Rocky Mount, Virginia Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published July 2, 2019 · Updated September 5, 2024

Rocky Mount, Virginia is a small town located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has a population of just over 5,000 and is situated in the heart of Franklin County. Rocky Mount is known for its picturesque scenery and mild climate. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers and mild winters. It’s geography includes rolling hills and valleys, as well as forests and streams.

The history of Rocky Mount dates back to 1790 when it was established as an agricultural community. Since then it has grown to become an important part of Franklin County’s economy through its diverse industries such as lumber mills, automotive manufacturing, and textile production.

Politics in Rocky Mount are largely conservative but there is a strong sense of civic involvement among residents who care deeply about their community. Locals are passionate about their heritage and take pride in their local government’s commitment to preserving the town’s history and culture.

The economy of Rocky Mount is largely driven by its manufacturing sector but there are also many small businesses that contribute to the area’s prosperity. Tourism also plays a large role in providing jobs for locals who work at restaurants, hotels, shops, galleries, wineries, farms and other attractions throughout the area.

Rocky Mount has several schools including two elementary schools (Rocky Mount Elementary School & Glade Hill Elementary School), one middle school (Benjamin Franklin Middle School), one high school (Franklin County High School) and several private schools such as Central Virginia Christian Academy & St Joseph Catholic School). These institutions offer quality education options for students ranging from kindergarten through high school graduation.

Rocky Mountain is home to many landmarks including historic buildings like the Old Stone Church (built in 1836) & Patrick Henry Hotel (built in 1908), popular parks like Booker T Washington Park & Smith Mountain Lake State Park; museums like the Booker T Washington Museum; wineries such as Chateau Morrisette Winery; theaters such as Harvester Performance Center; trails like Blackwater Creek Trail; attractions like Rocky Mount Children’s Museum; art galleries like Franklin County Arts Council Gallery; restaurants such as Rhonemus’ Restaurant & Pub; shops like Fincastle Antiques & Collectibles; farms such as Windy Hill Farm Market & Bakery; golf courses including Westlake Golf Course ;and other popular destinations around town that make it an attractive place to live or visit!

Population: 4,066
Males: 1,868 (45.9%), Females: 2,198 (54.1%)

Franklin County

Zip code: 24151

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.9 years
Median household income: $26,927
Median house value: $79,700

Population by Race

Races in Rocky Mount:

White Non-Hispanic (74.0%)
Black (22.3%)
Hispanic (1.7%)
Two or more races (1.3%)
Vietnamese (0.6%)

Ancestries: United States (15.5%), English (9.4%), German (7.4%), Irish (6.5%), Scottish (4.6%), Italian (2.3%).

Elevation: 1200 feet

Land area: 4.6 square miles

Population by Education

Rocky Mount, Virginia is a small town located in Franklin County, with a population of around 5,500 people. It is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is home to a number of historic sites. The town has a unique blend of rural and urban characteristics that make it an attractive place to live.

The population of Rocky Mount consists mainly of Caucasian individuals, with African-Americans making up the second largest ethnic group. The median age is 42 years old, with the majority of people between 25 and 44 years old. The median household income for Rocky Mount is $46,000 per year and the poverty rate stands at 14%. The town has a vibrant business community with many small businesses and restaurants located throughout. There is also a strong agricultural industry that provides local produce to nearby cities and towns. Education levels are high in Rocky Mount, with nearly 90% having graduated from high school or higher. In addition to this, there are several colleges within close proximity to Rocky Mount that offer higher education opportunities for those looking to pursue further studies. Overall, Rocky Mount offers residents an ideal combination of rural charm and modern amenities that make it an attractive place to live and work.

For population 25 years and over in Rocky Mount

High school or higher: 64.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.0%
Unemployed: 7.3%
Mean travel time to work: 16.8 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Rocky Mount town

Never married: 23.6%
Now married: 47.3%
Separated: 4.1%
Widowed: 14.9%
Divorced: 10.1%

0.6% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Rocky Mount:

CARILION FRANKLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (124 FLOYD AVENUE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Rocky Mount:

CARILION MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; ROANOKE, VA)
MEMORIAL HOSP MARTINSVILLE (about 23 miles; MARTINSVILLE, VA)
COLUMBIA LEWIS-GALE MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; SALEM, VA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Rocky Mount:

ROANOKE REGIONAL/WOODRUM FIELD (about 23 miles; ROANOKE, VA; Abbreviation: ROA)
DANVILLE REGIONAL (about 49 miles; DANVILLE, VA; Abbreviation: DAN)
LYNCHBURG REGIONAL/PRESTON GLENN FLD (about 53 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Abbreviation: LYH)

Other public-use airports nearest to Rocky Mount:

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE (about 23 miles; MONETA, VA; Abbreviation: W91)
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY (about 38 miles; EDEN, NC; Abbreviation: 8N0)
VIRGINIA TECH (about 38 miles; BLACKSBURG, VA; Abbreviation: BCB)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rocky Mount:

VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 19 miles; ROANOKE, VA; Full-time enrollment: 3,535)
NATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE (about 24 miles; SALEM, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,382)
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIV (about 35 miles; BLACKSBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 25,754)
RADFORD UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; RADFORD, VA; Full-time enrollment: 8,034)
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY (about 53 miles; LYNCHBURG, VA; Full-time enrollment: 5,348)
NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 55 miles; DUBLIN, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,262)
WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (about 62 miles; LEXINGTON, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,063)

Schools

Public high school in Rocky Mount:

FRANKLIN COUNTY HIGH (Students: 2,134; Location: 700 TANYARD RD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Rocky Mount:

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY (Students: 149; Location: 625 GLENNWOOD DR; Grades: PK – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Rocky Mount:

BEN. FRANKLIN MIDDLE-WEST (Students: 904; Location: 225 MIDDLE SCHOOL ROAD; Grades: 07 – 08)
BEN. FRANKLIN MIDDLE-EAST (Students: 600; Location: 375 MIDDLE SCHOOL RD; Grades: 06 – 06)
SONTAG ELEM. (Students: 318; Location: 3101 SONTAG RD; Grades: PK – 05)
CENTER FOR APL TECH&CAREER EXPL (Students: 315; Location: 150 TECHNOLOGY DR; Grades: 08 – 08)
LEE M. WAID ELEM. (Students: 306; Location: 540 E COURT ST; Grades: PK – 05)
ROCKY MOUNT ELEM. (Students: 287; Location: 555 SCHOOL BOARD RD; Grades: PK – 05)

Libraries

Library in Rocky Mount:

FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $493,465; Location: 120 EAST COURT STREET; 85,950 books; 3,102 audio materials; 1,951 video materials; 294 serial subscriptions)