City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Roanoke Rapids, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Roanoke Rapids - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

15,024
Residents
$53,981
Median income
$129,400
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Roanoke Rapids - the verdict

Nationally, Roanoke Rapids sits in the 26th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
6th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Roanoke Rapids, NC

15,024 people live in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Roanoke Rapids brings in $53,981 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 20.7%. Roanoke Rapids's housing stock carries a median value of $129,400, and the median resident age is 38.0 years. Educational attainment runs 21.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 52.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 5 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Roanoke Rapids's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4276.7 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Roanoke Rapids's yearly average temperature at 60.6°F.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $925 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 72.9 out of 100 (High).

Population

15,024 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$53,981 /yr

Poverty 20.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Roanoke Rapids compare to other US cities?

Roanoke Rapids measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just North Carolina and the picture shifts: Roanoke Rapids ranks #158 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Roanoke Rapids against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Roanoke Rapids near the bottom of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Roanoke Rapids ranks #552 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Roanoke Rapids only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#408 of 700
42nd percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 746
0th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#539 of 708
24th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#135 of 746
82nd percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#367 of 746
51st percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

26thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Roanoke Rapids's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Roanoke Rapids's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Roanoke Rapids's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Roanoke Rapids's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$129,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Roanoke Rapids $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Roanoke Rapids, NC Roanoke Rapids, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Roanoke Rapids, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Roanoke Rapids, NC median $53,981/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Roanoke Rapids, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Roanoke Rapids, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 20.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
15,024
Median Income
$53,981
Median Home Value
$129,400
Median Age
38.0
Poverty Rate
20.7%
Labor force participation
52.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4276.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
896.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3380.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,000 residents14,500 residents15,000 residents15,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 15,197 residents 14,386 residents ▼ -5.3%
Roanoke Rapids's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 16
2021 6
2022 13
2023 4
2024 5

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.2%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
7.5%
Other
4.8%

Based on 5,946 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Roanoke Rapids sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$925/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
72.9 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Laurinburg
15,079 people
Henderson
14,922 people
Belmont
15,140 people
Davidson
14,852 people
Hendersonville
15,253 people
Eden
15,353 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Roanoke Rapids's 15,024 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monroe, OH
15,024 people
Mastic, NY
15,031 people
White Center, WA
15,017 people
Camp Pendleton South, CA
15,011 people
Gloversville, NY
15,010 people
Talladega, AL
15,041 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Roanoke Rapids's $53,981 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marshallton CDP (Northumberland County), PA
$53,983 median income
Montague, TX
$53,984 median income
Camden, IN
$53,977 median income
Sylvania, AL
$53,973 median income
Berlin, PA
$53,973 median income
Bluff, UT
$53,973 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Roanoke Rapids, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Roanoke Rapids, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 51.1% 37.0% 6.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.5% White 51.1% Black or African American 37.0% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.6% Two or more races 6.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Roanoke Rapids compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Roanoke Rapids (this city) 15,024 $53,981
Laurinburg 15,079 $39,258
Henderson 14,922 $38,780
Belmont 15,140 $86,442
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Roanoke Rapids, NC?

What is the population of Roanoke Rapids, NC? +

15,024 people live in Roanoke Rapids, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Roanoke Rapids, NC? +

In Roanoke Rapids, the typical household earns $53,981 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Roanoke Rapids? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Roanoke Rapids; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Roanoke Rapids, NC safe? +

Roanoke Rapids has a total crime rate of 4276.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Roanoke Rapids, NC? +

A typical home in Roanoke Rapids is worth $129,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Roanoke Rapids? +

The average annual temperature in Roanoke Rapids runs 60.6°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.