Rocky Mount, Virginia
Rocky Mount is a town of 4,950 people in Franklin County, Virginia, founded in 1786.
Why visit Rocky Mount
Townapedia lists 5 museums and landmarks, 5 parks and trails, 35 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Grassy Hill, Greer House and Rocky Mount Historic District.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 87°F; January lows average 26°F.
Weather in Rocky Mount
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount is a town in and the county seat of Franklin County, Virginia, United States. The town is part of the Roanoke metropolitan area, and had a population of 4,903 as of the 2020 census. It is located in the Roanoke Region of Virginia.
From the Wikipedia article Rocky Mount, Virginia (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Museums and landmarks5
Greer House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic house in Virginia, United States
Rocky Mount Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic district in Rocky Mount, Virginia
The Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Building in Virginia, United States
Woods-Meade House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic house in Virginia, United States
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Washington Iron Furnace
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Parks, trails and playgrounds5
Restaurants and cafes35
Applebee's
Diner · American · 1.2 mi
400 Old Franklin Turnpike, Rocky Mount
Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 11:00-23:00
Rocky Mount Smokehouse
Restaurant · Barbecue
480 Tanyard Road, Rocky Mount
Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00; Su 11:00-19:00
Hema's Italian Restaurant
Restaurant · Italian · 0.5 mi
115 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount
23 more on the map.
History
Robert Hill built a block house (fortified residence and trading post) in the 1740s, for trading with Native Americans. English settlers did not arrive until 1760. They named Rocky Mount for a steep cliff near the town. The area originally consisted of two adjacent villages, Rocky Mount and Mount Pleasant.
Washington Iron Furnace was built by James Callaway and Jeremiah Early; its site was on what is now Main Street. It was operated by Callaway's heirs and Peter Saunders until 1850, when it was damaged by a flood. Repairs and rebuilding were stopped by the breakout of Civil War.
The first court session was held at Rocky Mount in 1786 following the Revolutionary War. It was held in Callaway's home until he deeded land to the town on which to build the courthouse. The first was made of logs. Rocky Mount was assigned a post office in 1795.
The town was divided into lots in 1804. Jeremiah's son John Early represented the county (part-time) in the Virginia House of Delegates and served as sheriff. He operated a plantation nearby. The courthouse was replaced in 1831.
From the History section of Rocky Mount, Virginia on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay3
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rocky Mount/Smith Mountain Lake
Motel and hotel · 1.2 mi
395 Old Franklin Turnpike, Rocky Mount
Churches and places of worship7
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 0.6 mi
55 Highland Avenue, Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount Community Church
Church · Church Of God Of Prophecy · 0.7 mi
20 Highland Avenue, Rocky Mount
Oak Grove South Church
Church · Anabaptist · 2.2 mi
4887 Hopkins Road, Rocky Mount
Shopping4
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries11
Franklin County High School
School · 0.4 mi
700 Tanyard Road, Rocky Mount
Healthcare3
Map of Rocky Mount
77 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 26°F | 3.9 in | 3.6 in |
| Feb | 51°F | 27°F | 3.1 in | 4.9 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 34°F | 4.0 in | 2.5 in |
| Apr | 70°F | 42°F | 4.1 in | 0.2 in |
| May | 76°F | 52°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 83°F | 60°F | 4.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 87°F | 65°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 85°F | 63°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 79°F | 56°F | 5.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 70°F | 44°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 59°F | 34°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 50°F | 29°F | 4.1 in | 1.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Rocky Mt Hcn (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Franklin County has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-23: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2025-04-04: Severe Winter Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2021-05-10: Severe Winter Storms (Severe Ice Storm)
- 2020-04-02: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-12-18: Tropical Storm Michael (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 22 miles away.
- Ferrum 8 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- North Shore 14 mi east, about 23 min by car
- Penhook 14 mi east, about 22 min by car
- Cave Spring 17 mi northwest, about 27 min by car
- Bassett 18 mi south, about 28 min by car
- Roanoke 19 mi north, about 31 min by car
- Collinsville 20 mi south, about 32 min by car
- Salem 22 mi northwest, about 35 min by car
- Martinsville 22 mi south, about 36 min by car
- Hollins 24 mi north, about 38 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Franklin County Courthouse Rocky Mount Virginia, MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Woods-Meade House in Rocky Mount, Nyttend, Public domain
- Rocky Mount - Rocky Mount Historic District - 20201005174302, Drhcanary, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Greer House in Rocky Mount, Nyttend, Public domain
- The Farm, ironmaster's house in Rocky Mount, Nyttend, Public domain
- Power dam on the Pigg River just outside the Town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County, Virginia. Credit- USFWS. (8090024472), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- 2017-06-25 14 31 21 View north along Virginia State Route 122 (Booker T Washington Highway) just north of Wrays Chapel Road (Virginia State Secondary Route 859) in Rocky Mount, Franklin County..., Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Washington Iron Works Franklin County Virginia, MarmadukePercy, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Holiday list from Virginia State Parks (15977885995), vastateparksstaff, CC BY 2.0
- CVS Storefront Black Friday (10461931115), Holiday Gift Nation, CC BY 2.0
- Looking Upstream at Veterans Memorial Park Dam (8090975967), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- Close-up View of Veterans Memorial Park Dam (8090981558), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- Veterans Memorial Park Dam (8090982961), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- USFWS Biologists and Partners at a habitat restoration site (8002922846), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- Pigg River Power Dam (31253010780), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, CC BY 2.0
- Pigg River Power Dam (30815222553), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, CC BY 2.0
- Power Dam and Associated Building (8090022459), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain
- Pigg River Power Dam (31253013430), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region, Public domain
- Amanita virginiana 739828, This image was created by user Cody Morgan (Cody) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user here ., CC BY-SA 3.0
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