Farms and land in Hoke County draw extra attention from investors, business owners, developers and home buyers due to its rural location, low wages and access to a skilled labor force. Located in the Coastal Plain, land in Hoke County is bordered by Cumberland, Robeson, Scotland, Moore and Harnett counties. The 392-square-mile county is home to 55,234 residents including Native Americans from the Lumbee Tribe. A large portion of Fort Bragg Army base and its supporting businesses are in the county. Manufacturing and farming are staples of the local economy. Top employers in private sector are Butterball LLC, Conopco Inc. and Burlington Industries V LLC. Farming covers 53,647 acres of which 61% is cropland and 27% remaining woodlands. Livestock and poultry are 83% of agricultural sales. Each year in Raeford, the North Carolina Turkey Festival celebrates the state’s place as one of the national leaders in turkey production. Carolina Horse Park is a 250-acre equine competition venue. Hunting on private land or on Fort Bragg often awards hunters with deer or turkeys. Lake McArthur on Fort Bragg is popular for boating, windsurfing, swimming and fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and bullhead catfish. Hoke County Schools provides K-12 public education, and Native American Bible College, Sandhills Community College and Edinborough Medical College offer higher learning.
