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CITY · 2020 ACS

Rocky Mount

North Carolina · 54,341 residents · 44.683 sq mi
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The short version

Rocky Mount has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,691. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $109,700.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 15%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
54,341
−3%since 2000
from 55,893 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,216 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 1,251 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.3
+17%since 2000
from 35.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
48K51K54K57K60K1990201020202024Rocky Mount
202454K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,691
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,661 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,544
+38%since 2000
from $17,804 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.0%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.7%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 10%
Information11.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,700
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$782
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
48.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
51.5% rent
Afford Score
2.6
−2%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rocky Mount on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic40.3%(22,548)
Black55.8%(31,175)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(1,033)
Asian0.7%(375)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.1%(35,812)
2020
White, non-Hispanic26.6%(14,470)
Black63.4%(34,426)
Hispanic / Latino4.9%(2,672)
Asian1.4%(757)
Other2.1%(1,138)
Diversity Score63.6%(34,572)
Diversity Score
64
−1%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.2%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+76%since 2000
from 12.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 81.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.6%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.1%
−5.0 ptssince 2011
from 14.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.1%
−3.8 ptssince 2011
from 60.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.3%
−33.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.9% in 2009
Female
54.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.1% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.0%
−73.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rocky Mount to nearby cities

ROCKY MOUNT VS
Tarboro
Income$49,796+17%
Home value$185,500+69%
Population10,979−80%
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ROCKY MOUNT VS
Wilson
Income$52,485+23%
Home value$210,700+92%
Population49,572−10%
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ROCKY MOUNT VS
Zebulon
Income$79,112+85%
Home value$320,700+192%
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ROCKY MOUNT VS
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Income$53,690+26%
Home value$142,700+30%
Population14,386−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rocky Mount, North Carolina?

Rocky Mount, North Carolina has about 54,341 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rocky Mount, North Carolina?

The typical household in Rocky Mount, North Carolina earns about $42,691 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rocky Mount, North Carolina expensive?

In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $109,700, and the typical rent is about $782 a month.

How educated are people in Rocky Mount, North Carolina?

About 21.1% of adults age 25 and over in Rocky Mount, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rocky Mount, North Carolina?

About 19.7% of people in Rocky Mount, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rocky Mount, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Rocky Mount, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,176 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

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