Southern Pines, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Southern Pines, North Carolina had a total population of 16,420, the 65th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $88,535, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 52.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Southern Pines Quick Facts
How Southern Pines Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,052 | 16,420 | +2.3% |
| Median household income | $83,681 | $88,535 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $416,300 | $451,100 | +8.4% |
How Southern Pines Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Southern Pines Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Moore County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinehurst | 18,256 | $109,802 | 4.3% | $476,600 |
| Aberdeen | 9,228 | $75,078 | 10.5% | $314,900 |
| Whispering Pines | 5,211 | $126,450 | 5.3% | $464,800 |
| Seven Lakes | 4,535 | $91,085 | 8.8% | $394,500 |
| Carthage | 2,896 | $82,695 | 14.2% | $208,200 |
| Foxfire | 1,925 | $85,117 | 4.6% | $386,700 |
| Robbins | 1,893 | $53,438 | 22.1% | $99,100 |
| Pinebluff | 1,806 | $80,833 | 6.1% | $234,200 |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | 6.7% | $257,500 |
| Candor | 1,160 | $57,639 | 28.2% | $164,900 |
Cities Similar to Southern Pines
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | $320,700 | 45.7% | 4.5% |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | $395,000 | 51.1% | 7.9% |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | $337,800 | 36.7% | 8.2% |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | $428,000 | 53.7% | 4.8% |
| Anderson Creek | 13,927 | $87,287 | $282,200 | 35.0% | 14.6% |
Population Overview
Southern Pines is a small city located in North Carolina, within Moore County. The total population is 16,420. It ranks as the 65th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Southern Pines is 38.7 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Southern Pines is $88,535. This is 22% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.7%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $451,100. Housing costs are 56% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 56.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Southern Pines is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
52.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Southern Pines in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%. Notably, 23.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Southern Pines, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Southern Pines, North Carolina?
Southern Pines, North Carolina has a population of 16,420 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Southern Pines, NC?
The median household income in Southern Pines is $88,535, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Southern Pines, NC?
The poverty rate in Southern Pines is 9.6%. This means approximately 1,533 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Southern Pines, North Carolina?
Southern Pines's population is 73.4% White, 10.8% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Southern Pines, NC?
The median home value in Southern Pines is $451,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Southern Pines, North Carolina?
52.9% of adults (25+) in Southern Pines hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.