COMMUNITY PROFILES / HOKE COUNTY-RAEFORD
County Offices
227 N. Main Street
Raeford 910-875-8751
www.hokecounty.org
Chamber of Commerce
101 Main Street
Raeford 910-875-5929
www.facebook.com/Raeford-Hoke-Chamber-of-Commerce-181181021915378/
Services
Nestled in the heart of the Carolina Sandhills, beautiful Hoke County is ideally located just 20 miles from the golfing destination of Pinehurst and 20 miles from Fayetteville. Part of the expansive complex that makes up Fort Bragg borders the county. Students of all ages receive a quality education in public and private institutions that are located within the county or close to home. The Hoke County School District serves more than 6,000 students, providing a quality education on primary and secondary levels.
Hoke County offers a satellite location for Sandhills Community College in the leading town of Raeford. Students can take advantage of educational services and programs, including college credit and non-credit learning opportunities. Cosmetology, criminal justice, early childhood, nursing assistant, and law enforcement are among the career and vocational possibilities. The college also awards college-track associate degrees for transfer to a four-year college or university. Fayetteville Technical College, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Fayetteville State University, Methodist College, and St. Andrews Presbyterian College are all within an easy commute from Hoke County.
Local medical facilities like the Hoke Family Medical Center and Raeford Children’s Clinic are available to meet routine needs, while regional hospitals are close to home for acute care or advanced treatment. Major hospitals and medical centers that are located within a reasonable commute from Hoke County include those in Fayetteville and Pinehurst. The 755-bed Cape Fear Valley Health System is a regional healthcare leader with a comprehensive network of facilities. Within the system are full-service hospitals, a cancer treatment center, open heart surgery unit, a birthing center, occupational healthcare, rehabilitation, a behavioral health center, and extensive community outreach programs and wellness resources.
Lifestyle
Those who appreciate the pleasures and slower pace of rural life and the intimacy of a small town may find the ideal home in Hoke County. From the county seat and leading community of Raeford, which is strategically located in the center of the county, to the rolling countryside, this area offers a serene retreat from urban bustle. The only time that crowds will be an issue in Hoke County is the day that 50,000 visitors descend on Raeford for the wildly popular North Carolina Turkey Festival. For nearly a quarter of a century, the festival that honors one of North Carolina’s most important industries has grown into a major attraction brimming over with lively entertainment, arts and crafts, and great food.
Those who call Hoke County home are only 75 miles from the North Carolina state capital of Raleigh and 116 miles from Wilmington — and some of the East Coast’s most beautiful and popular beaches. Just minutes from home, the Pinehurst Resort is well for hosting the U.S. Open. Eight celebrated golf courses combine with family recreational activities, tennis vacations, and elegant amenities including a luxurious spa. Surrounded by rustling pines, this unique resort claims a rich history that dates back to 1898 and hosts more championships than any other golf course in the nation.
However, residents can enjoy tennis and golf at McLauchlin Park in the heart of Raeford. The county recreation department provides a wide range of year-round organized sports for adults and youngsters as well as many community and senior activities. The focal point of social life and entertainment in Hoke County is the Raeford Civic Center. The county’s cooperative extension and 4-H offices expand the opportunities for adventure and activity through arts and crafts, cooking, camps, and educational workshops for all ages.
Social, civic, and hobby clubs and groups add to the quality of life and give newcomers an opportunity to become immediately involved. Hoke County is the home of the renowned “Golden Knights” US Army Parachute Team that offers private jump lessons for all skill levels. Organizations like the Hoke County Hunt Club, Bass Club, and Radio Controlled Flyers Club are reflections of the excellent opportunities for relaxation and recreation in this rural environment. Traveling the countryside never fails to surprise and delight in Hoke County, where more than 100 historical sites complement the displays and exhibits at the Raeford-Hoke Museum in the McLauchlin-McFadyen House. From picturesque fields to small-town charm, Hoke County offers a comfortable rural home that remains convenient to first-rate urban amenities.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Raeford
Municipal Offices
910-875-8161
www.raefordcity.org
Chamber of Commerce
910-875-5929
www.facebook.com/Raeford-Hoke-Chamber-of-Commerce-181181021915378/
The county seat and leading town in Hoke County is almost synonymous with the county name. Raeford is centrally located in the county, with convenient highways radiating from it like spokes from a wheel. Medical offices, schools, churches, a county library, a fine museum, local businesses and industry, parks and recreational facilities, and tranquil neighborhoods are all part of this small but highly balanced community. Because Raeford serves as the hub for the surrounding rural and agricultural areas, newcomers will find a lively community spirit and a progressive attitude toward quality growth and development. Recreational opportunities close to home include world-class golfing at Pinehurst, regional lakes, and North Carolina’s white-sand beaches.
