As of the census of 2000, there were 1,557 people, 686 households, and 447 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,093.7 people per square mile (423.4/km²). There are 780 housing units at an average density of 547.9/sq mi (212.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.33% White, 7.13% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.
There were 686 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.77.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,400, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $31,307 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,731. About 15.7% of families and 20.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older.
Ronceverte's economic area is in the downtown section, crossed with railroad tracks for the Chesapeake & Ohio and a large floodplain that causes occasional adjustment for its citizens. Grants from Tony Hawk and the Izaak Walton League have allowed this public area to grow for the health and recreational opportunities for its citizens. A ballfield, swimming pool, children's playground and walking track appeal to all ages adjacent to a public access point of the Greenbrier area, where picnickers are welcome. The public access includes a boat launch for swimmers and fishers, and an outdoor amphitheatre. Every June this area is inundated with the Ronceverte River Festival, and in September the Outdoor Amphitheatre holds Riders of the Flood, a popular play based on the book by Pocahontas County author W. E. Blackhurst for the Riders of the Flood Nonprofit.