RANK #632 / 996 · POP 52,612 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Raeford, the county seat, anchors Hoke County, a community in North Carolina's Coastal Plain and Sandhills regions. The county is approximately 20 miles from Fayetteville and Pinehurst, offering a balance of rural living with access to larger cities. A significant portion of Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) lies within the county's northern third, influencing the local population and economy. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Hoke Community Forest, offering marked trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, or visit the Calloway Forest Preserve, known for its longleaf pine habitats and diverse wildlife. The county also hosts the annual North Carolina Turkey Festival, a major event celebrating the state's turkey production.
Life in Hoke County often appeals to those seeking a quieter pace, with many residents owning their homes. The community has seen growth, partly due to its proximity to Fort Liberty, attracting military families and retirees. Hoke County Schools serves over 8,700 students across 14 schools, including Hoke County High School. Commute options include personal vehicles and the Hoke Area Transit Service (HATS), which provides door-to-door public transportation within and to neighboring counties. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture, particularly poultry production, is experiencing new investments in manufacturing and infrastructure, contributing to job growth and community enhancements.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Expansion
Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, LLC (PTT)
|
$102M | Under Construction |
|
County-wide Infrastructure and Facilities Upgrades (Proposed)
Hoke County
|
$54M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hoke County has a Boom Town Index score of 37/100, ranking #632 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $57,141, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hoke County is $177,500 with median rent at $1,036/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3219, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +0.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.38% of Hoke County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.