| Race Prong | rises in NE Nash County and flows SE into Beaverdam Swamp. |
| Rachel | community in SW Randolph County served by post office, 1890-1926. |
| Rackley Mill Pond | See McLamb Mill Pond. |
| Radder Creek | rises in NE Cherokee County and flows NE into Worm Creek. |
| Radford Crossroads | community in E Johnston County. |
| Radical | community in N Wilkes County between Chestnut and Herald Mountains. |
| Radio Island | land mass between Morehead City and Beaufort, S Carteret County. Takes name from commercial radio station formerly operating on the island. |
| Raeford | town and county seat, central Hoke County. Settled 1867; inc. 1901. Took its name from the last syllables of two of the town's founders, J. A. MacRae and A. A. Williford. Produces textiles, lumber, concrete, rubber; processes poultry, and cotton. Alt. 262. |
| Raeford Township | central Hoke County. |
| Raft Swamp | rises in S Hoke County and flows SE into central Robeson County, where it enters Lumber River. Much Tory activity during the Revolution was centered there, and the name is frequently mentioned in records of the time. |