Higher Education in the Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area

The American Community Survey reported that in the Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area, the most common level of education achieved in the area for the male population is the High School Diploma category, with 35.4 percent obtaining this level of education. The women in the Rocky Mount metro area have achieved a lower level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 15.8 percent (Men) versus 14 percent (Women). A high proportion of the female population in the area has reached the High School Diploma category, with 33 percent of women in the area reaching this education level.

In the Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area according to the American Community Survey of 2005, 19.2 percent of the White Alone, 9 percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and . percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher.

From 2000 to 2005, the percent of male population that is highly educated has increased by 0.8 percent. By 2005, 15.8 percent of area's male population (+25) achieved a BA or Higher. During the same period, the percent of women (+25) that have earned a BA or higher has increased by a total of 0.8 percent. By 2005, a total of 14 percent of the female population having received at least a Bachelors Degree.

Rocky Mount, NC Metro Area may to understood as having a less-educated population, with 14.8 percent of the population (+25) having received a BA or higher, as reported in American Community Survey of 2005. The Rocky Mount MSA is reported having a lower percent of individuals with higher educations than the State of North Carolina's proportion of 25.2 percent and a lower percent than the national average of 27.2 percent.

From the year 2000, the Rocky Mount metro area has increased in the percent of the population that is over the age of 25 with a BA or Higher. This population cohort has grown by 1.0 percent to a total of 14.8 percent in 2005. The American Community Survey reports that the proportion of the 2005 population that is highly educated is less than the 2005 State of North Carolina percent of 25.2 and less than the US percent of 27.2.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Rocky Mount, NC

The Rocky Mount metro area had a population of 145,507 for the year 2005. The total population has increased, since its 2000 population of 143,044. This growth denotes an increase of 1.7 percent. Rocky Mount ranks 12 of 14 MSAs in terms of population growth in North Carolina and the metro area ranks 278 of 361 metro areas when analyzing total MSA population change across the nation.

Since the year 2000, a medium-high number of individuals have migrated into the Rocky Mount metro area, with 1,142 people migrating in internationally. The migration from outside the US into Rocky Mount makes up 0.7 percent of the total migration into the State of North Carolina. This percent of international migration is medium-high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

When measuring the total land area, the Rocky Mount metro area covers a total land area of 1045 square miles. The MSA has a medium-low average population density of 139 persons per square mile. Other metro areas with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Odessa (139 per sq. mile ), Ames (140 per sq. mile ), Jackson (140 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Hot Springs (138 per sq. mile ), Fond du Lac (137 per sq. mile ), Midland (135 per sq. mile ).

The Rocky Mount metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population that is comprised of 50.7 percent White, 43.9 percent African American, 0.5 percent Asian, and 4 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a very high level of diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, with 48.4 percent minorities. This is greater than the State of North Carolina percent of 29.6. Since 2000, Rocky Mount has increased the level of diversity when 46.4 percent of the total population were minorities.

The Census Bureau estimates in 2005 the median age in the Rocky Mount metro area to be 37.5 years old. The median age in Rocky Mount is greater than the median age in the State of North Carolina of 36.2. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in the median age, when it was 36.4 years of age. With 75.3 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Rocky Mount can be described as being made up of a medium-high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-high presence of the population, with 62.6 percent of the population within the age group. People 65 and older make up 13 percent of the population in the area. When compared to other metro areas throughout the United States, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.