Town · North Carolina
Rolesville, North Carolina
Rolesville, town, in Wake County, North Carolina. Rolesville had 12,839 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 32.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,475 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 10,766 (±24). GEOID 3757640.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,839
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,475 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,766 ±24
Median household income
$149,565
±$18,991 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$535,000
±$45,901 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,085
±$808 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Rolesville and what county is it in?
Rolesville is a town in Wake County, North Carolina. It covers 7.0 square miles of land, 1,351 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rolesville is in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Rolesville, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,839 people lived in Rolesville on July 1, 2025, up 32.9% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 9,475 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 10,766 (±24).
| Measure | Rolesville | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,766 ±24 | 1,178,653 | +3,278 |
| Households | 3,524 ±252 | 460,175 | +1,320 |
| Average household size | 3.05 ±0.22 | 2.51 | −0.35 |
| Housing units | 3,658 ±262 | 496,047 | +1,233 |
Rolesville's population since 2000
From 907 in 2000 to 12,839 in 2025: up 1,315.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rolesville as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rolesville?
The median resident of Rolesville is 40.6 years old; 28.8% are under 18 and 12.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.5%. 9.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rolesville | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 ±1.7 | 37.3 | +5.1 |
| Under 18 years | 28.8% ±3.3 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.4% ±3.5 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Male | 49.2% ±2.8 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.8% ±4.7 pts | 11.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.7% ±7.7 pts | 56.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.5% ±7.7 pts | 18.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.7% ±3.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.2% ±4.5 pts | 15.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.4% ±6.6 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8% ±2.5 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 6.3% ±2.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1% ±3.4 pts | 7.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.0% ±1.5 pts | 94.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 62.1% ±6.3 pts | 57.2% | +9.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 26.9% ±4.5 pts | 23.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 97.4% ±1.5 pts | 85.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 3.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rolesville earn?
Half of Rolesville's 3,524 households earn less than $149,565 a year (±$18,991), against $105,768 in Wake County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $147,209 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 1.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rolesville | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $149,565 ±$18,991 | $105,768 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $158,260 ±$15,089 | $139,586 | – |
| Per capita income | $53,322 ±$4,497 | $55,448 | +$9,418 |
| People below the poverty line | 1.1% ±0.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.8% ±2.4 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.2% ±1.1 pts | 98.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.8% ±4.8 pts | 95.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rolesville?
Owners occupy 92.5% of Rolesville's occupied homes and renters 7.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $535,000 by its owner (±$45,901).
| Measure | Rolesville | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $535,000 ±$45,901 | $461,300 | +$145,855 |
| Median gross rent | $1,085 ±$808 | $1,623 | – |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.9% ±39.3 pts | 38.1% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,483 ±$161 | $2,113 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 92.5% ±5.2 pts | 64.1% | +8.7 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 7.5% ±5.2 pts | 35.9% | – |
| Housing units | 3,658 ±262 | 496,047 | +1,233 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.9 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±14.8 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.4% ±5.7 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9% ±2.3 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 22.0% ±5.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 42.4% ±7.5 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5% ±3.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 4.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rolesville building?
Builders took permits for 622 new housing units in Rolesville in 2025 (622 in single-family houses), 48.4 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rolesville work and get to work?
65.7% of Rolesville's workers drive alone and 27.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.7%.
| Measure | Rolesville | Wake County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.8% ±4.6 pts | 69.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% ±2.3 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.7% ±5.3 pts | 61.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.5% ±2.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 27.9% ±5.8 pts | 29.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.5 min ±2.8 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Rolesville?
1 census tract lies mostly in Rolesville, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 542.22Wake County | 7,763 | $158,787 |
| Tract 542.15Wake County | 4,814 | $115,345 |
| Tract 542.16Wake County | 5,698 | $153,309 |
| Tract 542.21Wake County | 8,475 | $158,722 |
| Tract 542.14Wake County | 2,435 | $98,058 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Rolesville) · Census block assignment files
How does Rolesville compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rolesville is the 2,693rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 79th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Rolesville ranks 12th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 79th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 13th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 99th | 443 |
| Median household income | 12th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 58th | 443 |
| Median home value | 30th | 438 |
| Poverty rate | 341st | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th | 421 |
| Median age | 228th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 30th | 443 |
| Work from home | 32nd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 53rd | 439 |
Rolesville's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Rolesville with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Rolesville?
20 of the 57 figures for Rolesville on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rolesville are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Rolesville.