Population 149,875 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Rowan County
Household size in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.53 | 2.60 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.58 | 2.68 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.59 | 2.67 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.62 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | +0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Rowan County run a little small, averaging 2.52 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west. Compared with other North Carolina counties, though, Rowan County has larger households than most.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 36.7 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.4 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.0 | 38.6 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.4 | 38.8 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +2.0 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
At 41.4, the median age in Rowan County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is older than in the wider Charlotte area, where the median age is 38.8. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.1, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.4% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 12.7% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 11.3% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Rowan County than nationally: 12.7%, against 11.6%. Rowan County has a higher share of single-parent households than most North Carolina counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Rowan County
Renters in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.6% | 30.9% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.2% | 33.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.7% | 34.3% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.7% | 34.1% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | +3.2 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Rowan County own their homes; 27.7% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 40.1% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.8% | 10.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 10.0% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.4% | 8.6% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 8.3% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −2.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in Rowan County as nationally: 9.9%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the Charlotte area as a whole (8.3%). Vacancy is down 1.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1986 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1978 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1989 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1994 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +8 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Rowan County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1981, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are older than in the wider Charlotte area, where the median home dates to 1994. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the northeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $662 | $875 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $712 | $966 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $760 | $1,127 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,054 | $1,552 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$392 | +$678 | +$528 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Rowan County costs $1,054 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $392 a month since 2006–10, up 59%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Rowan County
Bachelor's degrees in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.7% | 30.6% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 32.4% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 35.9% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.0% | 40.6% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +10.0 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Rowan County: 23.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.3 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the south.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.9% | 85.8% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.9% | 87.3% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.3% | 89.2% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 90.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +4.8 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Rowan County is close to the national rate: 89.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the Charlotte area overall (90.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.1 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Rowan County
| Period | Rowan County | Charlotte area | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 9.1% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 10.8% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.3% | 5.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 4.3% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −4.8 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Rowan County is close to the national rate: 5.2% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the wider Charlotte area (4.3%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.2 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Rowan County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan County | 2.52 | 41.4 | 12.7% | 27.7% | 9.9% | 1981 | $1,054 | 23.0% | 89.0% | 5.2% |
| Iredell County | 2.62 | 40.9 | 10.5% | 28.1% | 9.3% | 1994 | $1,373 | 35.2% | 91.8% | 4.2% |
| Randolph County | 2.58 | 41.3 | 11.2% | 27.5% | 9.4% | 1985 | $915 | 17.9% | 84.3% | 3.4% |
| Catawba County | 2.48 | 41.6 | 12.8% | 27.8% | 9.8% | 1984 | $1,007 | 25.9% | 88.0% | 3.7% |
| Burke County | 2.38 | 44.4 | 10.1% | 25.5% | 9.9% | 1980 | $912 | 21.7% | 85.7% | 4.4% |
| Chatham County | 2.48 | 47.2 | 7.5% | 19.4% | 8.3% | 1997 | $1,436 | 49.9% | 91.0% | 3.1% |
| McDowell County | 2.38 | 44.8 | 10.8% | 24.4% | 14.5% | 1983 | $823 | 17.4% | 85.4% | 3.9% |
| Wake County | 2.62 | 38.3 | 9.1% | 35.9% | 7.7% | 1999 | $1,758 | 57.6% | 94.0% | 4.1% |
| Buncombe County | 2.70 | 43.5 | 9.2% | 33.8% | 23.3% | 1988 | $1,316 | 45.2% | 92.6% | 4.1% |
| Johnston County | 2.79 | 38.0 | 10.4% | 23.9% | 6.9% | 2000 | $1,394 | 29.8% | 91.1% | 3.7% |
| Haywood County | 2.33 | 47.7 | 9.5% | 25.1% | 21.9% | 1980 | $1,069 | 29.6% | 91.3% | 3.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Canadian County, OK · Wright County, MN · Wilson County, TN · Washington County, MD · Tolland County, CT · Taylor County, TX · Sussex County, NJ · Schuylkill County, PA · Santa Fe County, NM · Sandoval County, NM
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Rowan County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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