Roanoke Rapids ZIP Codes — Halifax County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and it is 27870. Area code: 252.

ZIP codes

65.18

sq mi land

2.54

sq mi water

252

area code

Roanoke Rapids, NC ZIP code map

About Roanoke Rapids, NC

Roanoke Rapids is a charming city located in Halifax County, North Carolina. Known for its rich history and community spirit, this city offers a blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. Residents enjoy a warm climate and a variety of local attractions that reflect the culture and heritage of the region.

Location & geography

Geographically, Roanoke Rapids is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina, making it accessible to several nearby cities. The city is approximately 40 miles from Rocky Mount, 50 miles from Greenville, and about 70 miles from Raleigh. It covers a land area of 65.18 square miles and includes a water area of 2.54 square miles, contributing to its scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

Roanoke Rapids has a close-knit community that prides itself on its friendly atmosphere and active involvement in local events. The local economy is supported by various industries, including manufacturing and retail, which provide job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Roanoke Rapids is characterized by a blend of small-town charm and access to larger urban centers for more diverse economic and social activities.

Transportation

Transportation in Roanoke Rapids is facilitated by several key highways, including Interstate 95, which runs nearby, providing easy access to larger cities in both North Carolina and Virginia. The nearest major airport is in Greenville, approximately 50 miles away, which connects residents to national and international flights. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of transport in the area.

History

Roanoke Rapids was founded in the early 1900s and quickly grew due to the boom in the textile industry, which became a major player in the local economy. The city is also noted for its role in the paper manufacturing sector, with several mills operating throughout its history. Notable events include the establishment of the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, which has drawn various performances and events to the area, enhancing the cultural scene.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Roanoke Rapids is that it was once a prominent center for the textile industry, hosting numerous mills that significantly contributed to its economic growth. Additionally, the city is home to the Roanoke Canal, which offers scenic views and recreational opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and hiking.

ZIP codes for Roanoke Rapids, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
27870	Roanoke Rapids	Halifax	View map

Demographics & statistics

25,279

Population

41.8

Median age

$44,416

Median household income

$25,764

Per capita income

$115,300

Median home value

$804

Median monthly rent

59.1%

Home ownership

21.6%

Poverty rate

10.3%

Unemployment

7,503

Housing units

19.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

741

Under 5

852

511

5–9

588

1,056

10–14

1,214

710

15–19

816

669

20–24

768

1,381

25–34

1,588

1,282

35–44

1,473

1,415

45–54

1,626

897

55–59

1,032

834

60–64

958

1,400

65–74

1,610

632

75–84

726

233

85+

267

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	6,072	24.0%
18 and over	19,207	76.0%
65 and over	4,868	19.3%
Median age	41.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 46.1%

Black or African American 40.3%

Two or more races 5.9%

Hispanic or Latino 3.9%

Other race 2%

Asian 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	12,132	46.1%
Black or African American	10,594	40.3%
Two or more races	1,550	5.9%
Hispanic or Latino	1,016	3.9%
Other race	520	2%
Asian	276	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	146	0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	61	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 6.8%

$10k–$15k 10.4%

$15k–$25k 12.4%

$25k–$35k 11.6%

$35k–$50k 13.7%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 11.4%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k+ 2.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.8%
$10k–$15k	10.4%
$15k–$25k	12.4%
$25k–$35k	11.6%
$35k–$50k	13.7%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	11.8%
$100k–$150k	11.4%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
$200k+	2.4%
Median income	$44,416

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.1%

$50k–$100k 30.4%

$100k–$150k 22.0%

$150k–$200k 11.2%

$200k–$300k 12.4%

$300k–$500k 9.1%

$500k–$1M 2.5%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$115,300
Median rent / month	$804
Owner occupied	59.1%
Renter occupied	40.9%
Vacant	11.4%
Single-family detached	62.3%
Large apartment buildings	3.0%
Mobile homes	19.2%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	4.5%
2000–2009	9.8%
1990–1999	18.2%
1980–1989	17.5%
1970–1979	9.4%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	13.4%
1940–1949	7.4%
1939 or earlier	7.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	7.4%
2 bedrooms	28.2%
3 bedrooms	51.9%
4 bedrooms	10.9%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.8%
1 vehicle	37.5%
2 vehicles	30.9%
3 or more	23.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	23.5%
Electricity	64.1%
Propane / LP gas	7.8%
Fuel oil	3.1%
Wood	1.3%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,087	39.2%
Cohabiting couple	691	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	1,489	14.3%
Female householder, no spouse	4,156	39.9%
Households with children under 18	3,176	30.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,678	35.3%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.8%	32.4%
Married	47.1%	37.3%
Separated	1.9%	4.5%
Widowed	4.0%	13.0%
Divorced	8.2%	12.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.0%

Some HS, no diploma 10.2%

HS graduate 35.6%

Some college, no degree 20.6%

Associate's degree 8.1%

Bachelor's degree 12.5%

Graduate / professional 7.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.9%
Bachelor's or higher	19.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	456	7.9%
Kindergarten	266	4.6%
Elementary school	2,535	44.2%
High school	1,527	26.6%
College / grad school	953	16.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.0%

Manufacturing 14.4%

Retail trade 11.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.2%

Public administration 7.4%

Professional & management 6.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.9%

Other services 4.6%

Construction 3.6%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Wholesale trade 2.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.0%

Information 1.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.7%
Service	21.9%
Sales & office	19.8%
Natural resources & construction	7.4%
Production & transportation	17.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.0%
Government	23.7%
Self-employed	4.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.1%
Carpool	10.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.5

Poverty

All people 21.6%

Under 18 years 30.4%

18 and over 18.8%

Married-couple families 8.3%

Female-led households 37.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.4%
Retirement income	22.7%
Supplemental Security	11.6%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	26.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.8%
High cholesterol	35.6%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	29.3%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.5%
No physical activity	28.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.4%
Fair or poor health	20.2%
Poor mental health	15.8%
Poor physical health	13.6%
No health insurance	21.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	81.5%
Visited dentist	54.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.3%
Teeth loss	20.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,322	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.9%
Under 18	7.4%
18–64 years	18.7%
65 and over	39.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	52.5%
Public insurance	51.1%
Uninsured under 19	7.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	23,686	93.7%
Spanish	405	1.7%
Other Indo-European	309	1.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	15	0.1%
Other languages	51	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	24,523	97.0%
Born in same state	24,257	96.0%
Born in different state	17,993	71.2%
Foreign born	266	1.1%
Naturalized citizen	756	3.0%
Not a US citizen	139	18.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	2,228	8.8%
Arab	2,127	8.4%
Italian	1,419	5.6%
English	165	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	66	0.3%
Irish	15	0.1%
Norwegian	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.2%
Internet access	87.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Roanoke Rapids, NC have?

Roanoke Rapids, NC has one ZIP code: 27870. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.