Roanoke Rapids, NC Demographics

A map of Roanoke Rapids's Population by Race

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina has an estimated population of 14,856, a slight decrease from the 15,229 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.1% White, 37.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic, 5.2% Multiracial, 1.1% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Roanoke Rapids, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Roanoke Rapids has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Roanoke Rapids, that probability was 56.0% in 2020 and 60.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Roanoke Rapids is ranked the 73rd most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Roanoke Rapids was ranked the 68th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Roanoke Rapids's White Population

7,446 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 50.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Roanoke Rapids is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Roanoke Rapids ranks 521st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's White population has declined by an estimated 13.3%. White residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has decreased from 56.4% to 50.1%.

Roanoke Rapids is more White than neighboring Weldon (14.5% White), Gaston (36.5% White), South Weldon (17.2% White), South Rosemary (37.2% White), and Garysburg (0% White).

Roanoke Rapids's Black Population

5,499 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 37.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Roanoke Rapids is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Roanoke Rapids ranks 162nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.7%. Black residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has increased from 34.5% to 37.0%.

Roanoke Rapids is less Black than neighboring Weldon (82.8% Black), Gaston (58.4% Black), South Weldon (79.4% Black), South Rosemary (58.5% Black), and Garysburg (94.6% Black).

Roanoke Rapids's Asian Population

169 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Roanoke Rapids is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Roanoke Rapids ranks 166th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's Asian population has declined by an estimated 25.6%. Asian residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Roanoke Rapids is more Asian than neighboring Weldon (0% Asian), Gaston (0.5% Asian), South Weldon (0% Asian), South Rosemary (0% Asian), and Garysburg (0% Asian).

Roanoke Rapids's Hispanic Population

901 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 6.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Roanoke Rapids is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Roanoke Rapids ranks 557th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 56.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has increased from 3.8% to 6.1%.

Roanoke Rapids is more Hispanic than neighboring Weldon (1.3% Hispanic), Gaston (1.4% Hispanic), South Weldon (0% Hispanic), South Rosemary (0% Hispanic), and Garysburg (0.5% Hispanic).

Roanoke Rapids's Native American/Other Population

67 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Roanoke Rapids is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Roanoke Rapids ranks 390th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 41.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Roanoke Rapids is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Weldon (0% Native American/Other), and South Rosemary (0% Native American/Other). Roanoke Rapids is less Native American/Other than neighboring Weldon (0.9% Native American/Other), and Gaston (1% Native American/Other).

Roanoke Rapids's Multiracial Population

774 residents of Roanoke Rapids, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Roanoke Rapids is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Roanoke Rapids ranks 534th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Roanoke Rapids's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 64.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Roanoke Rapids's population has increased from 3.1% to 5.2%.

Roanoke Rapids is more Multiracial than neighboring Weldon (0.5% Multiracial), Gaston (2.1% Multiracial), South Weldon (3.4% Multiracial), South Rosemary (4.3% Multiracial), and Garysburg (4.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.