Rockingham, NC

North Carolina

Rockingham is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 9,094. Residents earn $36,695 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
9,094 Population 1,190/sq mi density
$36,695 Median Income $24,144 per capita
$133,900 Home Value $129,952 Zillow
$717 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
328 Violent Crime/100K 9,758 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$36,695 median income, 5.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$133,900 home value, $717/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
328 violent crimes/100K (14% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,695
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $133,900
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 328/100K
14% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.4%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $717
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.5%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.7%
148% higher than US avg

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

People

Population9,094
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density1,190/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 54%

Economy

C
Median Income$36,695
Per Capita$24,144
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty30.7%
County GDP$1,560M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$133,900
Rent$717
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$129,952

Crime

F
Violent328/100K
Property9,758/100K
Murder10.6/100K
Assault169/100K
Burglary1,692/100K

Health

Obesity43.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation268 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.4%
High School+87.4%
School Score5.22

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 46%
Commute23 min
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Is Rockingham a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rockingham receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Rockingham has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rockingham is $36,695, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 30.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rockingham is $133,900, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $717 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Rockingham is below the national average at 328 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 9,758 per 100,000, 398% above the national average.

Education

19.4% 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 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Rockingham enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Rockingham has a population of 9,094 with a density of 1,190 people per square mile. The median age is 35.9 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (53.5%), with 2% Hispanic, 36.8% Black.

Population

9,094
Total Population
1,190
People / sq mi
35.9yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.2%
Female 57.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rockingham vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.7%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.3%
53% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rockingham vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rockingham is $36,695, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 30.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Rockingham vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,695
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,144
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$48,542

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate30.7%
148% above US avg
Establishments (County)706
County GDP$1,560M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare109
Retail141
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,791
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.7 min
Work from Home0.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Rockingham is $133,900, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $717 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $129,952.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$133,900
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$129,952
Median List Price$147,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$147,500
$/Sq Ft$129
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio91.0%
Price Drops25.8%
Inventory31

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$717
38% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$717
1 Bedroom$793
2 Bedrooms$1,040
3 Bedrooms$1,286
4 Bedrooms$1,463

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,791
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.08%
In Rockingham, 43.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rockingham vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.5%
36% above US avg
Diabetes14.1%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure39.9%
Asthma12.6%
COPD9.3%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.1%
Checkup Rate79.7%
Premature Death16,835/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.2/10
Exercise Access64.2%
Healthcare Facilities109
Rockingham has a violent crime rate of 328 per 100,000 residents, 14% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 9,758 per 100,000 (398% above US avg). The murder rate is 10.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent327.7/100K
14% below US avg
Murder10.6/100K
68% above US avg
Rape21.1/100K
Robbery126.9/100K
Assault169.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property9,757.9/100K
398% above US avg
Burglary1,691.5/100K
Theft7,907.8/100K
Vehicle Theft158.6/100K
Arson42.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rockingham has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

44°F Jan (6°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average44°F (6°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall0.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %84.0%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation268 ft (82 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.8 km²)
Population Density1,190/sq mi
Coordinates34.9386°N, 79.7603°W
County FIPS37165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 6.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.2%
D 46.2%

Winner: Republican by 6.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.4%
42% below US avg
High School+87.4%
School Test Score5.22
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,190/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities109
Restaurants60
Retail Stores141

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.7 min
Work from Home0.7%

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