemployment, median income and poverty levels as a measure of the local economy and standard of living.  Education data focused on workforce competitiveness and readiness, while mortgage debt reflected home equity and the stability of the local housing market.

Each micropolitan area was given a ranking in each of the 5 categories which were then added together for a total score.  Those areas with the lowest scores were considered to be the "Most Vunerable Towns", while those with the highest scores were the "Least Vunerable". 

» The rankings suggest that communities with high scores, like Southern Pines - Pinehurst, are better equipped to deal with the challenges and effects of negative changes in the national economy. 

Southern Pines - Pinehurst tied with Lexington Park, MD for the 9th and 10th positions in the list of the top 10 Least Vunerable Towns, both having a score of 508.  Lebanon, NH was ranked No. 1 with the highest score of 598. 

» To read the article, "America's Most and Least Vunerable Towns", in its entirety, click here.  To view the chart showing the rankings of all 141 micropolitan areas, click here.

Whatever your lifestyle and business goals may be,
you’ll find a community here to meet your needs.