Roanoke Rapids, NC

North Carolina

Roanoke Rapids is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 15,024. Residents earn $53,981 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
15,024 Population 1,516/sq mi density
$53,981 Median Income $29,306 per capita
$129,400 Home Value $115,378 Zillow
$816 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
583 Violent Crime/100K 6,589 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$53,981 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$129,400 home value, $816/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
583 violent crimes/100K (53% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,981
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $129,400
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 583/100K
53% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.8%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $816
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.7%
67% higher than US avg

How Roanoke Rapids Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population15,024
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density1,516/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,981
Per Capita$29,306
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty20.7%
County GDP$1,936M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$129,400
Rent$816
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$115,378

Crime

F
Violent583/100K
Property6,589/100K
Murder19.2/100K
Assault301/100K
Burglary1,718/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation141 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+87.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 59%
Commute21 min
EV Stations5
Libraries6

Is Roanoke Rapids a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Roanoke Rapids receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Roanoke Rapids offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,981, 28% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Roanoke Rapids is $129,400, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $816 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 583 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,589 per 100,000, 236% above the national average.

Education

21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Roanoke Rapids enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Roanoke Rapids has a population of 15,024 with a density of 1,516 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.1%), with 4% Hispanic, 36.9% Black.

Population

15,024
Total Population
1,516
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
9.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Roanoke Rapids vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.7%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.3%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Roanoke Rapids vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Roanoke Rapids is $53,981, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Roanoke Rapids vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,981
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,306
Avg Weekly Wage$905
IRS Avg AGI$54,123

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.7%
67% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,094
County GDP$1,936M

Business (County)

Restaurants99
Healthcare132
Retail211
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,220
8% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.5 min
Work from Home7.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Roanoke Rapids is $129,400, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $816 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $115,378.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,400
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$115,378
Median List Price$193,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$193,900
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio97.2%
Price Drops23.3%
Inventory43

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$816
30% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$815

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,220
8% below US avg
Effective Rate2.49%
In Roanoke Rapids, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 28.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Roanoke Rapids vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma11.9%
COPD7.9%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity28.1%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death15,815/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access51.9%
Healthcare Facilities132
Roanoke Rapids has a violent crime rate of 583 per 100,000 residents, 53% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,589 per 100,000 (236% above US avg). The murder rate is 19.2 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Roanoke Rapids vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent583.3/100K
53% above US avg
Murder19.2/100K
205% above US avg
Rape32.1/100K
Robbery230.7/100K
Assault301.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,588.9/100K
236% above US avg
Burglary1,717.7/100K
Theft4,743.0/100K
Vehicle Theft128.2/100K
Arson32.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Roanoke Rapids has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.6°F
10% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Area9.9 sq mi (25.7 km²)
Population Density1,516/sq mi
Coordinates36.4460°N, 77.6486°W
County FIPS37083
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 17.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.9%
D 58.5%

Winner: Democrat by 17.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.8%
35% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score5.46
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,516/sq mi
Total Area9.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities132
Restaurants99
Retail Stores211

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.5 min
Work from Home7.5%

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