Roper, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Roper, North Carolina had a total population of 384, the 637th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $22,819, which is 68% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 68% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 35.4% is notably above the national average.
Roper Quick Facts
How Roper 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 | 586 | 384 | -34.5% |
| Median household income | $19,155 | $22,819 | +19.1% |
| Median home value | $72,100 | $71,400 | -1.0% |
How Roper 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+)
Roper Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
Cities Similar to Roper
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | $131,300 | 7.3% | 19.0% |
| Turkey | 391 | N/A | $52,100 | 3.1% | 5.4% |
| Bell Arthur | 374 | N/A | $159,400 | 65.4% | 13.0% |
| Arapahoe | 397 | N/A | $163,500 | 11.5% | 18.5% |
| Crouse | 408 | N/A | $212,300 | 10.6% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 384, Roper'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
Roper is a small community located in North Carolina, within Washington County. The total population is 384. It ranks as the 637th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Roper is 61.5 years. This is 57% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 26.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Roper is $22,819. This is 68% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 72% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.1%. This is 161% 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 35.4%. This is 651% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $71,400. Housing costs are 75% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Roper is Black or African American, making up 80.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 10.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.2%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (80.7% vs 20.0%).
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 66.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Roper, 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 Roper, North Carolina?
Roper, North Carolina has a population of 384 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Roper, NC?
The median household income in Roper is $22,819, which is 72% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Roper, NC?
The poverty rate in Roper is 34.1%. This means approximately 123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Roper, North Carolina?
Roper's population is 10.2% White, 80.7% Black, 6.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Roper, NC?
The median home value in Roper is $71,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Roper, North Carolina?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Roper hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.