Quiet, small-town living in the North Carolina Sandhills
Southern Pines is a small town in central North Carolina’s Sandhills region. Inhabited by Siouan Native Americans until the early 1600s, this swath of Moore County was not settled again until Scottish Highlanders, undeterred by the area’s sandy soil, arrived in the late 1730s. The sand made carriage travel difficult and crop farming nearly impossible except for native lanky longleaf pine trees. Exporting lumber became the town’s top industry with the railroad expansion to Southern Pines in the mid-1800s. The increased accessibility also turned Southern Pines into a popular winter escape for northerners seeking a drier, milder climate than their own. Today, the resort atmosphere remains. “We call it a bubble for a reason. You’re surrounded by golf courses and clubs, so no matter where you go, there’s this very serene, relaxed atmosphere,” says Sven Schaefer, a Greenhem Realtor and decades-long Sandhills local.
Southern Pine residents enjoy serene walks at nearby Resevoir Park.
Golf courses are prevalent in the Southern Pines area.
Railroad expansion to Southern Pines in the mid-1800s brought industry to the area.
Tall pines and sandy soil typify the 'sandhill' environment of Southern Pines.
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Courses galore in the “Home of American Golf”
At the heart of North Carolina's golf country, there are nearly 40 courses within a 15-mile radius. The Talamore Golf Resort, on the north side of town, is internationally famous for its llama caddies, who are stabled between the No. 13 green and No. 14 tee. The world-famous Pinehurst Resort’s No. 2 course, host of the 2024 U.S. Open, is about 6 miles away. But there’s more to do in Southern Pines than golf. Over 30% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, from the 165-acre Reservoir Lake Park to Martin Park, a 50-acre, partially fenced pup play area. Southern Pines puts on seasonal events, like the springtime Easter Egg Hunt to the late-October BooFest kids’ trick-or-treating and Halloween carnival event, at Downtown Park. The Moore County Farmers Market also takes place there on Saturday mornings between March and November. The Morganton Road Sports Complex holds the year-round market on Thursday mornings. Moore County Hounds, the oldest fox hunt organization in North Carolina, is based in Southern Pines, and several nearby farms, like Refugio Farm Equestrian Center, Fox Lake Farm and Nine Oaks Farm, offer riding schools and stable space.
The Pinehurst Resort, near Southern Pines, is renowned for its golf course amenities.
Southern Pine residents enjoy numerous area golf courses.
A short drive from Southern Pines, The Pinehurst Resort brings golfers from all over the world.
Golfing is a way of life for Souther Pines residents.
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New construction boom all over town
“The housing market in this area is great,” Schaefer says, observing that homes here are “relatively affordable” compared to Pinehurst. The median single-family home price in Southern Pines is close to $560,000, well above the state median of $366,900 and slightly above the Pinehurst median of $547,000. But Schaefer observes that the price range in Southern Pines is significantly smaller than in Pinehurst. “Top of the market there is $5 million, whereas in Southern Pines, top of the market is more like $2 million or maybe $3 million.” Typically, homes stay on the market for 51 days before going under contract, about a week longer than the national average. In neighborhoods like Knollwood Village, late 20th-century condos and single-story bungalows are arranged around small golf courses. Large, new-construction Craftsman-inspired and Modern Transitional homes are prevalent, too. “When I moved here 10 years ago, there were 65,000 residents. Now it’s 100,000, and it’s predicted to be 150,000 by 2030. The secret is out, and people are coming here in droves, which you can see with all the new builds,” Schaefer says.
Southern Pines combines rural environments with urban amenities.
Two story homes are found in many Southern Pines neighborhoods.
Tree-lined streets are a common characteristic of Southern Pines neighborhoods.
Southern Pines features a wide range of single story ranch homes.
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Downtown Southern Pines is a lively shopping, dining and arts district
Broad Street, on both sides of the train tracks in historic Downtown Southern Pines, is a walkable stretch of local businesses, from boutiques to eateries. Schaefer describes Southern Pines as more of a shopping city than Pinehurst and Aberdeen, adding that its dining options are “amazing” for a county of only slightly over 100,000 people. “It’s a very serene little downtown and just a really nice place to walk through,” he says. Sunrise Theater, at the north end of downtown, does live performances and classic film screenings. A few blocks away, the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities is home to the Arts Council of Moore County’s galleries. The North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame is based out of the historic Campbell House across the street. National chain retailers are found along the U.S. Route 1/U.S. Route 501 intersection just south of Southern Pines proper.
Southern Pines residents enjoy coffee and conversation at Swank Coffee Shoppe.
Southern Pines' Against The Grain sources nearly all its merchandise within North Carolina.
Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities is a cultural hub for Southern Pines residents.
Big box retailers line the U.S. Route 1 and 501 intersection of Southern Pines.
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Moore County Schools and Sandhills Community College
The Moore County Schools system, which serves all of Southern Pines, earns a B-plus from Niche. While the district does not offer open enrollment/school choice, the A-plus-rated Academy of Moore County is a public, tuition-free charter elementary school available to county students by application. Southern Pines students are zoned to attend either McDeeds Creek Elementary or Southern Pines Elementary, feeder schools for Southern Middle and Pinecrest High. Schaefer says the A-minus-rated Pinecrest is the most highly sought-after of the three high schools in the district. It offers dual enrollment and Career & Technical Education classes in partnership with Sandhills Community College. Sandhills was the first comprehensive community college in North Carolina when it opened in the ‘60s about 5 miles north of Southern Pines proper.
Private school options include the O’Neal School, which receives an A from Niche and serves kids between preschool and 12th grade. “There’s a lot of homeschooling around here as well,” Schaefer says, attributing the reason to a high concentration of military families. One of the largest homeschool curriculum suppliers in the country, Classical Conversations, is based in Southern Pines.
Southern Pines residents attend Sandhills Community College for a higher education.
Southern Pines Elementary serves over 600 students.
The O'Neal School is a private school serving around 500 students.
Football is a popular sport at Pinecrest High School.
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Close to U.S. Route 1 and an Amtrak train station
Southern Pines is about 6 miles east of Pinehurst and slightly over 4 miles north of Aberdeen. U.S. Route 1, called Sandhills Boulevard locally, connects Southern Pines to Aberdeen and U.S. Route 501. And it’s less than 30 miles west of Fort Bragg, a drive that typically takes 40 minutes along two-lane, longleaf pine-lined roads. Raleigh, the next-closest big city, is nearly 70 miles northeast. Depending on Route 1 traffic, it’s about an hour-long drive. Amtrak provides direct train service from Southern Pines Station, off Northwest Broad Street in the middle of downtown, to Raleigh and southwest to Columbia, South Carolina.
Moore County violent crime rate increase, property crime rate decline
Southern Pines crime statistics aren’t readily available; however, the Moore County violent crime rate increased by over 13% between 2022 and 2023, while the county’s property crime rate declined by slightly over 1% during the same period. Moore County’s violent and property crime rates remain lower than the state's.
Written By
Megan Quintin
Photography Contributed By
Kris Bates
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Southern Pines, NC sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Southern Pines, NC over the last 12 months is $455,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The Bailey - This open floor plan features a spacious great room with a gas log fireplace with a mantle and black granite surround. The kitchen features an island with a breakfast nook extension, quartz countertops in ''New Willow White,'' white shaker cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, pantry, breakfast area, and stainless steel appliances including a microwave, dishwasher, and gas range.
Scott LincicomeBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners
This Garland home sits on a corner lot and offers stylish, low-maintenance living with an open-concept great room featuring a vaulted ceiling with faux wood beam and a gas log fireplace with black granite surround. The kitchen includes an island, 'Trigato' quartz countertops, white shaker cabinets, white herringbone tile backsplash, pantry, and stainless steel appliances, including a microwave,
Amy McKenzieBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners
PAMLICO. A formal dining room off the foyer, painted in SW ''Homburg Gray,'' features wainscoting detail. The spacious great room showcases a gas log fireplace with a mantle and black granite surround, and flows seamlessly into the kitchen and breakfast area. The open kitchen boasts a large island overlooking the great room, ''Trigato'' quartz countertops, white herringbone subway tile
Scott LincicomeBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyle Property Partners
Experience the ultimate in Contemporary Living. This FOUR-bedroom home really packs the WOW! -from the polished concrete floors to the soaring ceilings above. With just over 3200 heated square feet, this home is built to enjoy- whether entertaining a large crowd or simply relaxing by the fireplace with a good book inside or out on the patio. The kitchen features a massive center island that you
Located just steps from the Southern Pines Country Club, this beautifully updated townhome offers golf front and water views in one of Southern Pines' most desirable settings. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is truly move in ready and has been professionally cleaned and freshly painted throughout. The main level features true sand and finish hardwood floors and an open, functional layout with an
This 4 bedroom unit is right on the 17th green of Longleaf CC. It is the first unit in the Meadow Villas as you enter off Knoll Rd. There is no unit in front or on the left side, VERY PRIVATE.
Discover the perfect blend of space, charm, and convenience in this sought-after Southern Pines home, just a 10-minute walk to vibrant downtown. This rare three-story property offers over 2,800 square feet of living space on a fully fenced 0.51-acre lot, with a pre-listing inspection already completed for added peace of mind.The main living areas feature four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a
This luxury custom home will be built on TWO lots in Forest Creek, a gated golf course community. Thomas Brent Custom Homes has over 40 years of luxury custom build experience and plans to begin construction early 2026. This thoughtfully designed home comes with an array of premium standard features, including:-Luxury appliance package with a $45,000 allowance -Wide-plank solid or engineered
Beautiful townhome in the desirable Knollwood Village! This 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers over 2,000 sq ft of single-level living with a bonus flex space that could be converted into a 3rd bedroom or office. Updates include new flooring throughout the main living spaces and a newer roof, providing true move-in readiness. The open floor plan features a brick fireplace, built-ins, and a bright
Welcome to 126 St Mellions Drive, an elegant all-brick residence tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in the highly sought-after National section of Pinehurst. Built in 1998, this beautifully crafted home offers timeless architecture, refined living spaces, and a thoughtfully designed layout ideal for both everyday living and gracious entertaining. Encompassing approximately 2,747 square feet, the
Gorgeous home on a spacious half-acre lot within Southern Pines city limits and adjacent to Whispering Pines. This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in The Village at Blue Farm sits on a quiet cul-de-sac and offers exceptional living space, including a bright Carolina sunroom and a desirable split floor plan. Thoughtfully upgraded for efficiency, the home features a roof just over 3
Welcome to 167 Hunter Trail! This immaculately maintained single level home is located on a spacious corner lot and features a split bedroom floor plan with the primary suite secluded on one side of the home and guest rooms situated on the other end. Designed for easy living, this spacious open concept home features plantation shutters, rustic hardwood floors throughout the main living area, and
Discover the perfect opportunity to build your dream home on this nearly 1-acre vacant lot, ideally located in the highly desirable Southern Pines area. Offering a rare combination of privacy and convenience, this level, usable property is equipped with access to public water and sewer through the City of Aberdeen—making your build hassle-free. With no HOA restrictions and close proximity to Fort
Nestled in, at the end of a quiet Cul-De-Sac, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has so much to offer!!! Located in the desirable Sandhurst West subdivision of southern pines this 2000 square foot home has undergone some amazing updates!! You're welcomed in by the new concrete driveway with extra parking. The covered front porch is perfect for enjoying cool breezes during the summer months. Once
Completely Furnished Golf Front Rental!! This turnkey condo is available immediately for both short (3+months) or long-term rental. Tenant is responsible for all utilities, but all furnishings are included as well as dishes, linens etc. Shows like a designer inspired model. Perfect for traveling medical personnel or while waiting on a new build to finish.
Great location! This 3 bedroom and 2.5 bath offers an open floor plan downstairs, great for entertaining. Enjoy the privacy with its fenced in backyard. This home is a short walking distance to downtown Southern Pines. Pets negotiable with a nonrefundable pee fee.
Beautiful rental home in the desirable Sandhurst South neighborhood of Southern Pines, conveniently located near Fort Bragg gates and minutes from downtown. This spacious home offers 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room. Features include multiple living areas, an updated kitchen, formal dining, hardwood floors, granite countertops, and a primary suite with a tiled walk-in shower. Enjoy a private fenced
Completely Furnished Golf Front Rental!! This turnkey condo is available immediately for both short (3+months) or long-term rental. Tenant is responsible for all utilities, but all furnishings are included as well as dishes, linens etc. Shows like a designer inspired model. Perfect for traveling medical personnel or while waiting on a new build to finish. This is a one level unit on the top floor
Adorable 2 bed room upstairs duplex available for immediate occupancy. Located in the heart of downtown Southern Pines, you are just a block from dining, shopping and all that Southern Pines has to offer.
Welcome to Patrick's Pointe, Southern Pines' premier collection of townhomes and apartments where modern comforts meet a warm, southern atmosphere. Our community offers a unique blend of luxurious amenities and inviting living spaces, designed to suit every lifestyle.
This gorgeous and spacious townhome is located in the amazingly convenient Cypress Creek Townhome community. Minutes from shopping, restaurants, parks and natural trails, and all things ''Sandhills''. An open floor plan with soaring ceilings welcome you into this updated townhome with a main floor master suite. The eat-in kitchen walks out onto a deck with access to the common space for outdoor
Small-town charm meets modern style and convenience at Ascend Morganton Park, our brand-new apartment community in beautiful Southern Pines, NC. Choose from our wide range of one, two, and three bedroom floor plan options to find a home that feels like it was designed just for you. Enjoy cooking your favorite meals in a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, making quick work of your chores with a
Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in a quiet, established Southern Pines neighborhood. This recently renovated residence offers a comfortable layout with an open living area and functional kitchen, perfect for everyday living. Enjoy a private fenced backyard, firepit area, new back deck, and convenient single?story living close to local shops, dining, parks, and schools. Easy access to major roads
The Carolina Sandhills are your escape from urban chaos. Comfortably situated in the heart of the Sandhills, Overlook at Morganton Park offers residents a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of inner city life. Our brand-new apartments near Aberdeen and Pinehurst were thoughtfully designed with serenity and contentment in mind, blending contemporary interiors with on-site community
Now available for Rent or purchase! **Added Bonus for lease signing prior to Feb 3...Blinds and Privacy fence and blinds will be installed prior to move in date!** This BRAND NEW build by Pineland Homes is a charming floor plan with everything you'd expect from this exceptional local builder. With designer finishes, a functional and flowing floor plan, main floor spacious master suite with large
Enjoy the comfort of this designer apartment when you visit Tanglewood Apartments! Nestled amidst the long-leaf pines of the Sandhills of North Carolina, Tanglewood Apartments offers a quiet community located minutes from Highways 15/501 and US 1 in Southern Pines. We are approximately half an hour from Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, NC and convenient to schools, shopping and the attractions that make
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