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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Roanoke Rapids

North Carolina · 16,957 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 $28,745. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $72,600. Households here earn about 27% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 36.8
US median: 35.2
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,957
+8%since 1990
from 15,722 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,711 / sq mi
+8%since 1990
from 1,586 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
36.8
+6%since 1990
from 34.6 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K17K1990201020202024Roanoke Rapids
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,745
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,276 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,972
+36%since 1990
from $11,736 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
18.8%
+0.1 ptssince 1990
from 18.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$72,600
+13%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $48,600 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$409
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $317 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
59.4%
−2.9 ptssince 1990
from 62.3% in 1990
40.6% rent
Afford Score
2.5
+16%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Roanoke Rapids on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic82.1%(12,905)
Black17.3%(2,718)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(126)
Asian0.4%(63)
Diversity Score38.4%(6,042)
2000
White, non-Hispanic71.6%(12,135)
Black24.8%(4,203)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(179)
Asian1.4%(238)
Diversity Score51.5%(8,737)
Diversity Score
52
+34%since 1990
from 38 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.0%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 11.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
75.2%
+9.5 ptssince 1990
from 65.6% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 3.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.3 min
+2%since 1990
from 13.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Roanoke Rapids to nearby cities

ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
Rocky Mount
Income$55,534+93%
Home value$165,700+128%
Population55,120+283%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796+73%
Home value$185,500+156%
Population10,979−24%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
Franklin
Income$63,245+120%
Home value$256,600+253%
Population8,478−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
Henderson
Income$39,969+39%
Home value$123,800+71%
Population15,013+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has about 16,957 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina earns about $28,745 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 $72,600, and the typical rent is about $409 a month.

How educated are people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

About 15.0% 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 18.8% 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 grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,235 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

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