County · North Carolina
Rowan County, North Carolina
Rowan County, North Carolina. Rowan County had 155,096 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.6% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 12 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 31 census tracts. GEOID 37159.
Rowan County is one of the 11 counties of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
155,096
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 146,875 · ACS 2020-2024: 149,875
Median household income
$65,725
±$2,025 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$238,400
±$7,874 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,013
±$35 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Rowan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 146,875 residents in Rowan County. The Census Bureau estimates 155,096 for July 1, 2025, up 5.6% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 149,875 over 512 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rowan County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 149,875 | 10,730,404 | +9,579 |
| Households | 58,899±715 | 4,282,345 | +6,056 |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 64,975±53 | 4,895,668 | +3,333 |
Rowan County's population since 2000
From 130,340 in 2000 to 155,096 in 2025: up 19.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rowan County?
Rowan County holds 12 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Salisbury with 36,879 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salisbury | 35,540 | $53,716 |
|---|---|---|
| Kannapolis | 53,114 | $73,836 |
| China Grove | 4,434 | $54,083 |
| Landis | 3,690 | $75,000 |
| Spencer | 3,308 | $65,465 |
| Granite Quarry | 2,984 | $57,981 |
| Enochville | 2,893 | $66,225 |
| Rockwell | 2,302 | $69,632 |
| East Spencer | 1,567 | $34,417 |
| Cleveland | 846 | $58,750 |
| FaithGEOID 3722600 | 819 | $139,844 |
| Gold HillGEOID 3726800 | 372 | $73,187 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rowan County?
The median resident of Rowan County is 40.4 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 15.5%. 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rowan County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.9% | 11.3% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.8%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 15.5%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.6 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.3%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±1.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.3%±0.9 pts | 9.9% | −2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.9%±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.3%±1.5 pts | 35.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rowan County earn?
Half of Rowan County's 58,899 households earn less than $65,725 a year (±$2,025), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $61,340 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,385 after inflation. 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rowan County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,725±$2,025 | $72,388 | +$4,385 |
| Mean household income | $84,650±$3,206 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,667±$1,107 | $41,385 | +$2,124 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.0%±1.7 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.3%±3.9 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.0%±1.6 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rowan County?
Owners occupy 72.3% of Rowan County's occupied homes and renters 27.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,400 by its owner (±$7,874). The median renter pays $1,013 a month including utilities, and 37.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rowan County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $238,400±$7,874 | $288,900 | +$70,533 |
| Median gross rent | $1,013±$35 | $1,228 | +$63 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.8%±4.0 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,429±$32 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.3%±1.8 pts | 66.6% | +3.0 pts |
| Housing units | 64,975±53 | 4,895,668 | +3,333 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±1.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.8%±1.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.4%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rowan County building?
Builders took permits for 957 new housing units across Rowan County in 2025 (943 single-family), 6.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rowan County get to work?
78.0% of Rowan County's workers drive alone and 8.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Rowan County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.0%±1.1 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | −1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.0%±1.8 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.4%±0.9 pts | 16.3% | +4.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.2 min±0.9 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Rowan County's census tracts?
Rowan County is divided into 31 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,266 (Tract 520) to $100,893 (Tract 509.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rowan County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 35th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 100 |
| Median household income | 36th of 100 |
| Median home value | 43rd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 38th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 41st of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 52nd of 100 |
| Median age | 72nd of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rowan County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.