Hoke County is a county in North Carolina, United States, in the Sandhills region near Fort Bragg. It had a population of 52,082 at the 2020 census and covers 391.68 square miles (1,014.4 km2) centred near 35°01′01″N 79°14′24″W.
Raeford is the county seat, and its postal code is 28376. The county has one city, six census-designated places, and more than a dozen unincorporated communities. Hoke County is in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Hoke County
Hoke County has 25 named places on record: one incorporated city (Raeford), six census-designated places (CDPs), and 18 unincorporated communities and crossroads. CDPs have no separate municipal government; unincorporated communities have neither a government nor formal boundaries.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raeford | City · seat | — | 28376 |
| Ashley Heights | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Bowmore | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Dundarrach | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Five Points | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Rockfish | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Silver City | CDP | — | 28376 |
| Antioch | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Arabia | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Ashmont | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Campbells Crossroad | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Duffies | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Edinburgh | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Gaineys Place | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Gold Hill | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Hickory Grove | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Hillcrest | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Inverness | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Johnsons Mill | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| McCain | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| McFarland | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Montrose | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Sandy Grove | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Saunders | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
| Timberland | Unincorp. | — | 28376 |
Raeford is the only incorporated municipality in Hoke County; every other place on the list is either a census-designated place with no local government or an unincorporated crossroads community. All fall within the single county-wide 28376 postal delivery area.
ZIP Codes
- 28376 — Raeford (serves the entire county, including every CDP and unincorporated community listed above)
Hoke County is unusual among North Carolina counties in having only one ZIP code for its entire area; none of the smaller communities has its own separate postal code.
Geography
Hoke County sits in the Sandhills region of south-central North Carolina, a belt of sandy, rolling terrain shaped by ancient shoreline deposits and longleaf-pine forest. The Lumber River and Rockfish Creek both drain parts of the county. Land makes up 390.15 of the county’s 391.68 square miles, with the remainder in creeks and small ponds. The county borders Moore County to the northwest, Cumberland County to the northeast, Robeson County to the southeast, Scotland County to the south, and Richmond County to the west.
Demographics
Hoke County had 52,082 residents at the 2020 census, a density of about 133 people per square mile. Raeford is the county’s only incorporated city and its largest single community. Median household income in Hoke County runs below the North Carolina median of $70,804, reflecting the county’s rural, military-adjacent economy.
Economy & Local Life
Hoke County’s economy has historically rested on lumber, tobacco, and general agriculture. Poultry production and processing grew sharply after World War II and remains one of the county’s largest employers today, alongside logistics and warehousing tied to nearby Fayetteville. The county’s northern edge overlaps part of the Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty) military reservation, and a large share of Hoke County households include an active-duty service member, veteran, or someone employed on post. Raeford’s small downtown carries a mix of local retail, county government offices, and churches that anchor community life outside the base’s influence.
History
Hoke County was formed on April 1, 1911, from parts of Cumberland and Robeson counties, making it one of North Carolina’s newer counties. It was named for Robert F. Hoke, a Confederate major general from North Carolina. Raeford, the county seat, grew up around a 19th-century mill and trading post before the county’s creation, and its downtown historic district still reflects that early-20th-century commercial layout. The county’s growth since the mid-20th century has tracked closely with the expansion of neighboring Fort Bragg, which draws military and civilian families to Hoke County’s more affordable, rural housing stock just outside the base’s gates.
Getting There
US Highways 15, 401, and 501 all cross Hoke County, linking Raeford to the surrounding region.
- Fayetteville — 20 miles northeast
- Southern Pines — 20 miles northwest
- Laurinburg — 20 miles south
- Lumberton — 25 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is Fayetteville Regional Airport, roughly 25 miles northeast of Raeford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hoke County?
Hoke County is in south-central North Carolina, in the Sandhills region, bordering Fort Bragg to the north.
What is the population of Hoke County?
Hoke County had a population of 52,082 at the 2020 census.
How big is Hoke County?
Hoke County covers 391.68 square miles (1,014.4 km2), of which 390.15 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Hoke County?
Raeford is the county seat.
How many towns are in Hoke County?
Hoke County has one incorporated city (Raeford), six census-designated places, and about 18 unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hoke County?
Hoke County has a single ZIP code, 28376, centered on Raeford.
Is Fort Bragg in Hoke County?
Part of the Fort Bragg (Fort Liberty) military reservation extends into northern Hoke County, though most of the base lies in neighboring Cumberland County.
When was Hoke County formed?
Hoke County was established on April 1, 1911, from portions of Cumberland and Robeson counties.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Carolina.