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
Mahala Landin,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Roanoke Rapids, NC sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Roanoke Rapids, NC over the last 12 months is $171,750, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Imagine owning over 31 acres of land to call your own.This rare offering includes two parcels--28.73 acres and 2.32 acres--sold together.Parcels: 1205597 and 1203878.Zoned residential and full of potential, this property is the perfect blank canvas for your dream home, family estate, or long-term investment. Bring your vision. Bring your plans. Bring your offer.
Looking for space, privacy, and convenience? This brick home sits on over 8 acres with a wide-open yard, garden space, and fenced area—perfect for outdoor living, pets, or hobby farming. Relax on the front porch and enjoy the peaceful setting surrounded by nature. Inside features hardwood floors and a comfortable layout, while outside offers a storage building and a 2-car garage. All this just a
PRICE REDUCTION! 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
Commercial Opportunity | Rail-Served Property | Roanoke Rapids, NCPrime 3.428 acre commercial property located in Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County, NC, featuring over 900 feet of railroad frontage and ample road frontage for easy access and visibility.This versatile site offers city water and sewer availability and is currently generating $21,000/year in rental income, providing immediate cash flow
Discover the perfect blend of recreation and opportunity with this 72-acre tract in Halifax County, NC. Featuring a healthy stand of 7-year-old pines mixed with mature hardwoods, this property offers both natural beauty and long-term value.Ideal for the outdoor enthusiast, the land provides excellent hunting with strong populations of deer and turkey, while the swamp area offers additional
Many opportunities with this property. Motivated seller. 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
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
Affordable Roanoke Rapids Lake home situated on the Main Lake. Property has approx 150 feet of waterfront on the main lake, meets Dominion's requirements for a pier/boathouse with approval. The small subdivision is located minutes away from the NC Wildlife Boat Landing & close to all the conveniences that Roanoke Rapids has to offer. This home was custom built by TCD Construction featuring an
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)
It's time to build that home you've been dreaming of and this 1.4 acre lot in Edgewater Subdivision is the perfect location to do so! Located at the end of Knotts Lane in a quiet cul-de-sac, this property provides ample space for a stick built or modular home. While there is not a current perc test available, the property was previously found to be suitable for a 4 bedroom single family home.
PRICE REDUCED! DEVELOPER OPPORTUNITY-PRIME RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Developers are invited to explore this rare opportunity to acquire 5.79 acres of prime residential property in the Roanoke Rapids city limits. Public utilities are readily available, including water and sewer, making this tract well-suited for future development. The property includes several existing homes- some currently boarded
Kathryn Strickland WrennThe Pointe Realty Group (Littleton)
Stateside Landing at Roanoke is a 64 unit, 3 building apartment community in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. All units will be finished with solid surface wood-like flooring throughout, and carpeting in the bedrooms. Unit amenities include Energy Star appliances, washer and dryer hook-ups, ample storage space, and a balcony or patio with outside storage. Community amenities feature a clubhouse
2 bedroom, 1 bath home with living room, dining room, kitchen, and utility room. The home comes with a stove, refrigerator, washer. There is dryer hook-up. The home has central heat and air with gas pack, and has new paint and new LVP flooring downstairs. Located in the Manning Elementary, Chaloner Middle, and Roanoke Rapids High School districts. Located on corner lot. 1 Pet allowed up to
Welcome to 806 Carolina Street!This charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home is full of warmth and character. Step inside to a freshly updating flooring throughout. The spacious living room flows seamlessly into a dedicated dining area, creating a comfortable and functional layout perfect for everyday living or entertaining.Outside, you'll find a fully fenced backyard—ideal for play, or
Please click the link below to schedule a self showing (available from 8am-8pm daily):4 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom single family home in a quiet country setting. Home features a washer and dryer, refrigerator and stove in kitchen, central heat and air, and an attached 2 car garage. Must have minimum 600 credit score and 1 landlord reference to qualify.This property allows
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