Rowan County

Rowan County, NC, has a population of approximately 142,088 (as of 2021). The racial composition is predominantly White (75.1%), followed by African American (16.2%), Hispanic or Latino (7.9%), and Asian (1.1%). The median age is about 41 years. The average household size is 2.54, and median household income is around $47,330. Approximately 15.8% of the population lives below the poverty line. Educational attainment includes 85.5% high school graduates and 19.7% with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

As of 2023, Rowan County, NC, has a median home value of approximately $180,000, with a year-over-year appreciation rate of around 5%. Rental rates average $950 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. The county's homeownership rate is nearly 72%, reflecting a stable housing market. Inventory has tightened, with an average of 1.5 months' supply, causing competitive conditions for buyers. Interested buyers should move swiftly due to a lower-than-average days-on-market rate of 45 days.

As of the latest update, Rowan County, NC, participates in various elections including local, state, and federal levels. Key positions often include County Commissioners, Sheriff, School Board members, and judges. Voter turnout in Rowan County for major elections typically ranges from 60% to 70%. Recent candidates for the County Commissioners included Greg Edds, Jim Greene, and Judy Klusman. State-level elections feature candidates for the General Assembly, such as Carl Ford (R) for the NC Senate and Harry Warren (R) for the NC House. Federal representatives include Senator Thom Tillis (R) and Representative Richard Hudson (R) for the 8th Congressional District. Rowan County uses multiple polling locations and offers early voting as well as mail-in ballots to accommodate its eligible voters, numbering approximately 92,000. For specific details on upcoming elections, candidates, and registration, visit the Rowan County Board of Elections website.

As of the latest available data, Rowan County, NC exhibits the following educational attainment levels:

• High school diploma or higher: Approximately 85.0% of residents aged 25 and older.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: About 18.5%.

In comparison, the national averages according to the U.S. Census Bureau are:

• High school diploma or higher: 88.5%.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 32.1%.

For North Carolina:

• High school diploma or higher: 87.8%.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.3%.

Rowan County falls below both national and state averages in terms of high school and bachelor's degree attainment. These figures suggest that while a significant portion of the population has completed high school, there is a notable gap in higher education levels relative to broader averages.

As of the latest data, Rowan County, NC, boasts an employment rate of approximately 95.5%, with the unemployment rate around 4.5%. The labor force totals around 70,000 individuals. Key industries include manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and educational services.

Manufacturing accounts for roughly 20% of employment, significantly higher than the national average of about 8.5% and the North Carolina state average of 10.4%. Healthcare and social assistance employ about 15% of the workforce, close to the national average of 14.8%. Retail trade employs around 13%, slightly above the national average of 10.7%.

Comparatively, Rowan County's emphasis on manufacturing is notable when juxtaposed against broader state and national trends, reflecting its industrial base.

Sources often include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and local economic development reports.

As of the most recent data, Rowan County, NC, has a median household income of approximately $47,500. This figure is lower than both the national median household income, which is around $68,700, and the North Carolina state median of approximately $54,600.

Rowan County's income levels reflect regional economic conditions that are below state and national averages. Several factors, including local industries, employment rates, and education levels, contribute to this variance.

As of the most recent data available, Rowan County, NC has a mixed profile in terms of crime rates. The overall crime rate is 33.94 per 1,000 residents. Property crimes are significantly more common than violent crimes. Below is a summary table of the types of crimes along with their rates:

Residents should practice safety measures, especially concerning property crimes. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement agencies continuously work to improve safety and reduce crime rates.