Moore County, North Carolina

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Moore County

| state = North Carolina

| seal = Moore County seal.jpg

| ex image = MOORE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, CARTHAGE, MOORE COUNTY.jpg

| ex image cap = Moore County Courthouse in Carthage

| founded = 1784

| named for = Alfred Moore

| seat wl = Carthage

| largest city wl = Pinehurst

| city type = community

| area_total_sq_mi = 705.69

| area_land_sq_mi = 697.68

| area_water_sq_mi = 8.00

| area percentage = 1.13

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 99727

| pop_est_as_of = 2023

| population_est = 106898 {{Increase}}

| population_density_sq_mi = 142.94

| coordinates = {{coord|35.31|-79.49|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}

| web = www.moorecountync.gov

| district = 9th

| time zone = Eastern

| flag = Moore County Flag.png

}}

Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 99,727. Its county seat is Carthage and its largest community Pinehurst. It is a border county between the Piedmont and the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

In the early years, the economy was dependent on agriculture and lumber. The lumber business expanded after railroads reached the area, improving access to markets. It lies at the northern edge of the area known as the Sandhills region, and developed resorts in the late 19th century, aided by railroads.

Since the early 21st century, Moore County comprises the Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Moore County is a part of the Fayetteville-Lumberton-Pinehurst, NC Combined Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 693,299 in 2023, making it the 75th-largest CSA in the United States.{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=United States Office of Management and Budget}}{{cite web |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-metro-and-micro-statistical-areas.html#v2023 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division}}

History

Archeological evidence indicates Siouan Native Americans inhabited the area eventually comprising Moore County from the early 500s until the 1600s. European settlers arrived in about 1739. In subsequent years, settlers of English, Ulster Scots, and German origin arrived by way of the Great Wagon Road and from the Cape Fear River valley, with most choosing to reside in the northern section of the eventual county. From the 1750s to the 1770s, the area received an influx of settlers from the Scottish Highlands, who mostly occupied the southeastern portions of the county and developed a naval stores industry with the area's longleaf pines. The Scots also brought African slaves to the area.{{sfn|Southern Pines Comprehensive Long Range Plan|2016|pp=B-24, B-25}}

File:ALSTON HOUSE, MOORE COUNTY.jpg skirmish occurred at the House in the Horseshoe (pictured) in 1781.]]

Settlement decreased during the American Revolutionary War. Settlers in the northern portion of the eventual county generally supported the Patriots, while the Highlands Scots in the southeastern area were mostly Loyalists. In July 1781 a Patriot–Loyalist skirmish took place at the House in the Horseshoe.{{cite web| url = https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/house-horseshoe/history| title = House in the Horseshoe : History| website = North Carolina Historic Sites| publisher = North Carolina Division of State Historic Sites and Properties| access-date = April 23, 2023}} Many Loyalists were socially ostracized after the end of the war. Moore County was formed in 1784, from part of Cumberland County. It was named after Alfred Moore, an officer in the Revolutionary War and a later associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=155}} A courthouse was erected the following year. The county's boundaries were redrawn several times between 1784 and 1829.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|pp=155–156}} The county's northern section benefited from economic development in the years after its creation. In 1796, a law was passed designating the county seat at a new community to be known as Carthage,{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=155}} where the courthouse was eventually moved in 1814. A new one was built six years later. Another one was built in 1840.

File:Gymkhana games in Pinehurst 2.jpg

Many men from the county served in the American Civil War. In 1877, the Raleigh and Augusta Air Line Railroad was established and laid through Moore, leading to the creation of new communities. Logging of the local pines increased and the rail towns of Cameron, Manly, Keyser, and Aberdeen were built to ship the lumber.{{sfn|Schloegl|1997|p=7}} Most of the county's old-growth pine forests were depleted by 1900.{{sfn|Southern Pines Comprehensive Long Range Plan|2016|p=B-25}} With large swathes of lands cleared and transportation links well-established, new health resort towns and mineral spas were created, such as Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Pinebluff, and Jackson Springs.{{sfn|Schloegl|1997|p=7}}

In 1897, the first golf courses were established in the county. The number of courses expanded over the years and drew in wealthy vacationers from New England and the Mid-Atlantic, who built seasonal homes in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. Fox hunting and polo and equestrian activities also grew in popularity.{{sfn|Schloegl|1997|p=7}} In 1907, parts of Moore and Chatham counties were combined to form Lee County.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=157}} In 1922, the present Moore County Courthouse was built. In 1958, the Little River Township of Hoke County was annexed to Moore.{{sfn|Monroe|2011|p=8}}

Moore County has many golf resorts in the Southern Pines/Pinehurst area, and hosted the 1996 and 2001 Women's U.S. Opens, as well as the 1999 and 2005 Men's U.S. Opens. The Women's Open returned to Southern Pines in 2007. In 2014, they consecutively hosted both the Women's and Men's Opens in the same year, a first in U.S. Open history.[http://www.msgpromotions.com/us-open-hospitality/2014-u-s-open-championship/ 2014 US Open Championship]

Geography

File:Pine trees in Moore County.jpg

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|705.69|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|697.68|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|8.00|sqmi}} (1.13%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} Moore County is bordered by Chatham, Lee, Harnett, Cumberland, Hoke, Scotland, Richmond, Montgomery County, and Randolph counties. It lies mostly within the Piedmont region, though some of the county extends into the state's Coastal Plain.{{cite web| url = https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/moore| title = Moore County| last = Mazzocchi| first = Jay| date = 2006| website = NCPedia| publisher = North Carolina Government & Heritage Library| access-date = April 20, 2023}} Additionally, the county lies within the Sandhills region, and about two-thirds of its land are host to sandy soils.{{sfn|Bonham|2012|pp=34–35}} The county drains into the Cape Fear River Basin and Lumber River Basin.{{sfn|Bonham|2012|p=34}} Local waterways include Pine Lake, Deep and Little Rivers{{cite news| last = Baxley| first = Jaymie| title = Company Postpones Plan to Tear Down High Falls Dam| newspaper = The Pilot| date = October 18, 2018| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/company-postpones-plan-to-tear-down-high-falls-dam/article_2ec1cbb2-d31a-11e8-b92c-c330bf56cdce.html| access-date = February 25, 2020}}{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Little River Near Mount Pleasant, NC |url=https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/02102907/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=waterdata.usgs.gov |language=en}} and Aberdeen, Big Governors, Big Juniper, Drowning, Herds, McLendons, Sugar, and Little Crane Creeks.{{cite web |title=Big Governors Creek Watershed Report |url=https://watersgeo.epa.gov/watershedreport/?comid=8874744 |accessdate=August 20, 2020 |website=US EPA Geoviewer |publisher=US EPA}}{{cite web |title=McLendons Creek Watershed Report |url=https://watersgeo.epa.gov/watershedreport/?comid=8874826 |accessdate=August 20, 2020 |website=US EPA Geoviewer |publisher=US EPA}}{{cite web |title=Aberdeen Creek Watershed Report |url=https://watersgeo.epa.gov/watershedreport/?comid=9125734 |accessdate=November 23, 2019 |website=Waters Geoviewer |publisher=US EPA}}

Longleaf pine is native to the region.{{cite news| last = Douglass| first = Laura| title = Foxfire's Longleaf Restoration Begins With Burn| newspaper = The Pilot| date = February 26, 2021| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/foxfire-s-longleaf-restoration-begins-with-burn/article_d196fa24-785e-11eb-8a16-2741f2e676a4.html| access-date = April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226215414/https://www.thepilot.com/news/foxfire-s-longleaf-restoration-begins-with-burn/article_d196fa24-785e-11eb-8a16-2741f2e676a4.html|archive-date=February 26, 2021}} It grows in the Sandhills Game Land, a state nature preserve which covers part of Moore County,{{Cite web|title=Sandhills Game Land |url=https://visitrichmondcounty.com/f/sandhills-game-land |date=July 23, 2019 |publisher=Richmond Country Tourism Development Authority|website=Richmond County Visitor's Guide|language=en-US|access-date=December 20, 2022}} and the Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, which resides wholly in the county.{{cite web| url = https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/weymouth-woods-sandhills-nature-preserve| title = Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve| publisher = North Carolina Divisions of Parks & Recreation | access-date = April 24, 2023}} Fish present in the county include bass, sunfish,{{cite news| last = Georgevitch| first = Gregory| title = Local Creeks, Lakes Allow for Fly Fishing Opportunities| newspaper = The Pilot| date = December 28, 2020| url = https://www.thepilot.com/sports/local-creeks-lakes-allow-for-fly-fishing-opportunities/article_70df4154-4925-11eb-afc3-8fbed9eae623.html| access-date = April 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228214509/https://www.thepilot.com/sports/local-creeks-lakes-allow-for-fly-fishing-opportunities/article_70df4154-4925-11eb-afc3-8fbed9eae623.html|archive-date=December 28, 2020}} and Cape Fear shiner. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker resides in the area.

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1790= 3870

|1800= 4767

|1810= 6367

|1820= 7128

|1830= 7745

|1840= 7988

|1850= 9342

|1860= 11427

|1870= 12040

|1880= 16821

|1890= 20479

|1900= 23622

|1910= 17010

|1920= 21388

|1930= 28215

|1940= 30969

|1950= 33129

|1960= 36733

|1970= 39048

|1980= 50505

|1990= 59013

|2000= 74769

|2010= 88247

|2020= 99727

|estyear=2024

|estimate=108417

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 18, 2015}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 18, 2015}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 18, 2015}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 18, 2015}} 2010{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36125.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 27, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/moorecountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Moore County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}

}}

=2020 census=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" \|+Moore County racial composition{{Cite web\|title=Explore Census Data\|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37125&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2\|access-date=2021-12-22\|website=data.census.gov}} !scope="col"\| Race !scope="col"\| Number !scope="col"\| Percentage
scope="row"\| White (non-Hispanic) \| 75,391 \| 75.6%
scope="row"\| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) \| 10,545 \| 10.57%
scope="row"\| Native American \| 688 \| 0.69%
scope="row"\| Asian \| 1,237 \| 1.24%
scope="row"\| Pacific Islander \| 59 \| 0.06%
scope="row"\| Other/Mixed \| 4,442 \| 4.45%
scope="row"\| Hispanic or Latino \| 7,365 \| 7.39%

class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"

|+Moore County racial composition{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37125&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-22|website=data.census.gov}}

!scope="col"| Race

!scope="col"| Number

!scope="col"| Percentage

scope="row"| White (non-Hispanic)

| 75,391

| 75.6%

scope="row"| Black or African American (non-Hispanic)

| 10,545

| 10.57%

scope="row"| Native American

| 688

| 0.69%

scope="row"| Asian

| 1,237

| 1.24%

scope="row"| Pacific Islander

| 59

| 0.06%

scope="row"| Other/Mixed

| 4,442

| 4.45%

scope="row"| Hispanic or Latino

| 7,365

| 7.39%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 99,727 people, 41,530 households, and 27,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile (41/km²). There were 48,237 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²).

Racially, 77 percent of county residents identified as white, 10 percent as black, 7.4 percent as Hispanic/Latino, 2.8 as Native American, and 1.3 percent as Asian.{{cite news| last = Johnson| first = Kristen| title = Hoke, Harnett counties experienced major population growth since 2010, Census results show| newspaper = The Fayetteville Observer| date = August 16, 2021| url = https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/08/16/census-hoke-harnett-county-saw-population-growth-us-census-north-carolina-data/8107329002/| access-date = April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925160325/https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/08/16/census-hoke-harnett-county-saw-population-growth-us-census-north-carolina-data/8107329002/|archive-date=September 25, 2021}} Compared to the rest of the state, the population of the county is older and more white.{{cite news| last = Quillen| first = Martha| title = Mix of Communities affected by Moore County power outage| newspaper = The News & Observer| page = 4A| date = December 6, 2022| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123557055/the-news-and-observer/}} For the first time, the census classified the municipalities of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Pinebluff, Taylortown, and Whispering Pines as constituting a contiguous urban area, due to the combined population of those areas exceeding 50,000 people.

Between 2010 and 2020, Moore County grew by 11,480 residents. The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management projected in 2023 that the county's population will grow to be 146,972 in 2040 and 170,097 in 2050.{{cite news| last = Risano | first = Ana| title = 'Small' vs. 'Large:' Towns Continue Transportation Planning Talks| newspaper = The Pilot| date = April 17, 2023| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/small-vs-large-towns-continue-transportation-planning-talks/article_7b052e1c-dd8b-11ed-bd09-47f4d4934370.html| access-date = April 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418193608/https://www.thepilot.com/news/small-vs-large-towns-continue-transportation-planning-talks/article_7b052e1c-dd8b-11ed-bd09-47f4d4934370.html|archive-date=April 18, 2023}}

Law and government

=Government=

Carthage is the seat of Moore County. The county's government is led by a five-member board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected at-large but represent districts in which they reside. The board is responsible for levying taxes and appropriating county funds, issuing ordinances within the confines of state law, and overseeing county government administration.{{cite web| url = https://www.moorecountync.gov/board-of-commissioners| title = Board of Commissioners| website = County of Moore, North Carolina| publisher = County of Moore Government| access-date = April 18, 2023}} The commissioners appoint a county manager who leads the everyday function of county administration under the commissioners' direction. They also appoint their own clerk, a county attorney, and a tax administrator. In addition to the commissioners, county voters elect a register of deeds.{{cite web| url = https://www.moorecountync.gov/community#modal-education | title = Moore Community : Our History| website = County of Moore, North Carolina| publisher = County of Moore Government| access-date = April 18, 2023}}

Moore County is a member of the Triangle J Council of Governments, a regional planning body.{{Cite web|title=About TJCOG |url=https://www.tjcog.org/about-tjcog |access-date=April 18, 2023|website=Triangle J Council of Government (TJCOG)|publisher=Triangle J Council of Government|language=en}} It is located in North Carolina's 9th congressional district,{{cite news| last = Hudson| first = Sam| title = Clark, Hudson Facing Off for 9th District| newspaper = The Pilot| date = October 17, 2022| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/clark-hudson-facing-off-for-9th-district/article_9013ba52-4e21-11ed-bc63-0f94cb2c06a2.html| access-date = April 20, 2023}} the North Carolina Senate's 21st district, and the North Carolina House of Representatives' 51st, 52nd, and 78th districts.{{cite web| url = https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Moore| title = Moore County Representation : 2023-2024 Session| publisher = North Carolina General Assembly| access-date = April 18, 2023}}

=Judicial system=

File:Moore County Courts Facility annex.jpg

Moore County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 29th Prosecutorial District, the 19D Superior Court District, and the 19D District Court District.{{cite web| url = https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/moore-county| title = Moore County| publisher = North Carolina Judicial Branch| access-date = April 18, 2023}} County voters elect a sheriff.

=Politics=

{{PresHead|place=Moore County, North Carolina|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 16, 2018}}}}

Politically, Moore County is dominated by the Republican Party. As of December 2022, the county hosts 15,812 registered Democrats, 31,387 Republicans, four members of the Green Party, 613 Libertarians, and 28,112 unaffiliated voters.{{cite news| last = Woolverton| first = Paul| title = Moore County, NC: Where is it, what makes it special?| newspaper = The Fayetteville Observer | date = December 5, 2022| url = https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2022/12/06/moore-county-nc-everything-to-know-about-the-community/69701703007/| access-date = April 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206013736/https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2022/12/06/moore-county-nc-everything-to-know-about-the-community/69701703007/|archive-date=December 6, 2022}}

Economy

Moore County residents are on average wealthier than their statewide contemporaries. In mid-2021, the United States Census Bureau reported the county's median annual income as $63,324. As of December 2022, the poverty rate was about nine percent. Healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and retail are the largest-employing private sectors in Moore.{{cite web| url = https://moorecountyedp.org/industries/| title = Industries| publisher = Moore County Economic Development Partnership| access-date = April 24, 2023}} Moore's economy also relies heavily on tourism, largely driven by golfing events. In 2021, the county benefitted from $673 million in tourism spending, giving it the 10th largest tourism economy among North Carolina's counties.{{cite news| last = Hudson| first = Sam| title = Moore County Sets Record in Visitor Spending| newspaper = The Pilot| date = August 17, 2022| url = https://www.thepilot.com/business/moore-county-sets-record-in-visitor-spending/article_aae6abc0-1e68-11ed-8120-efa5bfefb906.html| access-date = April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818195319/https://www.thepilot.com/business/moore-county-sets-record-in-visitor-spending/article_aae6abc0-1e68-11ed-8120-efa5bfefb906.html|archive-date=August 18, 2022}} Some county residents work in both civilian and military capacities at the U.S. Army's Fort Bragg in neighboring Cumberland County. Some manufacturing also takes place in Moore.

Transportation

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507782|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Moore County}}

Public airplane facilities are provided by the Moore County Airport, located near Pinehurst and Southern Pines,{{cite web| url = https://moorecountyedp.org/infrastructure/| title = Infrastructure| publisher = Moore County Economic Development Partnership| access-date = April 24, 2023}} though many air travelers opt to fly into Raleigh-Durham International Airport before driving to Moore.{{cite news| last = Baxley| first = Jaymie| title = Airport Officials Seeking County Support for Projects| newspaper = The Pilot| date = April 11, 2023| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/airport-officials-seeking-county-support-for-projects/article_cf5495c8-d84c-11ed-8bb3-8b4e25a09576.html| access-date = April 17, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230417103904/https://www.thepilot.com/news/airport-officials-seeking-county-support-for-projects/article_cf5495c8-d84c-11ed-8bb3-8b4e25a09576.html|archive-date=April 17, 2023}} A private airport, Gilliam–McConnell Airfield is maintained in Carthage.{{cite news| last = Douglass| first = Laura| title = Carthage Airfield Set to Exchange Hands| newspaper = The Pilot | date = February 3, 2023| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/carthage-airfield-set-to-exchange-hands/article_ee51e5a0-6636-11eb-99f3-6725fa66d847.html| access-date = April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424003032/https://www.thepilot.com/news/carthage-airfield-set-to-exchange-hands/article_ee51e5a0-6636-11eb-99f3-6725fa66d847.html|archive-date=April 24, 2023}} North–south rail lines are operated by CSX Transportation, with additional short-line rail service provided by the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway and the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Company. Amtrak maintains a passenger rail station in Southern Pines.{{cite web| url = https://www.southernpines.net/facilities/facility/details/Southern-Pines-Train-Station-1| title = Facilities: Southern Pines Train Station| website = Town of Southern Pines, North Carolina| publisher = Town of Southern Pines North Carolina| access-date = April 23, 2023}}{{cite web| url = https://www.amtrak.com/stations/sop| title = Southern Pines, North Carolina| publisher = Amtrak| access-date = April 23, 2023}}

=Major highways=

{{Jct|state=NC|US|1}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|1|dab1=Vass–Cameron}}{{cite news| title = NCDOT Awards $8 Million Repaving Contract for Moore County Roads| newspaper = The Pilot| date = June 7, 2018| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/ncdot-awards-8-million-repaving-contract-for-moore-county-roads/article_2973fe94-6aa8-11e8-8865-6fd5f0555907.html| archive-date = April 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426035533/https://www.thepilot.com/news/ncdot-awards-8-million-repaving-contract-for-moore-county-roads/article_2973fe94-6aa8-11e8-8865-6fd5f0555907.html}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US|15}}
{{Jct|state=NC|US|501}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|2}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|5}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|22}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|24}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|27}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|73}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|211}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|690}}
{{Jct|state=NC|NC|705}}

Education

Public primary and secondary education in the county is provided by Moore County Schools. Of the county's K-12 students, 72 percent are enrolled in public schools, 16 percent are enrolled in private and charter schools, and 11 percent are homeschooled. Post-secondary education is provided by the Sandhills Community College, which has its main campus in Moore.{{cite web| url = https://moorecountyedp.org/workforce-education/| title = Workforce & Education| publisher = Moore County Economic Development Partnership| access-date = April 24, 2023}} SandHoke Early College, a program managed by Hoke County Schools, also uses the campus.{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2023 |title=SandHoke Early College High School |url=https://www.sandhills.edu/academics/ccp/sandhoke-early-college-high-school-2.html |access-date=April 25, 2023 |website=Sandhills Community College |language=en}} According to the 2021 American Community Survey, an estimated 40.8 percent of county residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher level of education.{{cite web| url = https://data.census.gov/profile/Hoke_County,_North_Carolina?g=050XX00US37093| title = Moore County, North Carolina| publisher = U.S. Census Bureau| access-date = April 23, 2023}}

Culture

Many Moore County residents helped developed the regional pottery craft centered in Jugtown, Randolph County. The county is host to the Moore County Agricultural Fair, the Carthage Buggy Festival, the Pet Parade and Bark-in-the-Park Festival, and the North Carolina Playwright Festival. The Moore County Hounds hunting club hosts an annual British-style traditional fox hunt, the Blessing of the Hounds, on Thanksgiving Day.{{cite news| title = Timeless tradition in Moore County| newspaper = The North State Journal| date = December 4, 2016| url = https://nsjonline.com/article/2016/12/moore-county-thanksgiving-day-hunt/| access-date = April 22, 2023}}{{cite news| last = Murphy| first = Mary Kate| title = Blessing of the Hounds Event Returns This Thanksgiving| newspaper = The Pilot| date = November 19, 2021| url = https://www.thepilot.com/news/blessing-of-the-hounds-event-returns-this-thanksgiving/article_16bbce1a-49a4-11ec-aab4-b31ff4176ecb.html| access-date = April 22, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211128111610/https://www.thepilot.com/news/blessing-of-the-hounds-event-returns-this-thanksgiving/article_16bbce1a-49a4-11ec-aab4-b31ff4176ecb.html|archive-date=November 28, 2021}} Moore County, particularly the Pinehurst–Southern Pines area, host many golf courses and golfing tournaments.{{cite news| last = Madhavan| first = Neel| title = Golf sees 'rejuvenation' as a result of pandemic| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date =June 1, 2021 | url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/sports/49839/golf-sees-rejuvenation-as-a-result-of-pandemic| access-date = April 26, 2023}} Equestrianism is popular in the county. Several area buildings and sites have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{cite web| url = https://www.ncdcr.gov/about/history/division-historical-resources/state-historic-preservation-office/architectural-surveys-and-national-register-historic-places/north-carolina-national-register-historic-places/nc-listings-national-register-historic-places| title = NC Listings in the National Register of Historic Places| publisher = North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources| access-date = December 22, 2022}}

Communities

File:Map of Moore County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG

=Incorporated communities=

Aberdeen
Cameron{{cite web| url = https://www.moorecountync.gov/community/municipalities| title = Community : Municipalities| website = County of Moore, North Carolina| publisher = County of Moore Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
Carthage (county seat)
Foxfire
Pinebluff
Pinehurst (largest community){{Cite web |title=QuickFacts: Moore County, North Carolina; Pinehurst village, North Carolina; Southern Pines town, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/moorecountynorthcarolina,pinehurstvillagenorthcarolina,southernpinestownnorthcarolina |access-date=April 18, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
Robbins
Southern Pines
Taylortown
Vass
Whispering Pines

=Townships=

The county is divided into ten townships, which have no legal or political authority:

Carthage
Bensalem
Sheffields
Ritter
Deep River
Greenwood
McNeill
Sandhill
Mineral Springs
Little River

=Census-designated places=

Jackson Springs{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2812798| title = Feature Details : Jackson Springs Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
Seven Lakes{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2402839| title = Feature Details : Seven Lakes Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 26, 2023}}

=Unincorporated communities=

Eagle Springs{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1020069| title = Feature Details : Eagle Springs| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
Glendon{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/985730| title = Feature Details : Glendon| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
High Falls{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1020730| title = Feature Details : High Falls| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
Manly{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1021338| title = Feature Details : Manly| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}
West End{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/997007| title = Feature Details : West End| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = April 27, 2023}}

Notable people

Charles Brady (1951–2006), was raised here. He became a physician, career Navy officer, and NASA astronaut
John Edwards (born 1953), politician, US Senator and former presidential candidate was raised here
Jeff Hardy (born 1977) and Matt Hardy (born 1974), brothers, were raised here; they are professional wrestlers currently working in All Elite Wrestling as The Hardy Boyz
Mable Parker McLean (1922–2012), academic administrator{{Cite journal |last=Bates |first=Gerri |date=2007 |title=These Hallowed Halls: African American Women College and University Presidents |journal=The Journal of Negro Education |volume=76 |issue=3 |pages=373–390 |issn=0022-2984 |jstor=40034579}}
Shannon Moore (born 1979), was raised here; he is a wrestler currently working in the Independent Circuit
Shanann Watts (1984–2018), murdered with her two daughters by her husband Chris in Colorado in 2018{{cite web|last=Chapin|first=Josh|url=https://abc11.com/chris-watts-update-parents-news-family/4677948/|title='He's not a monster': Parents of Chris Watts defend son who admitted to killing wife, children|work=WTVD|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=September 8, 2022|quote=Shanann Watts lived in Moore County when she was younger and attended Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines}}

References

Works cited

{{Citation| last = Bonham| first = John G.| title = Moore County Working Lands Protection Plan | publisher = North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality| date = August 21, 2012| url = https://umo.edu/wp-content/uploads/Moore_County_FLP.pdf}}
{{cite book| last = Corbitt| first = David Leroy| title = The formation of the North Carolina counties, 1663-1943| publisher = North Carolina Division of Archives and History | edition = reprint| date = 2000| location = Raleigh| url = https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/the-formation-of-the-north-carolina-counties-1663-1943/3692099?item=4553233| oclc= 46398241}}
{{cite book|title=Hoke County |first1=Joyce C. |last1=Monroe |last2=Raeford-Hoke Museum |date=2011 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn= 978-0-7385-8679-3|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jBmArfFTD6gC|ref={{harvid|Monroe|2011}}}}
{{cite book| last = Schloegl| first = Richard J.| title = Moore County| publisher = Arcadia Publishing| date = 1997| location = | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zDx3X59-3ykC| isbn = 9780752405261}}
{{Citation| title = Town of Southern Pines Comprehensive Long Range Plan| publisher = Town of Southern Pines| date = March 8, 2016| url = http://southernpinesudo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CLRP-adopted-3-8-16.pdf| ref = {{harvid|Southern Pines Comprehensive Long Range Plan|2016}}}}

External links

{{osmrelation|2528725}}
{{Official website|http://www.moorecountync.gov}}
[http://www.moorecountychamber.com/ Moore County Chamber of Commerce]
[http://www.moorehistory.com Moore County Historical Association]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160128203653/https://moorecountync.gov/community/history Moore County NC History]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080515020044/http://www.gosandhills.com/history.html Go Sandhills History]
[http://www.ncgenweb.us/moore/ NCGenWeb Moore County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Moore County, North Carolina

|North = Chatham County

|Northeast = Lee County

|East = Harnett County

|Southeast = Cumberland County

|South = Hoke County and Scotland County

|Southwest = Richmond County

|West = Montgomery County

|Northwest = Randolph County

}}

Category:1784 establishments in North Carolina