McLauchlin
RANK #720 / 996 NAT · #36 / 51 NC · POP 52,612
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
At 27/100, Hoke County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $57,141 combined with job growth of +0.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Hoke County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $177,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,036/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Hoke County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted +0.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 6.38% of Hoke County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.