Hoke County
From horse racing to indoor sky-diving, Hoke County offers residents and visitors a chance to experience big-city attractions in a small-town atmosphere.
The county lies east of Fayetteville and borders Fort Bragg, making it a popular residential pick for military families, who also tend to favor the county’s low property taxes, plentiful housing and rural living.
Because of this, the county once known for growing cotton and tobacco is now recognized throughout the state for it’s population growth.
Between 2000 and 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the county population grew more than 34 percent, nearly double the state average.
But with a population of about 46,000, the county still maintains a country charm, full of farming families who’ve lived there for generations.
For visitors, the county has several attractions, including Paraclete XP Skyventure, an indoor sky-diving facility, and the Carolina Horse Park, which features the popular Stoneybrook Steeplechase in April, as well as year-round equestrian events with professional riders from all over the world competing.
The county also celebrates the annual North Carolina Turkey Festival for a full week in September to honor it’s poultry processing heritage.
In 2011, there should be even more fun when the county celebrates it’s centennial anniversary. The majority of the festivities will take place in March and April with a four-day carnival and other events that commemorate the county’s founding.