Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Entity File Number	0-15572
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST BANCORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NC
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-1421916
Entity Address, Address Line One	300 SW Broad St.,
Entity Address, City or Town	Southern Pines
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28387
City Area Code	(910)
Local Phone Number	246-2500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, No Par Value
Trading Symbol	FBNC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,489,474
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Central Index Key	0000811589
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false