Rockingham County

Rockingham County, NC, has an estimated population of 91,010 as of 2021. The racial composition is approximately 74.3% White, 19.0% Black or African American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% Native American, and 2.1% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up around 6.1% of the population. The median household income is about $47,057, and 16.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. The median age in the county is 43.5 years. (Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau and local statistical reports.)

As of 2021, Rockingham County, NC has a median home value of approximately $115,000. The median monthly rent is around $750. The homeownership rate is 71.5%. About 21.7% of households are single-person, with an average household size of 2.41. The housing market has experienced a 5.7% increase in home values over the past year. The vacancy rate is approximately 12%. This information provides a snapshot of the housing situation in Rockingham County.

Rockingham County, NC, holds elections for various offices, including county commissioners, school board members, and other local positions. As of the most recent elections:

• For the County Commissioners, three seats were contested. The candidates included incumbents Kevin Berger and Charlie Hall, and new candidates such as Toni Reece and Mark Richardson.
• In the School Board election, five candidates vied for three available seats. These included incumbents Paula Harvell and Amanda Bell, and challengers like Doug Isley, Mike Mabe, and Amy Woods.
• Voter turnout was reported at approximately 68%, reflecting strong community engagement.

Elections are overseen by the Rockingham County Board of Elections, which ensures fair and accurate polling. For more detailed and up-to-date information, including results from the latest election, you can visit the official Rockingham County Board of Elections website.

Rockingham County, NC, has varying educational attainment levels compared to state and national averages. As of the most recent data, approximately 84% of residents aged 25 and older have at least a high school diploma, slightly below the national average of 88%. Around 19% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is lower than the national average of around 34% and the North Carolina state average of approximately 30%. The lower percentages in higher education credentials indicate education attainment levels in Rockingham County lag behind broader benchmarks, suggesting potential areas for improvement in advanced education access and attainment.

As of the latest data, Rockingham County, NC has a labor force of approximately 44,000 individuals. The county's employment rate is around 56.1%, with an unemployment rate roughly matching the state average of 3.3%. The top industries in Rockingham County are manufacturing (22.6%), healthcare and social assistance (14.9%), and retail trade (12.1%).

When compared to national averages, Rockingham County has a significantly higher percentage of employment in manufacturing (8.5% nationally) and a lower percentage in professional, scientific, and technical services (5.5% versus 6.2% nationally). The dependency on manufacturing also exceeds the state's average of 18.9%. This specific industrial focus makes the county's economy somewhat specialized, particularly in comparison to the broader, more service-oriented job landscapes seen elsewhere in the country.

As of the most recent data, Rockingham County, NC has an average household income of approximately $45,000. This figure lags behind both the national average and the state average. Nationally, the average household income stands at about $68,700, while North Carolina's state average household income is approximately $56,642. This indicates that Rockingham County is economically challenged in comparison to both broader averages.

Rockingham County’s income levels show room for economic development initiatives to help bridge the gap with state and national averages.

As of the latest available data, Rockingham County, NC has a crime rate that reflects its relatively rural nature, though some variances occur. The overall crime rate is approximately 2,200 incidents per 100,000 residents annually. This summary includes reported crimes such as violent crimes, property crimes, and other offenses.

Crime Statistics Table for Rockingham County, NC

These figures indicate a higher prevalence of property crimes compared to violent crimes. Note that these numbers are subject to change as law enforcement updates its crime reports.