Signals
Rocky Mount
Mount Airy
Growth
47 · Bottom 45%
vs51 · Top 47%
Climate
75 · Top 18%
vs70 · Top 37%
Physical resilience
43 · Bottom 34%
vs57 · Top 49%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 33%
vs98 · Top 38%
Access
73 · Bottom 44%
vs73 · Bottom 44%
Economic stability
40 · Bottom 35%
vs33 · Bottom 24%
Measured values
| Metric | Rocky Mount | Mount Airy | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,952 | 71,425 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $59,636 | $55,656 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $32,904 | $32,573 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 139/sq mi | 134/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $167,800 | $177,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $920 | $761 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.6% | 73.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 20.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 16.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 498 | 241 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.4 | 3.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -12.5% | 0.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.4" | 50.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 43 mi | 47 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.2 min | 25.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.6 | 43.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Rocky Mount
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Mount Airy
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Rocky Mount
57
Your Score
54
Area Score
Mount Airy
64
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area · Mount Airy, NC Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology