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CITY

Roanoke Rapids

North Carolina · 14,386 residents (2025 est.) · 9.913 sq mi
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The short version

Roanoke Rapids has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,690. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $142,700. Households here earn about 26% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
14,856
−12%since 2000
from 16,957 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,499 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,711 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
40.3
+10%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:14,386 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K17K1990201020202024Roanoke Rapids
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,690
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,745 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,053
+88%since 2000
from $15,972 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.1%
+16.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.460
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.462 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade18.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.8%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,700
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$858
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.9%
−9.5 ptssince 2000
from 59.4% in 2000
50.1% rent
Vacancy rate
10.2%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.9%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+5%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
43
RELATED:See current rent listings in Roanoke Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(12,135)
Black24.8%(4,203)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(179)
Asian1.4%(238)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.5%(8,737)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.1%(7,446)
Black37%(5,499)
Hispanic / Latino6.1%(901)
Asian1.1%(169)
Other5.7%(841)
Diversity Score75.6%(11,230)
Diversity Score
76
+47%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.0%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.6%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.8 min
+64%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.2%
−7.9 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.2%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 11.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.3%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.0%
−31.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
52.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.9%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.6%
−78.8 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.4%
+22.2 ptssince 2017
from 64.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2016
from 94.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 4.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
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ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
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ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
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Home value$123,800−13%
Population15,013+4%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has about 14,856 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

The typical household in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina earns about $53,690 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina expensive?

In Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $142,700, and the typical rent is about $858 a month.

How educated are people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

About 22.0% of adults age 25 and over in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

About 18.4% of people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 866 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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