Rockingham, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockingham, North Carolina had a total population of 8,967, the 108th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $37,224, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Rockingham Quick Facts
How 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 | 9,094 | 8,967 | -1.4% |
| Median household income | $36,695 | $37,224 | +1.4% |
| Median home value | $133,900 | $150,800 | +12.6% |
How 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rockingham Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richmond County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet | 5,961 | $41,590 | 21.6% | $112,600 |
| East Rockingham | 2,779 | $34,355 | 31.0% | $111,800 |
| 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 Rockingham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 8,914 | $43,054 | $196,200 | 19.2% | 28.3% |
| Roxboro | 8,182 | $36,553 | $157,700 | 14.1% | 33.3% |
| Washington | 9,726 | $40,186 | $206,800 | 24.0% | 23.1% |
| Cullowhee | 7,973 | $35,929 | $382,300 | 38.3% | 45.8% |
| Dunn | 8,559 | $46,830 | $193,900 | 20.9% | 19.7% |
Population Overview
Rockingham is a small city located in North Carolina, within Richmond County. The total population is 8,967. It ranks as the 108th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockingham is 39.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockingham is $37,224. This is 49% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.6%. This is 134% 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 11.3%. This is 140% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $150,800. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockingham is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.9% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 83.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for 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.
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 Rockingham, North Carolina?
Rockingham, North Carolina has a population of 8,967 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockingham, NC?
The median household income in Rockingham is $37,224, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockingham, NC?
The poverty rate in Rockingham is 30.6%. This means approximately 2,687 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockingham, North Carolina?
Rockingham's population is 52.1% White, 33.9% Black, 9.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockingham, NC?
The median home value in Rockingham is $150,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Rockingham, North Carolina?
19.7% of adults (25+) in Rockingham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.