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Moore County

NC · Pop. 102,840 · Mixed County

48/100Homestead Score

Moore County, North Carolina covers 698 square miles with a population of 102,840 and a density of 147.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $315,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F and average winter lows of 32.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.57%
Growing Season: 219 days
Broadband: 91.7%
Density: 147.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 219-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus, with an emergency room, is just 7.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Moore County, NC is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
48/100
Median home price
$315k
Property tax
0.57%
Growing season
219 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
47.3"
Broadband
91.7%
Nearest hospital
Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus, 7.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.57%
Median Household Income$82,837
Poverty Rate10%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$315K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season219 days
Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
Avg Summer High87.5°F
Avg Winter Low32.2°F
Top CropsHay, Soybeans, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalFirsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus (7.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage91.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Moore County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Moore County?
Moore County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 219-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.5°F, and average winter lows of 32.2°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $315,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 91.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus is 7.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.