Rocky Mount, North Carolina
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Rocky Mount is a city in the Inner Banks of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 19, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of the 19th century, and the first post office in the area opened in 1816. The city straddles the county line, with part of it in Nash County and part of it in Edgecombe County. In 1996 the town of Battleboro merged with the city of Rocky Mount. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 55,893.
Geography
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[Geographic references#2GR2] 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/km² (1,571.4/mi²). There were 70,000 housing units at an average density of 262.3/km² (679.5/mi²). 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.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. About 15.8% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.
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, better known as "Buck Williams", 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.
G. Kennedy Thompson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wachovia Corporation was born in Rocky Mount in 1950.
External links
- [City of Rocky Mount] (official website)
- [Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce]
- [North Carolina Wesleyan College]
Community links
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