Moore County
Moore County has some of the most concentrated wealth and extreme poverty between the borders of its 699 square miles.
Although 21 percent of the county is classified as impoverished, it is best known for its quaint opulence. Pinehurst and Southern Pines feature some of the region's finest dining and lodging and some of the nation's finest golf resorts. It has twice been home to the men's U.S. Open and three times it has been home to the women's U.S. Open. Both tournaments will return to Pinehurst in 2014.
The county of 87,000 was formed in 1784 from Cumberland County and named for a former Revolutionary War hero and U.S. Supreme Court justice. Carthage, with 2,500 residents, is the county seat and puts on an annual Buggy Festival.
But Southern Pines and Pinehurst - home to several golf resorts - are where much of the action is.
The Sunrise Theater brings shows, plays and independent movies to downtown Southern Pines, where the Arts Council building is also located. An annual blues crawl takes participants to some of the county's pubs and features local blues musicians.
The town of Aberdeen is known for its Sardine Festival.
The county shares the All American Trail for biking, walking and jogging with Hoke County.