Rocky Mount, NC Census Data
The 20th largest city in North Carolina by population · 22 cities ranked
Rocky Mount is the 20th largest city in North Carolina by population and ranks 21st of 22 for median household income. With 54,175 residents, its poverty rate of 21.2% ranks among the higher rates in North Carolina. This snapshot draws from the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
Updated: 2026-04-13 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023
Population
54,175
47.2% male · 52.8% female
Median Age
41.8
3.1 above the national average (38.7 yrs)
Median Household Income
$52,927
$25,611 below the national average ($78,538)
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.5%
13.5% below the national average (35.0%)
HS diploma or higher: 86.1%
Poverty Rate
21.2%
8.8% above the national average (12.4%)
Uninsured: 11.1%
Broadband Access
90.2%
0.5% above the national average (89.7%)
Median Home Value
$148,300
Median rent: $919 · 48% owner-occupied
Unemployment Rate
8.1%
Labor force participation: 53.7%
Per Capita Income
$34,496
Individual average income (not household)
Veteran Population
8.7%
Disability rate: 15.7%
How Rocky Mount Compares to Other North Carolina Cities
Rankings among all 22 North Carolina cities tracked in the 2023 ACS.
| Ranking | Position | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Largest by Population | 20th of 22 | Bottom 25% |
| Highest Median Income | 21st of 22 | Bottom 25% |
| Lowest Poverty Rate | 21st of 22 | Bottom 25% |
| Highest Bachelor's Attainment | 22nd of 22 | Bottom 25% |
| Highest Home Value | 22nd of 22 | Bottom 25% |
Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
Age Distribution
Commute to Work
Rocky Mount, NC Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rocky Mount, NC?
The population of Rocky Mount, NC is 54,175 according to the 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The median age is 41.8 years.
What is the median household income in Rocky Mount?
The median household income in Rocky Mount, NC is $52,927, below the national average of $78,538. Per capita income is $34,496.
What is the poverty rate in Rocky Mount?
The poverty rate in Rocky Mount, NC is 21.2%, compared to the national average of 12.4%. About 11.1% of residents lack health insurance.
What percentage of Rocky Mount residents have a college degree?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Rocky Mount hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 86.1% have at least a high school diploma. The national average for bachelor's degree holders is 35.0%.
What is the median home value in Rocky Mount?
The median home value in Rocky Mount, NC is $148,300. Median rent is $919 per month, with 48% of housing units owner-occupied.
What is the racial makeup of Rocky Mount?
Rocky Mount's population is 28.2% White, 62.9% Black, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 1.2% Asian (source: 2023 ACS).
How does Rocky Mount rank among North Carolina cities?
Rocky Mount is the 20th largest city in North Carolina by population, the 21st highest for median household income, the 21st lowest for poverty rate, the 22nd highest for bachelor's degree attainment among 22 ranked North Carolina cities.
What is the unemployment rate in Rocky Mount?
The unemployment rate in Rocky Mount, NC is 8.1%, with a labor force participation rate of 53.7%. Per capita income is $34,496.
Cities Similar to Rocky Mount
Other North Carolina cities with comparable population and income levels.