Rocky Mount city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Rocky Mount city is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina. The total population is 54,175. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Rocky Mount city is 41.8 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Rocky Mount city is $52,927. This is 24% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 61% 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 8.1%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $148,300. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Rocky Mount city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Rocky Mount city is Black or African American, making up 62.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (27.8%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.7% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 86.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Rocky Mount 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.