Rocky Mount, North Carolina Article Index for
Rocky Mount
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Information About

Rocky Mount, North Carolina





GEOGRAPHY


According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 92.7 Km&2 (35.8 Mi&2 ). 92.1 km&2 (35.6 mi&2) of it is land and 0.5 km&2 (0.2 mi&2) of it is water. The total area is 0.59% water.


EDUCATION

The City of Rocky Mount is served by the Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System , along with a number of private and charter schools in the area. Post-secondary institutions include Nash Community College and North Carolina Wesleyan College .


DEMOGRAPHICS

As of the Census of 2006 , there were 143,026 people, 51,082 households, and 35,678 families residing in the city. In 2001 it had a population of 57,150. The Population Density was 606.7/km&2 (1,571.4/mi&2). There were 70,000 housing units at an average density of 262.3/km&2 (679.5/mi&2). The racial makeup of the city was 53.82% White , 43.10% African American , 0.4% Native American , 0.40% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.91% from Other Races , and 1.07% from two or more races. 3.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 51,082 households out of which 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were Married Couples living together, 30.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 85.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,661, and the median income for a family was $39,929. Males had a median income of $41,455 versus $34,409 for females. The Per Capita Income for the city was $17,804. 20.1% of the population and 15.8% of families were below the Poverty Line . 28.6% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.


FLOOD

In the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd in 1999, 30% of Rocky Mount was estimated to be under water due to the flooding of the Tar River and Stoney Creek. Pictures


FAMOUS ROCKY MOUNT NATIVES

Phil Ford was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on February 9th, 1956, and he graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1974.

Charles Linwood Williams , also known as "Buck", was born in Rocky Mount on March 8, 1960, and was the 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year and a 3-time NBA All-Star.

Herman Boone, the coach on which the movie Remember the Titans was based, was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on October 28, 1935. Boone graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (later re-named Rocky Mount Senior High School) in 1954. He coached high school football in Virginia and North Carolina.

Thelonious Sphere Monk was born on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Monk was a legendary jazz pianist known for his innovative techniques. He was among a select group of musicians responsible for the birth of a new form of jazz known as "bebop."

Kay Kyser , a popular Big Band leader of the 1930s and 1940s.

Allan Gurganus , the American writer whose work is often set in North Carolina, was born in Rocky Mount in 1947 .

Hardee's , the famous American fast-food chain, was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1961. Formed by Rocky Mount natives Jim Gardner and Leonard Rawls, Hardee's grew to become a giant in the fast food business.


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