CountyScore

Hoke County

North Carolina · NC

#50 in North Carolina
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Hoke County, North Carolina

Solid livability outperforming nation

Hoke County scores 70.4, roughly 40 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties. The score reflects consistent strength across available measured dimensions.

Slightly below North Carolina average

Hoke's score of 70.4 sits below the state average of 72.7, positioning it in the middle range among North Carolina counties. The county remains a solid option within the state's landscape.

Low taxes with reasonable housing costs

Hoke scores 82.8 on taxes with an effective rate of 0.692%, the second-lowest in this group. The cost score of 73.0 reflects a median home value of $196,000 and rent of $1,047, providing moderate affordability.

Income growth potential moderate at best

The income score of 22.6 reflects a median household income of $60,095, which trails state and national averages. Data remains unavailable for safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions.

Good fit for cost-conscious households

Hoke works well for families and retirees prioritizing tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs over maximum earning potential. The county offers steady fundamentals without premium market prices.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.8Cost73SafetyComing SoonHealth63.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk49.9WaterComing Soon
🏛82.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Hoke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Hoke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hoke County

via TaxByCounty

Hoke taxes slightly below national norm

Hoke County's 0.692% effective rate sits just below the national median of 0.703%, placing it near the 45th percentile nationally. At $1,357 annually on a median home worth $196,000, Hoke residents enjoy moderate tax treatment compared to the US average.

Hoke slightly favors NC homeowners

Hoke's 0.692% effective rate trails the state average of 0.701%, positioning the county in the lower half of North Carolina's 100 counties by tax burden. The county offers slightly better-than-average tax positioning statewide.

Hoke balanced within Piedmont region

Hoke's 0.692% rate sits between lower-burden Harnett (0.744%) and higher-burden Guilford (0.883%), and well below eastern counties like Halifax and Hertford. The Piedmont shows more consistent tax rates than the stark regional divide between mountain and eastern areas.

Typical Hoke County tax payment

On the median home valued at $196,000, Hoke residents pay approximately $1,357 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow included, the amount typically rises to about $1,527.

Assessment appeals work in any county

Even in moderate-rate counties, individual properties can be overvalued relative to the market, especially if homes haven't sold recently. Hoke homeowners should compare their assessed value to recent arm's-length sales of similar properties and appeal if a gap exists.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hoke County

via CostByCounty

Hoke renters highest-burdened in group

Hoke County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in our eight-county analysis, with renters paying $1,047/month against median household income of just $60,095. This is well into affordability crisis territory.

Among NC's most strained counties

Hoke's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks well above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, placing the county among the state's least affordable. Median household income lags behind most comparison counties despite regional rent competition.

Highest burden despite moderate rents

Hoke's $1,047 rent is mid-range among comparison counties, but the lowest median income ($60,095) creates the worst ratio. The county represents a cautionary tale: moderate housing costs can still overwhelm limited incomes.

Renters and owners equally squeezed

Renters pay $1,047/month while homeowners face $1,076/month in costs—both consuming over 20% of income. Median home value of $196,000 offers reasonable entry, but financing remains difficult for households stretched thin on rent.

Hoke: relocation risk without income boost

Hoke County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio is the state's worst—avoid relocating here unless you're bringing significantly higher income than the county median. Without remote work or professional employment, you'll inherit the same affordability crisis facing current residents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hoke County

via IncomeByCounty

Hoke trails nation by $14,600

Hoke County's median household income of $60,095 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by roughly $14,600, positioning it in the lower-middle tier of American counties. The county earns slightly below state average, reflecting a rural economy with limited access to major metropolitan wage centers.

Hoke slightly below state average

At $60,095, Hoke County's median household income trails North Carolina's state average of $61,072 by just under $1,000, placing it near the state median. The county's per capita income of $29,575 falls below the state average of $33,920, suggesting concentration of earnings among fewer households.

Hoke mid-tier among peer counties

Hoke's $60,095 median household income ranks below Harnett ($69,012) and Henderson ($67,623) but slightly above Haywood ($61,001) and rivals Guilford. The county represents a typical small rural economy with modest earning capacity, neither among the strongest nor most challenged in the region.

Rent at upper limit, homes modestly priced

At 20.9% of income, Hoke's rent-to-income ratio approaches the threshold of affordability strain, leaving tight household budgets after rent is paid. The median home value of $196,000 requires substantial down payment relative to median income, making homeownership a stretch for many Hoke households.

Small savings steps, long-term thinking

Hoke households should start with $500–$1,000 emergency savings, then commit to automatic contributions of $30–$75 monthly to employer retirement plans or IRAs. Over 30 years, consistent modest investing at 6–7% returns can grow to $75,000–$100,000, providing meaningful retirement security despite current modest income levels.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hoke County

via HealthByCounty

Hoke County faces health barriers

Life expectancy in Hoke County is 72.7 years, nearly 2 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Over 1 in 5 residents (20.8%) report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18%.

Hoke lags behind North Carolina

At 72.7 years, Hoke's life expectancy falls nearly 2 years short of North Carolina's 74.4-year state average. The county ranks among the state's more challenged communities on health outcomes.

Acute provider shortage

Hoke has just 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the region. Mental health providers number 204 per 100,000, also below average, limiting residents' care options.

11.2% of Hoke residents uninsured

Combined with severe provider shortages, Hoke's 11.2% uninsured rate leaves residents with few local options. Many residents must travel long distances for basic healthcare.

Get coverage and care access

Enroll in a health plan at nchealthplans.gov or call 1-855-408-1010 for free help. Coverage opens doors to care outside your county when local options are limited.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hoke County

via RiskByCounty

Hoke County shows lowest regional risk

Hoke's composite risk score of 50.13 is well below the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating and positioning it among America's safer counties. Residents face significantly reduced natural disaster exposure compared to national norms.

Among North Carolina's lowest-risk counties

At 50.13, Hoke ranks in the bottom quarter of North Carolina's 100 counties, substantially below the state average of 66.72. This Sandhills location provides meaningful protection against most major hazard types.

Safest county in its immediate area

Hoke (50.13) significantly outperforms neighbors Robeson (higher risk) and Cumberland, making it a notably safer location in the southern Piedmont. Even compared to larger regions, Hoke maintains one of the state's lower risk profiles.

Wildfire and hurricane pose main threats

Hoke's wildfire risk (80.18) is elevated relative to its low composite score, reflecting Sandhills forest vulnerability during dry periods. Hurricane risk (83.98) ranks second, while flood, tornado, and earthquake risks remain comparatively modest.

Wildfire preparation matters most here

With wildfire risk at 80.18, maintain defensible space around your home and ensure your policy covers fire damage from wildfires. Standard homeowners coverage typically includes structure fire, but verify your specific wildfire protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.