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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Roanoke Rapids

North Carolina · 15,722 residents · 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 $22,276. Population has declined 7% since 2000. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $48,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.6
US median: 33.0
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,722
−7%vs 2000
vs 16,957 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
34.6
−6%vs 2000
vs 36.8 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K17K1990201020202024Roanoke Rapids
202415K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 57.1%(1,121)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 97.9%(1,238)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 146.9%(1,082)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 197%(1,108)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 246.1%(959)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3415.6%(2,451)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4414.9%(2,343)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 549.6%(1,510)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 649.7%(1,522)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 749.1%(1,423)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 845.2%(812)
US avg: 4%
85 and over1%(153)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$22,276
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $28,745 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,736
−27%vs 2000
vs $15,972 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
18.6%
−0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 18.8% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$48,600
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $72,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$317
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $409 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
62.3%
+2.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 59.4% in 2000
37.7% rent
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%
1990
White, non-Hispanic82.1%(12,905)
Black17.3%(2,718)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(126)
Asian0.4%(63)
Other0.2%(36)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Salvadoran2.9%(437)
Puerto Rican1.1%(168)
Mexican0.7%(105)
Cuban0.5%(77)
Peruvian0.3%(51)
Guatemalan0.2%(35)
Dominican0.1%(12)
Honduran0.1%(8)
Asian origin
Filipino0.6%(91)
Asian Indian0.2%(36)
Taiwanese0.1%(22)
Thai0.1%(20)
Pacific Islander origin
Chamorro0.4%(56)
Ancestry
English12.7%(1,886)
American7.2%(1,075)
Irish6.6%(979)
German4.3%(644)
Scottish2.2%(323)
Italian1%(146)
Kenyan0.9%(133)
Scotch-Irish0.7%(103)
Dutch0.6%(95)
Norwegian0.5%(71)
British0.5%(70)
+ 13 more ancestry groups with data
Polish0.4%(57)
Portuguese0.3%(51)
Welsh0.3%(39)
French0.2%(37)
Swedish0.2%(35)
Arab0.2%(31)
Lebanese0.2%(31)
Hungarian0.2%(28)
Swiss0.2%(26)
Nigerian0.1%(19)
Canadian0.1%(17)
Greek0.1%(11)
Belgian0%(5)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest Central American population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.8%
−3.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 15.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
65.6%
−9.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 75.2% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
3.7%
−0.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 4.4% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.0 min
−2%vs 2000
vs 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married41.2%(2,260)
Married45.8%(2,514)
Widowed3.8%(206)
Divorced9.2%(504)
Women 15+
Never married34%(2,145)
Married42.1%(2,650)
Widowed11.3%(714)
Divorced12.6%(791)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has about 15,722 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina earns about $22,276 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 $48,600, and the typical rent is about $317 a month.

How educated are people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

About 11.8% 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 18.6% of people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

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