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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Rowan County

Kentucky · 24,662 residents · 279.881 sq mi
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The short version

Rowan County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,754. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $126,900. At a median age of 32.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 27.1% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,662
+12%since 2000
from 22,094 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
88 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 79 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.7
+10%since 2000
from 29.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K23K24K25K1990201020202024Rowan County
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,754
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,055 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,985
+73%since 2000
from $13,888 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.1%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
27.1%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,900
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$648
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $421 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.3%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 69.8% in 2000
37.7% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+27%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rowan County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(21,063)
Black1.5%(342)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(235)
Asian0.9%(197)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.6%(1,911)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(22,773)
Black1.5%(372)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(541)
Asian0.6%(157)
Other0.9%(229)
Diversity Score13%(3,211)
Segregation Score36.5%(9,009)
Diversity Score
13
+51%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
37
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 21.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.2%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.9 min
+33%since 2000
from 17.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 73.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.1%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 53.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.5%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.5%
−78.2 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rowan County

Burke County
Pop 24,408
Cherokee County
Pop 26,413
Cleburne County
Pop 25,672
Franklin County
Pop 25,948
Places similar to Rowan County
Head to head

Compare Rowan County to nearby counties

ROWAN COUNTY VS
Bath County
Income$56,541+32%
Home value$129,800+2%
Population13,176−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Fleming County
Income$49,307+15%
Home value$134,700+6%
Population15,787−36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Elliott County
Income$45,776+7%
Home value$123,500−3%
Population7,265−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Menifee County
Income$45,096+5%
Home value$125,800−1%
Population6,430−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rowan County, Kentucky?

Rowan County, Kentucky has about 24,662 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rowan County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Rowan County, Kentucky earns about $42,754 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rowan County, Kentucky expensive?

In Rowan County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $126,900, and the typical rent is about $648 a month.

How educated are people in Rowan County, Kentucky?

About 25.8% of adults age 25 and over in Rowan County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rowan County, Kentucky?

About 27.1% of people in Rowan County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rowan County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Rowan County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,309 residents, a change of about 21 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9502.02Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9503.02Census Tract 9502.01Census Tract 9503.01
2 ZIP codes
ZIP 40351ZIP 40313
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →