CensusEasy
CITY

Roper

North Carolina · 471 residents (2025 est.) · 0.856 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Roper has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $22,819. Population has fallen 37% since 2000, a loss of 229 residents. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $71,400. With a median age of 61.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 28%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
384
−37%since 2000
from 613 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
449 / sq mi
−37%since 2000
from 716 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
61.5
+64%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:471 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3444645857068261990201020202024Roper
2024384
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$22,819
−39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $20,694 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,875
+8%since 2000
from $14,736 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
1.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.1%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 27.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.369
−14%since 2010
from 0.428 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services12.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration12.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$71,400
−28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$643
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $355 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.5%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
42.5% rent
Vacancy rate
33.4%
+23.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.9%
−22.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
88.9%
+25.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.1
+20%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
22
RELATED:See current rent listings in Roper on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic19.7%(121)
Black74.7%(458)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(31)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score49.3%(302)
2024
White, non-Hispanic10.2%(39)
Black80.7%(310)
Hispanic / Latino6.8%(26)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.3%(9)
Diversity Score41.6%(160)
Diversity Score
42
−16%since 2000
from 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.0%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
66.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 64.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.4 min
+7%since 2000
from 25.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
33.8%
−11.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
35.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
15.5%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.8%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−13.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
32.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
35.5%
+7.2 ptssince 2011
from 28.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
33.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 33.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
18.3%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 58.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
−39.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
34.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2012
from 31.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.2%
−65.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
52.4%
+23.3 ptssince 2017
from 29.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.7% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Roper

Ambrose
Pop 347
Lemon Grove
Pop 547
Jennings
Pop 766
Southport
Pop 873
Places similar to Roper
Head to head

Compare Roper to nearby cities

ROPER VS
Washington
Income$40,186+76%
Home value$206,800+190%
Population9,910+2004%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROPER VS
Elizabeth City
Income$52,141+128%
Home value$187,700+163%
Population19,622+4066%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROPER VS
Greenville
Income$49,748+118%
Home value$233,500+227%
Population96,443+20376%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROPER VS
Winterville
Income$83,193+265%
Home value$245,100+243%
Population10,973+2230%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Roper, North Carolina?

Roper, North Carolina has about 384 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Roper, North Carolina?

The typical household in Roper, North Carolina earns about $22,819 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Roper, North Carolina expensive?

In Roper, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $71,400, and the typical rent is about $643 a month.

How educated are people in Roper, North Carolina?

About 9.0% of adults age 25 and over in Roper, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Roper, North Carolina?

About 34.1% of people in Roper, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Roper, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Roper, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 266 residents, a change of about -41 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Roper with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →