Rockingham is the county seat for Richmond County, nicknamed the Star of the Sandhills for its past as a booming mill town and NASCAR destination. Times have changed, and Rockingham has become a quiet, rural town, but growth is on the horizon. “We’re getting a lot of people relocating from California, Texas and even Charlotte, and the reason is because we’re a small town,” says Blake Altman, a Realtor with Keller Williams Pinehurst who grew up in Rockingham. “We don’t have all the traffic, and we don’t have all the hustle and bustle. You can get a home with some land. Some people are tired of Charlotte’s congestion, so they retire here or move in because the real estate is very affordable.”
The Rockingham Dragstrip and The Rockingham Speedway are popular destinations. The speedway, nicknamed The Rock, hosted NASCAR races from 1969 until 2007. Residents waited years for the races to return, and the first NASCAR race in nearly 20 years is set for Easter weekend 2025. “It’s huge for the community,” Altman says. “As a little boy, I grew up going to the racetrack. We always hoped they would bring it back, and they finally announced the races are coming back.”
The population of Rockingham was 9,243 at the 2020 census.
The first NASCAR race Rockingham in nearly 20 years is set for Easter weekend 2025.
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Lower home prices than surrounding areas
Bungalows and ranch-style homes are common, with large lots and no sidewalks to take up yard space. There are also Victorian homes from the early 1900s near Rockingham’s historic district. Altman points out the more popular neighborhoods often include Richmond Park and areas like Weatherstone and Lakestone. The median home price is $200,000, much lower than the national median.
Altman mentions Mirage Enterprises is developing a brand-new subdivision in Rockingham, showing how the city is ready for growth. The new homes are expected to sell quickly. “I think NASCAR will help, but we’re also about 30 minutes from Moore County,” Altman says. “That’s a massive area that’s growing rapidly, and that growth is going to come down the highway into Rockingham.” FBI data shows Rockingham Police had a roughly 3% increase in reported violent crimes between 2022 and 2023, while reported nonviolent crimes had a roughly 2% decrease.
Bungalow style homes are among the most common in Rockingham.
Brick ranch homes on large lots are a popular choice in Rockingham.
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Discovery Place sparked growth downtown
Health care, manufacturing and retail are the leading industries in town. The Discovery Place Kids Museum opened a branch downtown in 2013, and the location’s success spurred downtown growth as new family-owned businesses and restaurants opened close to the museum. “There’s a lot of southern hospitality in Rockingham,” Altman says. “I’ve relocated some New Yorkers, and we joke about how people hold doors and wave when you ride by. And they ask, ‘Who are they waving at?’ And I say, ‘They’re just waving because they’re nice.’ That’s what we do in the south.” Chain grocery stores and restaurants line East Broad Avenue.
The Discovery Place Kids Museum opened a branch in downtown Rockingham in 2013.
You can find newly family-owned business like Simply Chic Boutique in Downtown Rockingham.
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Highly rated Richmond County schools
The Richmond County Schools district serves Rockingham and earns a B from Niche. Students can apply to Richmond Early College High School, which gets an A and is the highest-ranked school in the district. The campus neighbors Richmond Community College, which receives a B.
The West Rockingham Elementary School is a public school that is part of the Richmond County School district, North Carolina.
The Richmond Early College High School offers high school students the chance to earn an associate degree along with their North Carolina high school diploma.
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Floating down Little Carr Creek and holiday celebrations
The Hitchcock Creek Blue Trail and Greenway has parking spaces near a playground and Little Carr Creek. Visitors kayak down the 14-mile blue trail or enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the forested area. Rockingham experiences all four seasons, often with humid summers and mild winters. Christmas on the Square was postponed for three years after COVID but returned to excited crowds. The event usually features a parade downtown, high school band performances, food trucks and a lineup of vendors. Many residents also head south to Hamlet for the Seaboard Festival every April, which usually has a 5K run, performances from local dance troupes and local vendors.
The Hitchcock Creek Blue Trail and Greenway is a great spot to enjoy nature.
You can explore the ruins at The Great Falls Mill along the Little Carr Creek in Rockingham.
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Routes to Pinehurst and beyond
Rockingham is a car-dependent city, but the access to interstates and highways eases commuting. U.S. Route 1 cuts through downtown and merges with U.S. Route 220. Route 1 also leads drivers to Interstate 74, which runs about 70 miles west to Charlotte.
Public transportation is limited to on-demand shuttle services provided by Area of Richmond Transit. Many of the city’s medical facilities and nursing homes neighbor the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital – Richmond on South Long Drive. Churches make up most of Rockingham’s places of worship, mainly centered around downtown.
Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
Video By
Bridgette Cyr
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Rockingham, NC sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Rockingham, NC over the last 12 months is $97,500, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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