Rowan County is home to 149,875 people in North Carolina. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $238,400. 6% of locals were born outside the United States. Owners hold 72% of the housing stock. Renters pay $1,013 a month at the median.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $65,725, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 40.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Rowan County
What changed most since 1990
Poverty rate9.4% → 16.0%(+6.6 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)20.4%(1,719)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)26.1%(2,199)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era35.1%(2,958)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.1%(348)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.7%(55)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 8,425 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Rowan County, decade by decade
Rowan County population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
110,605
$63,251
$129,364
11.7%
36.1
2000
130,340
$68,301
$160,306
14.2%
45.3
2010
138,428
$62,716
$179,965
17.0%
53.1
2020
146,875
$61,879
$177,685
19.8%
62.3
2024
149,875
$65,725
$238,400
23.3%
62.5
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Rowan County, North Carolina?
Rowan County, North Carolina has about 149,875 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Rowan County, North Carolina?
The typical household in Rowan County, North Carolina earns about $65,725 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Rowan County, North Carolina expensive?
In Rowan County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $238,400, and the typical rent is about $1,013 a month.
How educated are people in Rowan County, North Carolina?
About 23.3% of adults age 25 and over in Rowan County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Rowan County, North Carolina?
About 16.0% of people in Rowan County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Rowan County, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Rowan County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 39,270 residents, a change of about 36 percent over that period.
