City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Roper, NC

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

586
Residents
$19,155
Median income
$72,100
Median home
$925
Median rent (state)

Roper - the verdict

Nationally, Roper sits in the 1st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

1st
percentile, household income
2nd
percentile, home value
7th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Roper, NC

North Carolina's Roper is a small town, with 586 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Roper households earn a median of $19,155 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.9%. Roper's housing stock carries a median value of $72,100, and the median resident age is 40.9 years. Educational attainment runs 6.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 24.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 2 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $925 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 59.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

586 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$19,155 /yr

Poverty 18.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Roper compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 1% higher than other cities
Home value 2% pricier than other cities
Median rent 7% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Roper 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 Roper near the bottom of North Carolina's cities

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

Median Household Income
#694 of 700
1st percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#552 of 746
0th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#693 of 708
2nd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#161 of 746
78th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#686 of 746
8th 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.

1stIncome percentile

1st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Roper's home value compares nationally

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

$72,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 98% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Roper $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 - Roper, NC Roper, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Roper, 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 Roper, NC median $19,155/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%
Roper, 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 Roper, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 24.4%

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

Population
586
Median Income
$19,155
Median Home Value
$72,100
Median Age
40.9
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Labor force participation
24.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.4%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
465 residents470 residents475 residents480 residents485 residents 202020212022202320242025 483 residents 471 residents ▼ -2.5%
Roper's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
28.7%
Carpool
59.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
6.5%
Other
5.5%

Based on 108 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 Roper 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
59.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Lawndale
585 people
Cove City
583 people
St. Helena
580 people
Whitsett
592 people
Ansonville
578 people
New London
594 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Roper's 586 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Yarnell, AZ
586 people
Juliaetta, ID
586 people
Weston, ID
586 people
Bluffs, IL
586 people
Everly, IA
586 people
Hopkinton, IA
586 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Roper's $19,155 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

St. Mary of the Woods, IN
$19,141 median income
Antelope, SD
$19,176 median income
Carolina, WV
$19,188 median income
Pheba, MS
$19,118 median income
Prairie View, TX
$19,106 median income
Warthen, GA
$19,082 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Roper, 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 Roper, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.1% 66.0% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 26.1% White 27.1% Black or African American 66.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 6.8% 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 Roper 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
Roper (this city) 586 $19,155
Lawndale 585 $31,691
Cove City 583 $50,893
St. Helena 580 $77,000
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Roper, NC?

What is the population of Roper, NC? +

586 people live in Roper, NC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Roper, NC? +

In Roper, the typical household earns $19,155 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Roper? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Roper; 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.

What is the median home value in Roper, NC? +

Homes in Roper carry a median value of $72,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, 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.