East Rockingham, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Rockingham, North Carolina had a total population of 2,779, the 273rd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,355, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
East Rockingham Quick Facts
How East Rockingham Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,177 | 2,779 | -12.5% |
| Median household income | $33,206 | $34,355 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $102,700 | $111,800 | +8.9% |
How East Rockingham Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
East Rockingham Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richmond County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham | 8,967 | $37,224 | 30.6% | $150,800 |
| Hamlet | 5,961 | $41,590 | 21.6% | $112,600 |
| Cordova | 1,372 | $60,952 | 46.7% | $155,000 |
| Ellerbe | 1,036 | $34,808 | 28.4% | $78,000 |
| Hoffman | 821 | N/A | 58.2% | $72,900 |
| Dobbins Heights | 560 | $18,958 | 50.0% | $56,000 |
| Roberdel | 279 | $85,380 | 8.2% | $110,900 |
| Norman | 89 | N/A | 58.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to East Rockingham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | $111,000 | 9.6% | 37.8% |
| Jonesville | 2,860 | $29,837 | $102,900 | 7.2% | 18.7% |
| Liberty | 2,682 | $39,663 | $194,500 | 9.2% | 16.6% |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | $96,400 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | $152,700 | 14.7% | 32.7% |
Population Overview
East Rockingham is a small community located in North Carolina, within Richmond County. The total population is 2,779. It ranks as the 273rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Rockingham is 36.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 30.6% of the population under 18, East Rockingham has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Rockingham is $34,355. This is 53% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.0%. This is 138% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $111,800. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Rockingham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.3%.
Education
7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 75.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Rockingham, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of East Rockingham, North Carolina?
East Rockingham, North Carolina has a population of 2,779 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Rockingham, NC?
The median household income in East Rockingham is $34,355, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Rockingham, NC?
The poverty rate in East Rockingham is 31.0%. This means approximately 858 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Rockingham, North Carolina?
East Rockingham's population is 65.0% White, 20.3% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Rockingham, NC?
The median home value in East Rockingham is $111,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is East Rockingham, North Carolina?
7.0% of adults (25+) in East Rockingham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.