Rockfish, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockfish, North Carolina had a total population of 3,574, the 230th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $64,476, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rockfish Quick Facts
How Rockfish 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 | 3,807 | 3,574 | -6.1% |
| Median household income | $63,046 | $64,476 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $191,000 | $199,900 | +4.7% |
How Rockfish 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+)
Rockfish Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Hoke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raeford | 4,552 | $46,494 | 20.7% | $201,800 |
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | 21.7% | $344,100 |
| Silver City | 592 | $20,893 | 37.2% | $97,300 |
| Ashley Heights | 282 | $60,375 | 20.2% | $94,500 |
| Bowmore | 88 | N/A | 38.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Rockfish
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome | 3,521 | $63,353 | $200,800 | 17.1% | 9.3% |
| Glen Raven | 3,506 | $63,173 | $224,000 | 17.6% | 16.7% |
| Lake Park | 3,431 | $66,411 | $334,500 | 41.4% | 8.0% |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | $223,000 | 22.4% | 13.7% |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | $288,400 | 35.0% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Rockfish is a small community located in North Carolina, within Hoke County. The total population is 3,574. It ranks as the 230th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockfish is 33.6 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 29.0% of the population under 18, Rockfish has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockfish is $64,476. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $199,900. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockfish is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
23.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockfish, 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 Rockfish, North Carolina?
Rockfish, North Carolina has a population of 3,574 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockfish, NC?
The median household income in Rockfish is $64,476, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockfish, NC?
The poverty rate in Rockfish is 15.2%. This means approximately 542 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockfish, North Carolina?
Rockfish's population is 55.9% White, 17.9% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockfish, NC?
The median home value in Rockfish is $199,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Rockfish, North Carolina?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Rockfish hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.