Rocky Mount, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Rocky Mount, North Carolina is 54,175 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $52,927, the median home value is $148,300, and the median age is 41.8.
The population has declined 5.4% since 2010 (57,680 → 54,541).
54,175
Population
1197
People / sq mi
$52,927
Median Income
$148,300
Median Home Value
Rocky Mount covers 45.2 sq mi of land at 1197 people per square mile.
About Rocky Mount, NC
Rocky Mount is a city in North Carolina with a population of 54,175. It ranks #20 among cities in North Carolina by population. The median age is 41.8, older than the national median. The population is 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
The median household income in Rocky Mount is $52,927, below the US median of $74,580. 16.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $148,300, with monthly rent averaging $919. The homeownership rate of 47.5% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Rocky Mount reflects 21.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.4 minutes each way.
Rocky Mount city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Rocky Mount city had a population of 57,680 in 2010 and 54,541 in 2024, a -5.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 57,680 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.40%.
54,541
Population (2024)
57,680
Population (2010)
57,680
Peak (2010)
-0.40%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 57,680 |
| 2011 | 57,401 |
| 2012 | 56,735 |
| 2013 | 56,300 |
| 2014 | 55,880 |
| 2015 | 55,003 |
| 2016 | 54,992 |
| 2017 | 54,634 |
| 2018 | 54,232 |
| 2019 | 53,922 |
| 2020 | 54,382 |
| 2021 | 53,996 |
| 2022 | 54,196 |
| 2023 | 54,388 |
| 2024 | 54,541 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 28.2% |
| Black or African American | 62.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$52,927
Median Household Income
$30,511
Per Capita Income
16.7%
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$148,300
Median Home Value
$919
Median Rent
47.5%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.1%
High School+
21.5%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.0%
Drive Alone
81.8%
Public Transit
7.6%
Work From Home
21.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
24.4%
Foreign Born
94.7%
Non-English at Home
8.7%
Veterans
15.7%
With Disability
88.9%
Health Insurance
90.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.7% |
| Manufacturing | 18.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.7% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.6% |
| Retail Trade | 7.2% |
| Information | 5.6% |
| Construction | 4.7% |
| Public Administration | 3.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.5% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Rocky Mount, North Carolina has a population of 54,175 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Rocky Mount, North Carolina is $52,927, with 16.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Rocky Mount, North Carolina is $148,300, with median monthly rent at $919 and a homeownership rate of 47.5%.
The median age in Rocky Mount, North Carolina is 41.8 years. The population is 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
The population has declined 5.4% since 2010 (57,680 → 54,541).
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Full rankings of North Carolina cities by population
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.