Rowan County, NC

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

145,784

3.41% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

40.6

0.744% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

16.8%

3.25% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$53,600

4.99% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$155,700

6.21% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

65,513

3.67% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Rowan County, NC had a population of 146k people with a median age of 40.6 and a median household income of $53,600. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Rowan County, NC grew from 140,978 to 145,784, a 3.41% increase and its median household income grew from $51,054 to $53,600, a 4.99% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Rowan County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (70.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (15.8%), White (Hispanic) (4.21%), Other (Hispanic) (2.65%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.51%).

None of the households in Rowan County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.5% of the residents in Rowan County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Rowan County, NC are Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (1,917 degrees awarded in 2021), Catawba College (278 degrees), and Livingstone College (116 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Rowan County, NC was $155,700, and the homeownership rate was 70.1%.

Most people in Rowan County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Rowan County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Rowan County, NC borders Cabarrus County, NC, Davidson County, NC, Davie County, NC, Iredell County, NC, Montgomery County, NC, and Stanly County, NC.

United States North Carolina Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Population & Diversity

Rowan County, NC is home to a population of 146k people, from which 96.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.8% of Rowan County, NC residents were born outside of the country (6.99k people).

In 2021, there were 4.48 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (103k people) in Rowan County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 23.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 6.13k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.5%

2021 Citizenship

96.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96.5% of Rowan County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Rowan County, NC was 96.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Rowan County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rowan County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
103k ± 328
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
23.1k ± 585
White (Hispanic)
6.13k ± 1.12k

9.41%

Hispanic Population

13.7k people

9.41% of the people in Rowan County, NC are hispanic (13.7k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Rowan County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

4.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

6.99k people

4.63%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.53k people

As of 2021, 4.8% of Rowan County, NC residents (6.99k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rowan County, NC was 4.63%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Rowan County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,429 ± 385
Gulf War (2001-)
1,658 ± 327
Gulf War (1990s)
1,570 ± 286

Rowan County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.07 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Rowan County, NC employs 65.5k people. The largest industries in Rowan County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (10,679 people), Manufacturing (10,644 people), and Retail Trade (7,625 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($92,985), Utilities ($70,840), and Finance & Insurance ($57,917).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

65.5k

2021 Value

± 2,273

3.67%

1 Year growth

± 4.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rowan County, NC grew at a rate of 3.67%, from 63.2k employees to 65.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rowan County, NC, are Production Occupations (7,164 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,419 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (5,616 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rowan County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

65.5k

2021 Value

± 2,273

3.67%

1 Year growth

± 4.64%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rowan County, NC grew at a rate of 3.67%, from 63.2k employees to 65.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rowan County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (10,679 people), Manufacturing (10,644 people), and Retail Trade (7,625 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rowan County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Rowan County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,039

Median earning men ± $1,496

$30,663

Median earning women ± $1,482

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($66,344), Information ($64,355), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,907).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($43,315), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,861), and Public Administration ($42,747).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

854
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
833
Manufacturing
508
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.53M
Manufacturing
$634k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$186k
Wholesale Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Rowan County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 67.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (31.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.786%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (67.2%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (31.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.786%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Rowan County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Rowan County, NC awarded 2,339 degrees. The student population of Rowan County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 7,070 male students and 10,844 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Rowan County, NC are White (1,424 and 61.8%), followed by Black or African American (481 and 20.9%), Hispanic or Latino (223 and 9.68%), and Unknown (65 and 2.82%).

The largest universities in Rowan County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (1,917 and 82%), Catawba College (278 and 11.9%), and Livingstone College (116 and 4.96%).

The most popular majors in Rowan County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (399 and 17.1%), Information Technology (290 and 12.4%), and General Business Administration & Management (138 and 5.9%).

The median tuition cost in Rowan County, NC for private four year colleges is $24,149.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Rowan County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 53.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 14.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 17,914 (39.5% men and 60.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 17,914 students enrolled in Rowan County, NC, 39.5% men and 60.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,512 records, of which 61.3% were women and 38.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
88 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
395 degree-majors awarded
Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
95 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Rowan County, NC was Registered Nursing with 88 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Rowan County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
1,917 degrees awarded
Catawba College
278 degrees awarded
Livingstone College
116 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with 1,917 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,010 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Rowan County, NC, which is 0.76 times less than the 1,329 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,424 degrees mean that there were 2.96 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 481 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($24,149) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,379) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Rowan County, NC was $155,700 in 2021, which is 0.636 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $146,600 to $155,700, a 6.21% increase. The homeownership rate in Rowan County, NC is 70.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Rowan County, NC have an average commute time of 26.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rowan County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Rowan County, NC is $53,600. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Rowan County, NC was Census Tract 505 with a value of $80,000, followed by Census Tract 509.04 and Census Tract 512.02, with respective values of $76,111 and $70,838.

In 2022, 13.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rowan County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.27%.

Housing

Property

$155,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,660

$38,871

Median Property Taxes

±$1,635

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rowan County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Rowan County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.1%

Homeownership

2021

67.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 70.1% of the housing units in Rowan County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rowan County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 505
Census Tract 509.04
Census Tract 512.02

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Rowan County, NC was Census Tract 505 with a value of $80,000, followed by Census Tract 509.04 and Census Tract 512.02, with respective values of $76,111 and $70,838.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Rowan County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,600

Median Household Income

± $1,541

55.5k

Number of Households

± 1,975

In 2021, the median household income of the 55.5k households in Rowan County, NC grew to $53,600 from the previous year's value of $51,054.

The following chart displays the households in Rowan County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Rowan County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (81.9%)
Carpooled (9.66%)
Worked At Home (5.24%)

In 2021, 81.9% of workers in Rowan County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.66%) and those who worked at home (5.24%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Rowan County, NC have a shorter commute time (26.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.57% of the workforce in Rowan County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Rowan County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Rowan County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rowan County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 13.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rowan County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.27%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rowan County, NC (23.8k out of 142k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rowan County, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 22.2% of the children was living in poverty in Rowan County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 391 in Rowan County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 62.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

88.3% of the population of Rowan County, NC has health coverage, with 40.1% on employee plans, 20.5% on Medicaid, 12.9% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 1.94% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Rowan County, NC see 2450 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (2478 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2096 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 424 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,450 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Rowan County, NC

Primary care physicians in Rowan County, NC see an average of 2,450 patients per year. This represents a 1.13% decrease from the previous year (2,478 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Rowan County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.9% under 18 years, 19.7% between 18 and 34 years, 39.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.7%

Uninsured

40.1%

Employer Coverage

20.5%

Medicaid

12.9%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

1.94%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rowan County, NC grew by 2.81% from 11.4% to 11.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Rowan County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 46.2 in Rowan County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Rowan County, NC.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 34.5% in Rowan County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Rowan County, NC.

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function