Rocky Mount, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rocky Mount, Virginia had a total population of 4,950, the 202nd largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $63,280, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 4,926 | 4,950 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $61,580 | $63,280 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $181,400 | $207,000 | +14.1% |
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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rocky Mount Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore | 3,638 | $109,951 | 10.3% | $504,400 |
| Westlake Corner | 2,033 | $95,000 | 5.8% | $499,000 |
| Ferrum | 1,774 | $40,435 | 37.1% | $188,900 |
| Union Hall | 1,445 | $103,125 | 4.4% | $694,100 |
| Penhook | 1,250 | $108,750 | 0.4% | $543,000 |
| Henry Fork | 805 | $70,150 | 2.9% | N/A |
| Boones Mill | 228 | $75,972 | 4.0% | $208,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Hill | 4,786 | $66,023 | $242,700 | 27.6% | 15.3% |
| Bluefield | 4,979 | $54,041 | $152,500 | 29.8% | 15.6% |
| Big Stone Gap | 5,162 | $54,581 | $163,000 | 15.8% | 26.2% |
| Orange | 5,066 | $76,370 | $273,300 | 21.0% | 14.1% |
| Luray | 4,827 | $50,150 | $253,900 | 18.5% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Rocky Mount is a small community located in Virginia, within Franklin County. The total population is 4,950. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rocky Mount is 45.6 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.7% 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 Rocky Mount is $63,280. This is 32% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 89% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $207,000. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rocky Mount is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.1%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rocky Mount, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Rocky Mount, Virginia has a population of 4,950 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rocky Mount, VA?
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $63,280, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rocky Mount, VA?
The poverty rate in Rocky Mount is 18.6%. This means approximately 876 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rocky Mount, Virginia?
Rocky Mount's population is 59.6% White, 27.1% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rocky Mount, VA?
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $207,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Rocky Mount, Virginia?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Rocky Mount hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.