Moore County, North Carolina

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.7 | 106,898 people · 95th most distressed in North Carolina
American Default Research

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Moore County, NC falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.7 — 2271st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within North Carolina, it ranks 95th of 100 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 8 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Moore County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 59.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 59.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 40
Economic Vitality 59.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Consumer Credit Distress 32.4
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 52
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 22
Structural Poverty 24.9
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Legal Distress 15.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Moore County
Moore County, NC 38.7 Normal —
Scotland County, NC 81.2 Crisis +42.5
Richmond County, NC 74.8 Serious +36.1
Cumberland County, NC 74.3 Serious +35.6
Hoke County, NC 67.9 Serious +29.1
Randolph County, NC 62.5 Elevated +23.8
Harnett County, NC 61.0 Elevated +22.2
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated +19.1
Montgomery County, NC 51.0 Elevated +12.3
Chatham County, NC 31.6 Healthy -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Moore County
Bedford County, VA 38.6 Normal -0.1
Genesee County, NY 38.9 Normal +0.1
Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK 38.6 Normal -0.1
Tooele County, UT 38.5 Normal -0.2
Marquette County, MI 39.0 Normal +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Moore County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Moore County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Moore County.

SANDHILLS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC.
Southern Pines
910-947-5675 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-Purchase

See all counselors in North Carolina →

Find an Attorney

North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-662-7407

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Moore County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of North Carolina 1-866-219-5262
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy 704-376-1600
NC Equal Access to Justice Commission
Duke Law School Community Enterprise Clinic

Self-Help Resources

NC Courts Self-Help Resources — Foreclosure Official NC court system resources for foreclosure proceedings and borrower rights
NCHFA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and HAF information

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in North Carolina →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Moore County, North Carolina?

    Moore County has a County Distress Index score of 38.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,271st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 95th in North Carolina out of 100 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Moore County?

    The primary driver of distress in Moore County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 59.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Moore County compare to neighboring counties?

    Moore County (38.7) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Scotland County, NC (81.2); Richmond County, NC (74.8); Cumberland County, NC (74.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Moore County's score of 38.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Moore County's CDI score?

    Moore County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Moore County?

    Moore County, North Carolina has a population of approximately 106,898 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.