Rocky Mount: Demographics & People
Rocky Mount is home to 54,297 people, in 23,364 households. Population grew 0.2% from 54,175 (2022) to 54,297 (2024). Median age 40.7 years. (0.8y younger than Nash County; 4.5y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 62% Black and 26% White (non-Hispanic). The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.48). 58% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,095 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 19% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 42% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.2% from 54,175 (2022) to 54,297 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~54,421 (extrapolated at 0.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 54,591.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 48,900 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 54,175 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 54,297 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 54,297 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 54,591 |
| Population Note | Census Place population covers Edgecombe County, Nash County |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 40.7y is 1.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 40.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 54,297 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 11,938 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 11,883.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 19,553.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 10,923 |
| Population under 18 | 11,938 |
| Median age | 40.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 54,297 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.48 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 15,255 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 34,080 |
| Asian residents | 659 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,079 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 48.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 65.4% |
| Asian population | 1.5% (vs North Carolina 3.2%) |
| Black population | 62.4% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.5% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 26.0% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.7% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 38,087 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 13,785 |
| Share born in this state | 70.1% |
| Share born in another state | 29.9% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 25.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 3.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,641 |
| From Europe | 148 |
| From Africa | 634 |
| From Latin America | 13 |
Households & Family Composition
23,364 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 58% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 13,699 families, 13% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 11,414 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 13,699 |
| Married couples with children | 1,824 |
| Single-parent households | 609 |
| Average household size | 2.29 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 2,295 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 458 |
| Family households | 13,524 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 57.9% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 23,364 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.4% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,095 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.4% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 42,736 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 41,641 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,095 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 3,728 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.9% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 998 residents live in group quarters (1.8% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 998 |
|---|
Other
| Census Counties | Edgecombe County, Nash County |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · District | 2 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 065 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Edgecombe |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 33.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 28.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 37.50 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Edgecombe County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,055 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37065 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Edgecombe County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 37.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 51,472 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 21 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 21 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 54,297, stable, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 54,297 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Edgecombe County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade