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CITY

Raeford

North Carolina · 4,703 residents (2025 est.) · 4.284 sq mi
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The short version

Raeford has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,494. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $201,800. The poverty rate of 20.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 47%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,552
+34%since 2000
from 3,386 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,063 / sq mi
+13%since 2009
from 937 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
37.0
−10%since 2000
from 40.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,703 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Raeford
20245K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 57%(320)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 98%(362)
US avg: 6%
10 to 147.3%(331)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 194.1%(187)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 246.5%(298)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3413.2%(600)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4412.2%(556)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5410%(456)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6410.4%(473)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7413.2%(603)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 844.6%(210)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over3.4%(156)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,494
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,306 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,705
+60%since 2000
from $16,093 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.3%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 20.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
20.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 22.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.478
−15%since 2010
from 0.562 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information18.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance8.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration0.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$201,800
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $75,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$833
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $459 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.1%
−9.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.1% in 2000
42.9% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.2%
−20.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.3%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 72.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+1%since 2009
from 4.3 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
52
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Raeford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic50.6%(1,712)
Black40.7%(1,379)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(141)
Asian0.9%(32)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic40.7%(1,854)
Black39.4%(1,795)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(282)
Asian0.9%(42)
Other12.7%(579)
Diversity Score
82
+2%since 2009
from 81 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican3%(137)
Puerto Rican2.4%(109)
Honduran0.3%(14)
Cuban0.3%(12)
Asian origin
Chinese0.9%(42)
Ancestry
English9.4%(427)
German4.9%(221)
Irish4.9%(221)
American4.5%(206)
Italian2.8%(127)
Scotch-Irish1.1%(51)
Polish0.9%(43)
West Indian0.7%(33)
Turkish0.7%(31)
Scottish0.5%(24)
+ 3 more ancestry groups with data
Dutch0.5%(21)
French0.4%(19)
Welsh0.4%(16)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest American population · Largest Mexican population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.6%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.8%
+20.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+56%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.7%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.7%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 9.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.3%
−12.0 ptssince 2011
from 63.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
24.3%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.7%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
−4.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
53.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
15.5%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.6%
+11.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.4%
−76.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.3%
+31.0 ptssince 2017
from 55.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.4%
+2.5 ptssince 2016
from 89.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2016
from 8.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married36.8%(587)
Married48.9%(779)
Widowed4.1%(66)
Divorced10.1%(161)
Women 15+
Never married36%(701)
Married36.6%(712)
Widowed12.5%(244)
Divorced14.9%(289)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Compare Raeford to nearby cities

RAEFORD VS
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RAEFORD VS
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RAEFORD VS
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RAEFORD VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Raeford, North Carolina?

Raeford, North Carolina has about 4,552 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Raeford, North Carolina?

The typical household in Raeford, North Carolina earns about $46,494 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Raeford, North Carolina expensive?

In Raeford, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $201,800, and the typical rent is about $833 a month.

How educated are people in Raeford, North Carolina?

About 23.6% of adults age 25 and over in Raeford, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Raeford, North Carolina?

About 20.7% of people in Raeford, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Raeford, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Raeford, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,158 residents, a change of about 34 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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