Rocky Mount, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rocky Mount, North Carolina had a total population of 54,297, the 20th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $55,534, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rocky Mount Quick Facts
How Rocky Mount 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 | 54,175 | 54,297 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $52,927 | $55,534 | +4.9% |
| Median home value | $148,300 | $165,700 | +11.7% |
How Rocky Mount 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rocky Mount Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Nash County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | 16.9% | $205,300 |
| Red Oak | 3,405 | $90,214 | 2.2% | $271,800 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | 19.3% | $121,900 |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | 11.1% | $161,000 |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | 33.7% | $109,300 |
| Dortches | 1,158 | $74,500 | 9.4% | $247,600 |
| Middlesex | 867 | $48,281 | 12.7% | $216,900 |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | 10.5% | $148,300 |
| Bailey | 422 | $60,208 | 17.8% | $155,700 |
| Momeyer | 398 | $65,278 | 30.4% | $98,800 |
Cities Similar to Rocky Mount
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 29.6% | 16.4% |
| Wilson | 48,370 | $52,485 | $210,700 | 24.5% | 23.0% |
| Kannapolis | 57,890 | $73,836 | $276,400 | 29.7% | 12.6% |
| Mooresville | 52,381 | $89,647 | $390,900 | 45.5% | 7.3% |
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | $278,400 | 37.0% | 17.1% |
Population Overview
Rocky Mount is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Nash County. The total population is 54,297. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rocky Mount is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $55,534. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $165,700. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 49.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rocky Mount is Black or African American, making up 62.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.0%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (62.4% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
22.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rocky Mount, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rocky Mount, North Carolina?
Rocky Mount, North Carolina has a population of 54,297 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $55,534, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rocky Mount, NC?
The poverty rate in Rocky Mount is 19.7%. This means approximately 10,490 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rocky Mount, North Carolina?
Rocky Mount's population is 26.0% White, 62.4% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $165,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Rocky Mount, North Carolina?
22.9% of adults (25+) in Rocky Mount hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.