Is Rocky Mount Safe, Pros and cons of living in Rocky Mount

Is it Safe to Live in Rocky Mount?

Rocky Mount, North Carolina, presents a complex picture regarding safety. The city experiences a crime rate that is significantly higher than both the national and state averages. This elevated rate is driven by a notable increase in property crimes, which have risen substantially in recent years.

Violent crime, while still a concern, has shown a downward trend for the past few years. However, the overall crime rate remains a significant factor for those considering a move to Rocky Mount. Understanding the specific types of crime and their prevalence is crucial for a comprehensive safety assessment.

Crime Statistics in Rocky Mount

Violent Crime

Rocky Mount faces challenges with violent crime, with rates considerably higher than national averages. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 131 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This includes offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Despite the higher rates, there has been a positive trend of decreasing violent crime over the last three consecutive years. Between 2022 and 2023, violent crime saw a 6% drop (as reported by WRAL). This suggests ongoing efforts to improve public safety are having some impact.

However, the city has experienced one of the higher murder rates in the nation when compared to cities of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This statistic underscores the seriousness of violent crime in Rocky Mount, even with the recent downward trend.

Property Crime

Property crime is a more pronounced issue in Rocky Mount, with rates significantly exceeding national averages. These crimes include burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In Rocky Mount, the property crime rate is 3980 per 100,000 residents, which is 126.1% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

The increase in property crime by 18% from the previous year has been driven by a rise in breaking and entering, larceny, motor vehicle thefts, and arson (as reported by WRAL). This trend is consistent with national patterns observed in other cities of similar size.

The chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Rocky Mount is about 1 in 25 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The increase in property crime is an area of focus for the Rocky Mount Police Department, which is implementing strategies to address it.

Cost of Living in Rocky Mount

Housing Costs

Housing costs in Rocky Mount are generally lower than the national average. The median home price in Rocky Mount is approximately $120,000, showing a year-over-year decrease of 7.9% (as reported by Rentcast). The median listing price for a home is around $225,000 (as reported by Zumper).

The median rent in Rocky Mount is about $999 per month (as reported by Zillow and Zumper). This figure is significantly lower than the national average rent. Houses for rent in Rocky Mount tend to be more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $1,250.

Despite a recent year-over-year softening in the median sale price by 4.05%, the market shows signs of potential growth, with a 1-year price projection of 1.5% (as reported by Zumper).

General Expenses

The overall cost of living in Rocky Mount is considered to be 8% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). However, it is substantially lower than the state average for North Carolina.

Monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $2,248, and for a family of four, around $5,083 (as reported by Salary.com). Key contributors to the cost of living include housing, transportation, and food expenses.

Food expenses in Rocky Mount run about 14.8% above the national average (as reported by Salary.com). While utility costs are slightly lower than the national average, transportation expenses are also about 5% lower (as reported by PayScale for Rocky Mount, Virginia, which may differ from North Carolina data).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

Rocky Mount’s economy is supported by a diverse range of major employers across various sectors. Key industries include healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.

Significant employers in the area include UNC Health Nash, Pfizer, and Cummins Inc. These companies provide a substantial number of jobs and contribute to the local economic stability.

Other important contributors to the job market include Sysco, Fresenius Medical Care, and Waste Management. These organizations play a vital role in the employment landscape of Rocky Mount.

Unemployment and Salaries

The unemployment rate in Rocky Mount, Nash County, NC, is currently around 6.00% (as reported by YCharts). This rate is lower than the long-term average for the area.

The average annual salary in Rocky Mount is approximately $48,462 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). This equates to an hourly wage of about $23.30. Other sources indicate a slightly higher average salary of $61,528 per year or $30 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).

The median household income in Rocky Mount is around $55,534 (as reported by World Population Review). The cost of living in Rocky Mount is estimated at $1,780 per month, which is noted as being in the top 32% of expensive cities globally (as reported by Livingcost.org).

Climate in Rocky Mount

Temperatures

Rocky Mount experiences a climate with distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures typically ranging from 70°F to 90°F. July is the hottest month, with average high temperatures around 89°F and lows of 70°F (as reported by Weather & Climate).

Winters are mild, with temperatures generally varying between 33°F and 52°F. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 33°F and highs of 52°F (as reported by Weather & Climate).

The city experiences about 134 days per year with comfortable weather, typically between April and May, and again from mid-September to October (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Precipitation

Rocky Mount receives an average of 46 inches of precipitation annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). This includes rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, sleet, and hail.

The wettest month is typically September, with an average of 5 inches of precipitation. Conversely, November is usually the driest month, with around 2.7 inches of rainfall (as reported by Weather & Climate).

The chance of a wet day is higher from May to September, exceeding 33% during these months. November sees the fewest wet days, with an average of about 6.6 days (as reported by Weather & Climate).

Education in Rocky Mount

Public School Performance

Public schools in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, face challenges in terms of academic performance. The average math proficiency score is 21%, and the reading proficiency score is 30% (as reported by Niche). These scores are below the North Carolina state averages.

Schools in Rocky Mount generally rank low, with an average ranking of 1 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools (as reported by Niche). Minority enrollment is high, at 84% of the student body, which is more than the state average.

Some of the top-ranked public schools in Rocky Mount include NRM Early College High School, Citi High School, and Northern Nash High School (as reported by Niche).

Private School Options

Rocky Mount also offers private school options for families. Rocky Mount Academy is a private PK-12 school with a rating of 4.44 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). It is recognized for its rigorous college-prep curriculum and dedication to small class sizes.

Rocky Mount Preparatory School, Inc. is another charter school serving grades K-12. While public schools may present academic challenges, private institutions offer alternative educational environments.

The overall student-teacher ratio in Rocky Mount’s public schools is approximately 18:1, with some schools having lower ratios (as reported by Niche). The city is served by 21 public schools and 9 private schools.

Demographics of Rocky Mount

Population and Age

Rocky Mount has an estimated population of 54,341 as of the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). The population is projected to be around 54,620 in 2026 (as reported by World Population Review). The city is growing at a slow annual rate of 0.07%.

The median age in Rocky Mount is 40.7 years (as reported by World Population Review). The age distribution shows approximately 18.3% of the population under 15, with about 20.1% being 65 or older.

Males constitute 47.2% of the population, while females make up 52.8% (as reported by Point2Homes). The average household size is two members.

Race and Ethnicity

The racial composition of Rocky Mount is predominantly African American and White. African Americans make up about 62.4% of the population, while White residents account for approximately 26.0% (as reported by Census Dots).

Other racial groups include Hispanic (5.5%), Multiracial (3.4%), Asian (1.5%), and Native American/Other (1.2%) (as reported by Census Dots). Rocky Mount is less diverse than North Carolina as a whole.

Citizenship in Rocky Mount is high, with 97.7% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The foreign-born population is around 3.76%.