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CITY · 2020 ACS

Roanoke Rapids

North Carolina · 15,229 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 $38,500. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $107,400. The poverty rate of 25.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 32% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
15,229
−10%since 2000
from 16,957 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,536 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 1,711 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.1
+12%since 2000
from 36.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K15K16K17K17K1990201020202024Roanoke Rapids
202415K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$38,500
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,745 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,820
+43%since 2000
from $15,972 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.7%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10%
Information10.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Other services1.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$107,400
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$680
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $409 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.1%
−9.3 ptssince 2000
from 59.4% in 2000
49.9% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+10%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic56.4%(8,585)
Black34.5%(5,254)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(576)
Asian1.5%(227)
Other5.6%(849)
Diversity Score71.7%(10,912)
Diversity Score
72
+39%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.2 min
+59%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.8%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 61.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.6%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
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
3.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.1%
−75.3 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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ROANOKE RAPIDS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has about 15,229 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina earns about $38,500 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 $107,400, and the typical rent is about $680 a month.

How educated are people in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?

About 20.3% 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 25.0% 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 493 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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