Southern Pines, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Southern Pines is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 16,052. Residents earn $83,681 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
16,052 Population 874/sq mi density
$83,681 Median Income $52,502 per capita
$416,300 Home Value $452,881 Zillow
$1,215 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
570 Violent Crime/100K 3,959 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$83,681 median income, 2.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$416,300 home value, $1,215/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
570 violent crimes/100K (50% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
54.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,681
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $416,300
48% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 570/100K
50% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 54.7%
62% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,215
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.1%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.8%
45% lower than US avg

How Southern Pines Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population16,052
Median Age38.6 yrs
Density874/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

A+
Median Income$83,681
Per Capita$52,502
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$5,743M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$416,300
Rent$1,215
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$452,881

Crime

F
Violent570/100K
Property3,959/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault410/100K
Burglary1,003/100K

Health

Obesity32.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.8 in/yr
Elevation391 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+54.7%
High School+93.3%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute24 min
EV Stations7
Libraries8

Is Southern Pines a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Southern Pines receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Southern Pines offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Southern Pines is $83,681, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. Only 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Southern Pines is $416,300, 48% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,215 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 570 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,959 per 100,000, 102% above the national average.

Education

Southern Pines is a highly educated community — 54.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Southern Pines enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Southern Pines has a population of 16,052 with a density of 874 people per square mile. The median age is 38.6 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (75.6%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 11.7% Black.

Population

16,052
Total Population
874
People / sq mi
38.6yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
18.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Southern Pines vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.0%
15% above US avg
Spanish10.0%
25% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Southern Pines vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Southern Pines is $83,681, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Southern Pines vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,681
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,502
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$97,613

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.8%
45% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,472
County GDP$5,743M

Business (County)

Restaurants251
Healthcare308
Retail363
Manufacturing66

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,754
36% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home14.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Southern Pines is $416,300, 48% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,215 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $452,881.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$416,300
48% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$452,881
Median List Price$614,700

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$614,700
$/Sq Ft$216
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio95.6%
Price Drops8.4%
Inventory143

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,215
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,799

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied56.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,754
36% above US avg
Effective Rate1.14%
In Southern Pines, 32.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.5% report depression. 18.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Southern Pines vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.1%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity18.0%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress10.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.3%
Checkup Rate79.1%
Premature Death9,156/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities308
Southern Pines has a violent crime rate of 570 per 100,000 residents, 50% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,959 per 100,000 (102% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Southern Pines vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent569.9/100K
50% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape22.8/100K
Robbery136.8/100K
Assault410.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,958.7/100K
102% above US avg
Burglary1,003.0/100K
Theft2,872.1/100K
Vehicle Theft83.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Southern Pines has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.8 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall1.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation391 ft (119 m)
Area18.4 sq mi (47.6 km²)
Population Density874/sq mi
Coordinates35.1904°N, 79.3959°W
County FIPS37125
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 54.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.3%
D 34.8%

Winner: Republican by 29.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+54.7%
62% above US avg
High School+93.3%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density874/sq mi
Total Area18.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities308
Restaurants251
Retail Stores363

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home14.1%

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