A river city along a fall line, Roanoke Rapids gets its name from the rapids along the Roanoke River. The power of the falls sparked this city’s rise as a hub for textiles in the early 1900s. “It was a booming mill town back in the 1940s and 1950s, but then the textile businesses went overseas,” says Barney Watson, a Realtor with Lake Gaston Real Estate who’s lived in the area for nearly 30 years. The loss of the industry in the early 2000s led to an economic decline. Home to a little over 15,000 people today, Roanoke Rapids is on a path of redevelopment. The city’s top industries are healthcare and manufacturing. ECU Health North Hospital is in town, along with Smurfit WestRock, a worldwide leader in packaging. The river remains a power source, with Dominion Energy operating a hydroelectric power plant along the water.
Roanoke Rapids was once a town dominated by textile mills.
ECU Health North Hospital offers an array of medical and surgical services, including 24-hour emergency care, backed by the latest technology.
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Kit homes, mill workers’ housing and waterfront property
The median price for a single-family home is $184,000, well below the state and national median. However, waterfront properties along the Roanoke River and Roanoke Rapids Lake can top $600,000. The city’s architectural styles include small cottages, ranch-style homes, New Traditional designs and Colonial Revivals. The city has a notable collection of mill workers’ housing and kit homes from the early 1900s. As a city along a river, Roanoke Rapids has experienced flooding. In 2012, nearly 80 homes and businesses were damaged when roughly a foot of rain fell over several hours.
A sprawling waterfront property with a covered
There are many home types in Roanoke Rapids.
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Roanoke Rapids Lake in town, Lake Gaston nearby
Created by Dominion Energy’s Roanoke Rapids Hydropower dam, Roanoke Rapids Lake anchors the city’s recreational offerings. The Roanoke Rapids Lake Day Use Area is a summer hot spot for swimming and fishing, while the city boat ramp nearby provides an entry point for cruising around the water. The Roanoke River offers even more water-based adventure. The Roanoke Canal Trail provides cyclists and runners with several miles of dirt paths. The trail passes by the city’s original red brick power plant from the mid-1800s, now the Roanoke Canal Museum. Small neighborhood parks and playgrounds dot the city.
Lake Gaston, a regional vacation destination for watersports, is about 25 miles west. “The draw to this area is Lake Gaston. There’s not a lot of commercial development, but there are half a dozen restaurants you can reach by car and by boat,” says Watson, who adds that the lake is a popular second-home location for Virginians and North Carolinians.
The Roanoke Rapids Lake Day Use Area is a hot spot in the Summer, it's currently closed for winter.
The Roanoke Canal Museum sits at the trail head.
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Reviving Main Street Roanoke Rapids
National retailers and department stores sit near Interstate 95 for everyday needs. Roanoke Avenue serves as the city’s Main Street, hosting dozens of local businesses, including antique stores, dance studios and longtime restaurants. As a downtown in a rebuilding phase, some brick storefronts sit empty, but the Main Street Roanoke Rapids organization is renovating buildings and beautifying this historic district. Completed projects include a brick pedestrian crossing adorned with garden beds and a pocket park featuring murals and a sculpture.
While a small city, Roanoke Rapids serves as the home base for The Halifax County Arts Council. The organization’s downtown gallery is the centerpiece of the annual Arts on the Avenue, where the public can enjoy the works of area artists while hearing the latest tunes from local musicians.
The famous Rainbow Mural in Downtown Roanoke Rapids.
The Halifax County Arts Council is located in Downtown Roanoke Rapids.
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Roanoke Rapids Graded School District’s castle-inspired school
Roanoke Rapids Graded School District earns an overall rating of B from Niche. With about 2,900 students, this small school system has six schools. The B-minus-rated Roanoke Rapids High School rests in the city center and is unique for its Tudor Revival and Gothic-inspired architecture, which makes the building look like a medieval castle. Halifax Community College rests just outside Roanoke Rapids in the neighboring town of Weldon.
Roanoke Rapids High School is 1 of 2 high schools in the Roanoke Rapids City Schools.
Halifax Community College is a public community college in Weldon, a town in Halifax County in North Carolina.
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Quick access to Interstate 95
Roanoke Rapids is a car-dependent community. Interstate 95 runs along the city’s eastern edge, heading north to Richmond, Virginia, and south to Raleigh. Both capital cities are roughly 85 miles away. U.S. Route 158 is an east-west highway for trips to Lake Gaston. Choanoke Public Transportation Authority offers a point-to-point ride service throughout Halifax County. Raleigh-Durham International is the closest airport for a commercial flight, while Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport is nearby for private and business aviation.
Roanoke Rapids is easily accessible by several major highways.
Roanoke Rapids is known for it's historical sites and some occasional art.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Scott Brotherton
Video By
Tyler Newbold
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Phillip Johnson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Roanoke Rapids, NC sell after 168 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Roanoke Rapids, NC over the last 12 months is $149,250, down 25% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Two pristine residential lots located in Roanoke Rapids, offering close proximity to the Roanoke River and the Roanoke Rapids Trail. Ideal for those seeking a water-oriented lifestyle, these build-ready lots present an excellent opportunity to construct a custom home or invest in future residential development. No HOA currently in place, allowing for added flexibility. Parcel IDs: 0904172 and
Discover comfort and convenience in this welcoming light-filled home located within the city limits of Roanoke Rapids. It features a cozy living room, a functional kitchen with space for dining and spacious bedrooms. The open backyard offers plenty of room for outdoor activities, gardening or future enhancements. Whether you're looking for a primary residence or an investment property, this home
Take a Look! This property also includes 2091 West 10th St. and is a wonderful set up for someone wanting to have a home and business together or live in 1 side and rent the other side. It was owner occupied with a TV repair shop attached in the past. Great visibility for a business! The shop side has renovation updated with new sheet rock and is ready for you to make it your own. It is in move
The Roosevelt Plan from our Liberty Series offers an incredible amount of space, featuring 2 primary suites, 4 additional bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a 2-car garage, and 3,705 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space. This two-story home is ideal for families seeking both versatility and privacy. The main level includes a primary suite with a private bathroom, an additional bedroom, a half
This 3-bedroom brick home has been recently remodeled and is in move in condition! Features include wood floors, a spacious living room with a large picture window, making it light and bright, a dining room and kitchen with wood accented walls, and a utility room. Located on a nicely landscaped corner lot, conveniently located to shopping, schools, and restaurants. The dining room could be turned
This 4 bed, 2.5 bath, brick ranch with flexible bonus space is light, bright and in move-in condition! Located on a large corner lot with a 26 x 14 deck (new deck boards and rails in 2024) and patio for outdoor enjoyment. Features include a family room and a living room, both with a fireplace; a kitchen with a double oven and a breakfast area; a formal dining room; and a laundry room. The bonus
COUNTRY LIVING CLOSE TO TOWN! THIS HOME HAS HAD MANY UPDATES TO INCLUDE: NEW IN 2007: A 30 YEAR DIMENTIONAL SHINGLED ROOF, VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOWS. MAYTAG HEAT PUMP WAS INSTALLED IN 2008 OR 2009; THERE ARE LAMINATE FLOORS IN THE KITCHEN, DINING, AND UTILITY AREA; CERAMIC TILE FLOORS IN THE BATHROOMS. BEAUTIFUL HARD WOOD FLOORS IN THE LIVING ROOM AND 3 BEDROOMS. CARPET IN THE BONUS ROOM THE IS
The current family had this 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom, brick 2 story home custom built, and it is in pristine condition! It is situated on a half-acre lot on a quiet cul de sac, conveniently located to schools, shopping and medical facilities! On the first floor, there is a spacious foyer, formal living room and dining room, family room with fireplace, spacious kitchen with granite countertops, and a
3BR 1BA house in school district. Seller says enter the 2 bedrooms upstairs at your own risk(dead bats and bat feces). Medicaid will have to approve any offer. Lockbox on back door
Prime Location! Ready to build, CORNER LOT! Visible, cleared, seeded, level lot with road 173+/- frontage on Gregory Drive & 166 +/- road frontage on Kathryn Drive. The area's newest & fastest growing commercial/medical/business subdivision. Great location for medical or office business. Adjoining establishments within the subdivision are: Veterinarian, Dentistry Offices, Various Medical
Elizabeth RobinsonThe Pointe Realty Group (Littleton)
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