Living in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Roanoke Rapids · Census data 2020–2024
Roanoke Rapids has 14,856 residents with a median age of 40.3. The median household income is $53,690 (26% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $142,700, the median rent is $858/month.
Roanoke Rapids at a glance
- Population
- 14,856
- Median age
- 40.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $53,690State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $142,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $858/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 49.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Roanoke Rapids a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 18.4%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Roanoke Rapids
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Roanoke Rapids the median home value is $142,700, 57% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $858 per month, which is 26.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,188 a month in housing costs.
Roanoke Rapids median household income
The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,690 and the income per person is $30,053. 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Roanoke Rapids: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,895
- Owner-occupied
- 49.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.1%
- Vacant
- 10.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.37
Roanoke Rapids demographics
- Population
- 14,856
- Median age
- 40.3
- Under 18
- 24.5%
- 65 and older
- 19.7%
- Households
- 6,194
- Foreign-born
- 3.7%
- Veterans
- 7.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Roanoke Rapids ›
Education in Roanoke Rapids
22% of adults 25 and older in Roanoke Rapids have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Roanoke Rapids
- Unemployment rate
- 8.1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.2%
- Drive alone
- 74.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.4%
Roanoke Rapids vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke Rapids | 14,856 | $53,690 | $142,700 | $858 |
| Weldon | 1,642 | $48,350 | $100,500 | $921 |
| Gaston | 912 | $42,105 | $77,200 | $818 |
| South Weldon | 500 | $18,430 | $66,500 | $487 |
| South Rosemary | 2,475 | $47,466 | $86,800 | $907 |
| Garysburg | 572 | $41,333 | $107,600 | $850 |
| Halifax | 294 | $63,686 | — | $733 |
| Seaboard | 585 | $25,776 | $91,500 | $508 |
| Jackson | 777 | $49,048 | — | $947 |
More for people moving to Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Roanoke Rapids: FAQ
What is the median household income in Roanoke Rapids, NC?
The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,690, 26% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Roanoke Rapids?
The median home value in Roanoke Rapids is $142,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Roanoke Rapids?
The median gross rent in Roanoke Rapids is $858 per month, about 26.5% of household income.
Is Roanoke Rapids, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 8.1%; a poverty rate of 18.4%.
What is the median age in Roanoke Rapids?
The median age in Roanoke Rapids is 40.3 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Roanoke Rapids?
The average commute to work in Roanoke Rapids is 22 minutes; 8.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Roanoke Rapids?
The unemployment rate in Roanoke Rapids is 8.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Roanoke Rapids?
22% of adults in Roanoke Rapids have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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