Raeford, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Raeford, North Carolina had a total population of 4,552, the 186th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $46,494, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Raeford Quick Facts
How Raeford Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,545 | 4,552 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $43,311 | $46,494 | +7.3% |
| Median home value | $177,900 | $201,800 | +13.4% |
How Raeford Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Raeford Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Hoke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockfish | 3,574 | $64,476 | 15.2% | $199,900 |
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | 21.7% | $344,100 |
| Silver City | 592 | $20,893 | 37.2% | $97,300 |
| Ashley Heights | 282 | $60,375 | 20.2% | $94,500 |
| Bowmore | 88 | N/A | 38.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Raeford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | $183,000 | 31.8% | 28.1% |
| Mount Olive | 4,453 | $48,700 | $153,500 | 22.8% | 17.6% |
| Erwin | 4,687 | $50,701 | $161,100 | 17.3% | 12.2% |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | 37.3% | 12.8% |
| Franklin | 4,268 | $47,888 | $195,000 | 25.6% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Raeford is a small community located in North Carolina, within Hoke County. The total population is 4,552. It ranks as the 186th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Raeford is 37.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Raeford is $46,494. This is 36% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $201,800. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Raeford is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.4% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Raeford, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Raeford, North Carolina?
Raeford, North Carolina has a population of 4,552 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Raeford, NC?
The median household income in Raeford is $46,494, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Raeford, NC?
The poverty rate in Raeford is 20.7%. This means approximately 878 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Raeford, North Carolina?
Raeford's population is 40.7% White, 39.4% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Raeford, NC?
The median home value in Raeford is $201,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Raeford, North Carolina?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Raeford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.