1st Advantage MortgageThe median Rockingham County household earns $57,053, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's North Carolina license first.
On this page
- Rockingham County in brief
- What it costs to live in Rockingham County
- How Rockingham County residents earn a living
- Household income in Rockingham County
- How Rockingham County compares with nearby counties
- Places inside Rockingham County
- More Rockingham County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Rockingham County
- A Rockingham County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Rockingham County
- Lender oversight for Rockingham County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Rockingham County in brief
With an estimated 92,131 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Rockingham County ranks 32nd of 100 in North Carolina for population. Packed into 566 square miles, that is close to 163 residents for every square mile of land. Rockingham County counts toward the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Greensboro-High Point, NC include it. Eden (15,356 people) heads the county's list of 7 Census places, 6 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
What it costs to live in Rockingham County
Rockingham County rent at the median: $810 a month, utilities in ($1,228 in North Carolina). About 5 in 10 Rockingham County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $168,600, a typical Rockingham County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 72% of homes. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Rockingham County | North Carolina | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 16.4% | 11.0% | +5.5 pts |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | +5.4 pts |
| Median home value | $168,600 | $288,900 | 42% lower |
| Median gross rent | $810/mo | $1,228/mo | 34% lower |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 49% | +2.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | +0.9 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Rockingham County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Rockingham County residents earn a living
Manufacturing employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Rockingham County averages 5.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 17%; under 15 minutes: 29%.
| Top industries | Rockingham County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.0% | +9.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -3.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Rockingham County
Rockingham County households have a median income of $57,053 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 65th of 100 in North Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Rockingham County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.9% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.9% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -6.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Rockingham County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. 16.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Rockingham County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Rockingham County's, from 20 to 27 miles away. Guilford County leads the group on income ($68,642), Danville city trails ($44,423), and Rockingham County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in Virginia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Rockingham County resident follows North Carolina rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | - | $57,053 | $810/mo | 72% |
| Henry County, VA | 20 mi | $50,760 | $728/mo | 75% |
| Guilford County, NC | 21 mi | $68,642 | $1,163/mo | 60% |
| Martinsville city, VA | 21 mi | $46,727 | $808/mo | 55% |
| Caswell County, NC | 25 mi | $59,755 | $727/mo | 75% |
| Danville city, VA | 25 mi | $44,423 | $836/mo | 48% |
| Stokes County, NC | 27 mi | $62,969 | $775/mo | 79% |
Places inside Rockingham County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Rockingham County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 38,793 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Wentworth ($68,500) and Mayodan ($38,446) mark the top and bottom of Rockingham County's income range among larger places. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | city | 15,356 | $47,260 | $799 | 9 mi |
| Reidsville | city | 14,585 | $42,921 | $822 | 7 mi |
| Wentworth | town | 2,692 | $68,500 | $800 | 2 mi |
| Mayodan | town | 2,401 | $38,446 | $817 | 11 mi |
| Madison | town | 2,242 | $52,593 | $830 | 11 mi |
| Stoneville | town | 1,094 | $44,630 | $738 | 9 mi |
| Ruffin | CDP | 423 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
More Rockingham County figures
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Rockingham County | +/- North Carolina | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.7 | +5.6 yrs | +3.2 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.0% | -18.7 pts | -5.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.5% | +4.6 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | -0.8 pts | +1.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | +1.3 pts | +1.2 pts |
| Work from home | 7.0% | -9.3 pts | -1.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.3% | +3.3 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | +1.1 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.7% |
Local borrowing considerations for Rockingham County
Where the Rockingham County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 51% of Rockingham County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Consolidating cards in Rockingham County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
A Rockingham County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Rockingham County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Rockingham County: $4,754
- Less median rent of $810, which is 17% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $1,664 total minus rent leaves $854
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,329 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $57,053 median has less room than this, often none.
Steps before you apply in Rockingham County
Quick steps for Rockingham County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the North Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Rockingham County
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the North Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Rockingham County rank on income in North Carolina?
65th of 100, with a median of $57,053. The state median is $72,388.
What do renters pay in Rockingham County?
$810 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Can Rockingham County owners borrow against a $168,600 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
How many towns are in Rockingham County?
The Census Bureau counts 7 places mainly in the county, led by Eden, Reidsville, Wentworth, Mayodan, Madison.
Does living in Rockingham County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Rockingham County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.