Rocky Mount City is located in the state of North Carolina. It is the northern headquarters of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and has major yard facilities and repair shops. The city's growth has created a lively central business district. However, the city has suffered from racial segregation and has black neighborhoods on the east side of town and white suburbs on the west. The city is also home to the birthplace of Thelonious Monk.
Rocky Mount is a small city located in Edgecombe and Nash Counties, approximately 50 miles east of Raleigh. The city was originally settled by Virginians who moved to the area after the Tuscarora Indians were driven out. In 1816, the name Rocky Mount was used to establish the area's first post office. The name is believed to have been derived from the rocky mounds near the Tar River. After the arrival of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad in 1840, Rocky Mount became an important rail center. Cotton mills near the falls were built in the city.
The city's population is split into seven council wards. Five have lost substantial population, with Ward 2 being the hardest hit. According to the latest U.S. Census, five of seven wards in Rocky Mount had reduced populations. The Rocky Mount Telegram obtained the data by requesting it from the Poyner Spruill law firm, which is overseeing the redrawing of the council wards. The firm sent the newspaper an email with instructions on how to access the data.