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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Rowan County

North Carolina · 138,428 residents · 511.61 sq mi
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The short version

Rowan County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $43,596. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $125,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 39.1
US median: 37.2
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
138,428
+6%since 2000
from 130,340 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
271 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 255 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.1
+7%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
107K118K130K142K154K1990201020202024Rowan County
2024150K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,596
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,494 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,525
+19%since 2000
from $18,071 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
24.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
16.3%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.434
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 7%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,100
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$666
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $496 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
46.0%
−27.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
30.4% rent
Vacancy rate
11.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.5% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 39.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.9
+22%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-Hispanic78.1%(101,859)
Black15.7%(20,440)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(5,369)
Asian0.8%(1,086)
Other0%
Diversity Score43.4%(56,556)
2010
White, non-Hispanic73.7%(101,986)
Black16%(22,153)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(10,644)
Asian1%(1,353)
Other2.1%(2,912)
Diversity Score53.8%(74,450)
Diversity Score
54
+24%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 14.2% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
4.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.7 min
+45%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
84.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
10.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
26.8%
−30.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.8%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.2%
−37.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rowan County

Berrien County
Pop 152,444
Penobscot County
Pop 157,967
Warren County
Pop 149,375
Monroe County
Pop 143,345
Places similar to Rowan County
Head to head

Compare Rowan County to nearby counties

ROWAN COUNTY VS
Cabarrus County
Income$89,005+104%
Home value$354,800+184%
Population249,725+61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Davie County
Income$75,057+72%
Home value$253,900+103%
Population45,855−70%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Davidson County
Income$64,172+47%
Home value$219,100+75%
Population180,182+16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ROWAN COUNTY VS
Iredell County
Income$81,419+87%
Home value$321,400+157%
Population211,798+37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rowan County, North Carolina?

Rowan County, North Carolina has about 138,428 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rowan County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Rowan County, North Carolina earns about $43,596 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 $125,100, and the typical rent is about $666 a month.

How educated are people in Rowan County, North Carolina?

About 17.0% 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 16.3% 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 27,823 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

31 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 514Census Tract 517Census Tract 510.01Census Tract 511.01Census Tract 510.02Census Tract 516Census Tract 513.03Census Tract 512.01Census Tract 509.03Census Tract 515.01Census Tract 513.02Census Tract 502.02Census Tract 512.04Census Tract 519.01Census Tract 518.02Census Tract 502.01Census Tract 509.01Census Tract 503Census Tract 512.02Census Tract 505
14 ZIP codes
ZIP 28146ZIP 28144ZIP 28147ZIP 28023ZIP 28138ZIP 27013ZIP 28071ZIP 28159ZIP 28088ZIP 28125ZIP 27054ZIP 28072ZIP 28039ZIP 28041
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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