1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hoke County household earns $64,912, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Hoke County
- Employment and commuting in Hoke County
- Income in Hoke County compared with North Carolina
- Housing costs in Hoke County
- Hoke County and the counties next door
- Hoke County towns compared
- Budget math at the Hoke County median
- Borrowing situations common in Hoke County
- People and households in Hoke County
- Who licenses lenders for Hoke County residents
- Checklist for Hoke County applicants
- More guides for Hoke County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Hoke County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hoke County's population at 53,835; only 49 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 390 square miles, that is close to 138 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Fayetteville, NC metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (1 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Raeford, with about 4,552 residents, or 8% of the county.
Employment and commuting in Hoke County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Hoke County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Public administration stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Hoke County averages 6.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are the exception here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Hoke County workers | vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.9% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.9% | -1.8 pts |
| Public administration | 9.8% | +5.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.7% | -0.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Hoke County compared with North Carolina
At $64,912, the typical Hoke County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 39 North Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Hoke County | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.0% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.4% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -3.2 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. Census counts 17.1% of Hoke County residents in poverty, against 13.0% across North Carolina. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.487 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Hoke County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Hoke County
A typical Hoke County rental runs $1,089 a month including utilities, which is 11% below North Carolina. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. Home values center on $219,300, or 3.4 years of median income. 73% of Hoke County households own their home and 27% rent. The median year built is 2000.
| Housing | Hoke County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,089/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $219,300 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.6% | 11.0% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hoke County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Hoke County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Scotland County at 18 miles out to Lee County at 32. Moore County leads the group on income ($86,080), Robeson County trails ($41,978), and Hoke County out-earns 4 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoke County | - | $64,912 | $1,089/mo | 73% |
| Scotland County, NC | 18 mi | $45,730 | $778/mo | 62% |
| Cumberland County, NC | 23 mi | $61,291 | $1,222/mo | 55% |
| Moore County, NC | 25 mi | $86,080 | $1,254/mo | 76% |
| Robeson County, NC | 27 mi | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
| Richmond County, NC | 29 mi | $44,883 | $724/mo | 66% |
| Lee County, NC | 32 mi | $65,387 | $1,017/mo | 67% |
Hoke County towns compared
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Hoke County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 10,028 people, so roughly 81% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $20,893 in Silver City to $64,476 in Rockfish. Median rent ranges from $833 in Raeford to $1,274 in Rockfish. No Hoke County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raeford | city | 4,552 | $46,494 | $833 | 3 mi |
| Rockfish | CDP | 3,574 | $64,476 | $1,274 | 10 mi |
| Five Points | CDP | 940 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Silver City | CDP | 592 | $20,893 | $1,168 | 2 mi |
| Ashley Heights | CDP | 282 | $60,375 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Bowmore | CDP | 88 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Dundarrach | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Budget math at the Hoke County median
Here is the Hoke County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Hoke County: $5,409
- Median rent: $1,089, or 20 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $2,326 total minus rent leaves $1,237
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Hoke County
What the Hoke County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Hoke County. For the 10% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 50% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
People and households in Hoke County
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Hoke County | North Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.9 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.1% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 31.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.8% |
Who licenses lenders for Hoke County residents
Hoke County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
Checklist for Hoke County applicants
Steps that save money for Hoke County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hoke County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hoke County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for North Carolina borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Hoke County
The North Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hoke County earn?
The median is $64,912; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Hoke County rent compare with North Carolina?
$1,089 locally versus $1,228 for the state, 11% below.
I live in a small Hoke County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Raeford, Rockfish, Five Points, Silver City, Ashley Heights and 2 more.
Are Hoke County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Is there a Hoke County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In North Carolina it is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks.