Roanoke Rapids, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Halifax County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
15,024 Population 1,516/sq mi density
$53,981 Median Income $29,306 per capita
$129,400 Home Value $132,688 Zillow
$816 Median Rent 29.1% income on rent
61°F Avg Temperature
897 Violent Crime/100K 3,408 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$53,981 median income, 6.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$129,400 home value, $816/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
897 violent crimes/100K (136% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Roanoke Rapids, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$53,981
28% below
$29,306 per capita
Home Value
$129,400
54% below
Zillow: $132,688
Median Rent
$816/mo
30% below
29.1% of income on rent
Violent Crime
897/100K
136% above
3,408/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
21.8%
35% below
87.4% high school+
Unemployment
6.1%
69% above
20.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.1%
19% above
17.4% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
61°F

How Roanoke Rapids Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Roanoke Rapids's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
72%
Home Value
46%
Rent
70%
Poverty
167%
Bachelor's
65%
Unemployment
169%
Crime
236%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Roanoke Rapids a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Roanoke Rapids residents earn a median household income of $53,981 , which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $29,306. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1% (69% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,094 business establishments, including 99 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Roanoke Rapids is $129,400 , 54% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $132,688. Median rent is $816/month, with 29.1% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1969.

Safety & Crime

Roanoke Rapids reports 897 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 136% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,408/100K.

Education

21.8% of adults in Roanoke Rapids hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below the national average). 87.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.2/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Roanoke Rapids has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population15,024
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density1,516/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born3.8%
Veterans6.5%

Economy

C+
Median Income$53,981
Per Capita$29,306
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty20.7%
County GDP$1,936M
Avg Weekly Wage$905

Housing

A+
Home Value$129,400
Rent$816
Ownership49.9%
Zillow$132,688
Housing Units7,035
Rent Burden29.1%

Crime

F
Violent897/100K
Property3,408/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
Diabetes12.2%
Smoking17.4%
Heart Disease6.2%
Premature Death15,815/100K

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation141 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+87.4%
Graduate+9.0%
School Score4.2/10

Community

2024 VoteR 41% / D 59%
Commute21 min
Broadband85.4%
Internet Speed86 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries6

Did You Know?

The median home in Roanoke Rapids was built in 1969.
The nearest airport is Halifax/Northampton Regional (8 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.492 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
19.9% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 14 fatal vehicle crashes.