Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Roanoke Rapids, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

14,856

Median Agei

40.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

50.1%7,446

Black

37%5,499

Hispanic/Latino

6.1%901

Two or More

5.2%774

Asian

1.1%169

Other

0.3%46

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%21

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

7.8%769

High School Diploma

29.7%2,935

Some College (<1 yr)

9.1%904

Some College (1+ yr)

13.2%1,305

Associate's Degree

7.8%770

Bachelor's Degree

14.7%1,450

Master's Degree

6%596

Professional Degree

0.8%82

Doctorate

0.5%45

HS or Higher

89.6%

BA or Higher

22%

Graduate+

7.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$142,700

Median Renti

$858

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

49.9%3,092

Renter-Occupied

50.1%3,102

Total Units

6,895

Homeownership

49.9%

Vacancy Rate

10.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

7.5%231

$50K–$100K

23.8%735

$100K–$150K

21.9%678

$150K–$200K

17.6%543

$200K–$300K

17.6%543

$300K–$500K

9.5%293

$500K–$1M

1.8%57

$1M+

0.4%12

Rent Distribution

Under $500

523

$500–$750

655

$750–$1,000

908

$1,000–$1,250

622

$1,250–$1,500

112

$1,500–$2,000

141

$2,000+

Year Built

2010–2019

3.5%243

2000–2009

4.8%331

1990–1999

6.9%477

1980–1989

16.9%1,162

1970–1979

14.2%980

1960–1969

15.5%1,072

1950–1959

18.7%1,292

1940–1949

10.7%735

1939 or earlier

8.7%603

Heating Fuel

Electricity

53.5%3,313

Utility Gas

39.3%2,436

Fuel Oil

4.6%285

Bottled/LP Gas

2.2%138

Wood

0.3%16

No Fuel

0.1%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$53,690

Mean Household Incomei

$71,360

Per Capita Incomei

$30,053

Poverty Ratei

18.3%

Unemploymenti

8.1%

Labor Forcei

6,769

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.4%456

$10K–$15K

5.7%352

$15K–$20K

7.8%485

$20K–$25K

4%250

$25K–$30K

1.8%111

$30K–$35K

6.5%405

$35K–$40K

3.7%229

$40K–$45K

5.3%330

$45K–$50K

5.6%345

$50K–$60K

6.6%406

$60K–$75K

9.5%587

$75K–$100K

11.4%706

$100K–$125K

13%807

$125K–$150K

3.8%236

$150K–$200K

4%247

$200K+

3.9%242

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

757

Residentsi

1,050

Avg. Tenant Renti

$338/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

21 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing244 homes100% occupied$344/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers346 homes61% occupied$337/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8100 homes83% occupied$302/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC67 homes99% occupied$380/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $53,690/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

73%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

22.6%

Low income$27K–$43K/yr

3.8%

Moderate / aboveOver $43K/yr

0.6%

Who Receives This Housing

78.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

84.9% of subsidized households are minority

20.8% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

47.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

5493.7%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

India

Guatemala

Mexico

Germany

Canada

United Kingdom

China

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

6,020

Avg. Commutei

21.8 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

6,223

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

888(7.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

92.4%Insured

7.6%Uninsured