Rodanthe, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rodanthe, North Carolina had a total population of 781, the 505th largest community in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 2.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.3% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Rodanthe Quick Facts
How Rodanthe 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 | 306 | 781 | +155.2% |
How Rodanthe 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rodanthe Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Dare County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kill Devil Hills | 7,761 | $89,773 | 9.2% | $442,200 |
| Kitty Hawk | 3,724 | $94,450 | 4.7% | $535,000 |
| Nags Head | 3,160 | $91,264 | 2.4% | $490,800 |
| Southern Shores | 3,139 | $131,429 | 0.6% | $712,300 |
| Manteo | 2,020 | $83,777 | 19.2% | $444,400 |
| Wanchese | 1,956 | $88,750 | 6.3% | $311,800 |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | 6.7% | $409,900 |
| Manns Harbor | 926 | $51,800 | 25.1% | $253,000 |
| Duck | 669 | $136,250 | 10.8% | $767,500 |
| Frisco | 664 | $43,846 | 1.1% | $439,600 |
Cities Similar to Rodanthe
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varnamtown | 782 | $54,844 | $293,800 | 14.0% | 20.0% |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | $473,600 | 54.4% | 6.5% |
| Jackson | 777 | $49,048 | N/A | 20.5% | 16.7% |
| Pikeville | 776 | $62,396 | $140,800 | 20.1% | 15.2% |
| Sedalia | 772 | $69,712 | $206,500 | 23.2% | 6.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 781, Rodanthe's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Rodanthe is a small community located in North Carolina, within Dare County. The total population is 781. It ranks as the 505th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rodanthe is 45.9 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 2.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 2.3%. This is 82% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. 44.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rodanthe has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.5% vs 60.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
28.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rodanthe, 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 Rodanthe, North Carolina?
Rodanthe, North Carolina has a population of 781 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rodanthe, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Rodanthe — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rodanthe, NC?
The poverty rate in Rodanthe is 2.3%. This means approximately 18 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rodanthe, North Carolina?
Rodanthe's population is 94.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rodanthe, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Rodanthe — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Rodanthe, North Carolina?
28.2% of adults (25+) in Rodanthe hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.