State and local protected areas

• Lower Fishing Creek Game Land (part)^[12]
• Tar River Game Land^[13]

Major water bodies

• Cokey Swamp
• Deep Creek
• Fishing Creek
• Swift Creek
• Tar River
• Town Creek

Adjacent counties

• Halifax County – north
• Martin County – east
• Pitt County – south-southeast
• Wilson County – southwest
• Nash County – west

Major highways

Major infrastructure

• Carolina Connector Intermodal Terminal, owned by CSX Transportation^[14]
• Rocky Mount Station

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 48,900 people, 21,151 households, and 14,408 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 56,552 people living in the county. 57.4% were Black or African American, 38.8% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 2.3% of some other race and 1.0% of two or more races. 3.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[21] there were 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families living in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile (42 people/km²). There were 24,002 housing units at an average density of 48 units per square mile (19 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 57.46% Black or African American, 40.06% White, 0.20% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,392 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.20% were married couples living together, 21.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,983, and the median income for a family was $35,902. Males had a median income of $27,300 versus $21,649 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,435. About 16.00% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.50% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.

City

• Rocky Mount (largest community; partially located also in Nash County)

Towns

Townships

The county is divided into fourteen townships, which are both numbered and named:

Unincorporated communities

• Crisp
• Mercer