Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, United States [City]; population was 15,722 in 1990; housing units was 6,738 in 1990; location is 36°27'N 77°39'W; land area is 7.77 square miles (4,971 acres); water area is 0.04 square miles (23 acres); FIPS code is 56900 [SourceCBP]