Roanoke Rapids city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Roanoke Rapids city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 15,024. It ranks as the 71st most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Roanoke Rapids city is 38.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Roanoke Rapids city is $53,981. This is 23% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. 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 6.1%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $129,400. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Roanoke Rapids city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Roanoke Rapids city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.3% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

21.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Roanoke Rapids city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.