Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina had a total population of 14,856, the 73rd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $53,690, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
Roanoke Rapids Quick Facts
How Roanoke Rapids 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 | 15,024 | 14,856 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $53,981 | $53,690 | -0.5% |
| Median home value | $129,400 | $142,700 | +10.3% |
How Roanoke Rapids 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Roanoke Rapids Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Halifax County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Rosemary | 2,475 | $47,466 | 19.8% | $86,800 |
| Enfield | 2,153 | $34,830 | 20.7% | $105,300 |
| Scotland Neck | 2,006 | $19,083 | 44.8% | $73,000 |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | 17.5% | $100,500 |
| Hollister | 819 | $55,938 | 15.9% | $158,400 |
| Littleton | 549 | $42,083 | 23.9% | $108,700 |
| South Weldon | 500 | $18,430 | 66.0% | $66,500 |
| Halifax | 294 | $63,686 | 11.6% | N/A |
| Hobgood | 207 | $78,250 | 2.9% | $73,500 |
Cities Similar to Roanoke Rapids
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | $317,000 | 38.1% | 14.5% |
| Eden | 15,356 | $47,260 | $120,700 | 11.9% | 19.2% |
| Reidsville | 14,585 | $42,921 | $138,800 | 21.9% | 21.1% |
| Laurinburg | 15,087 | $42,170 | $134,200 | 20.1% | 31.1% |
| Henderson | 14,885 | $39,969 | $123,800 | 15.4% | 27.3% |
Population Overview
Roanoke Rapids is a small city located in North Carolina, within Halifax County. The total population is 14,856. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Roanoke Rapids is 40.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,690. This is 26% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $142,700. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Roanoke Rapids 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 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Roanoke Rapids is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.0% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
22.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Roanoke Rapids, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has a population of 14,856 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Roanoke Rapids, NC?
The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,690, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Roanoke Rapids, NC?
The poverty rate in Roanoke Rapids is 18.4%. This means approximately 2,713 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?
Roanoke Rapids's population is 50.1% White, 37.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Roanoke Rapids, NC?
The median home value in Roanoke Rapids is $142,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina?
22.0% of adults (25+) in Roanoke Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.