Rockingham city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rockingham city, North Carolina has a total population of 9,094, the 104th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $36,695, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.1% is notably above the national average.
Rockingham city Quick Facts
How Rockingham city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rockingham city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Rockingham city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington city | 9,754 | $41,723 | $193,800 | 22.7% | 19.7% |
| Roxboro city | 8,144 | $39,283 | $138,700 | 20.7% | 33.7% |
| Oxford city | 8,897 | $48,135 | $177,200 | 20.7% | 25.3% |
| Clinton city | 8,336 | $42,344 | $185,600 | 22.1% | 23.6% |
| Dunn city | 8,512 | $47,310 | $178,900 | 21.3% | 18.6% |
Population Overview
Rockingham city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 9,094. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockingham city is 35.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockingham city is $36,695. This is 48% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 33.8%. This is 157% 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 9.1%. This is 89% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $133,900. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 57.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockingham city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.4% vs 20.3%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
19.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 Rockingham 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rockingham city, North Carolina?
Rockingham city, North Carolina has a population of 9,094 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockingham city, NC?
The median household income in Rockingham city is $36,695, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rockingham city, NC?
The poverty rate in Rockingham city is 33.8%. This means approximately 3,004 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockingham city, North Carolina?
Rockingham city's population is 52.4% White, 36.4% Black, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockingham city, NC?
The median home value in Rockingham city is $133,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Rockingham city, North Carolina?
19.4% of adults (25+) in Rockingham city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.