Living in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rocky Mount · Census data 2020–2024
Rocky Mount has 54,297 residents with a median age of 40.7. The median household income is $55,534 (23% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $165,700, the median rent is $957/month.
Rocky Mount at a glance
- Population
- 54,297
- Median age
- 40.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $55,534State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $165,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $957/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 49%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.9%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Rocky Mount a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 43% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Rocky Mount
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rocky Mount the median home value is $165,700, 50% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $957 per month, which is 26.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,353 a month in housing costs.
Rocky Mount median household income
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $55,534 and the income per person is $31,561. 19.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Rocky Mount: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 26,869
- Owner-occupied
- 49%
- Renter-occupied
- 51%
- Vacant
- 13%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.28
Rocky Mount demographics
- Population
- 54,297
- Median age
- 40.7
- Under 18
- 22%
- 65 and older
- 20.1%
- Households
- 23,364
- Foreign-born
- 3.8%
- Veterans
- 9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rocky Mount ›
Education in Rocky Mount
22.9% of adults 25 and older in Rocky Mount have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 8.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rocky Mount
- Unemployment rate
- 8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.6%
- Drive alone
- 80%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.7%
Rocky Mount vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | $957 |
| Dortches | 1,158 | $74,500 | $247,600 | $1,215 |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | $121,900 | $954 |
| Nashville | 5,729 | $61,000 | $205,300 | $1,073 |
| Red Oak | 3,405 | $90,214 | $271,800 | — |
| Whitakers | 494 | $48,869 | $148,300 | $887 |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | $109,300 | $859 |
| Momeyer | 398 | $65,278 | $98,800 | $817 |
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | $843 |
More for people moving to Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rocky Mount: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $55,534, 23% 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 Rocky Mount?
The median home value in Rocky Mount is $165,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Rocky Mount?
The median gross rent in Rocky Mount is $957 per month, about 26.4% of household income.
Is Rocky Mount, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 43% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 19.7%.
What is the median age in Rocky Mount?
The median age in Rocky Mount is 40.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Rocky Mount?
The average commute to work in Rocky Mount is 21 minutes; 8.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rocky Mount?
The unemployment rate in Rocky Mount is 8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rocky Mount?
22.9% of adults in Rocky Mount 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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