Your life in Rowan County, North Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Rowan County is unusual in two ways: the overdose death rate is in the top 10% of American counties (34 per 100,000) and the school test score is in the bottom 14% of American counties (2.65 where 3.0 is grade level). Within North Carolina it ranks 19th of 100 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Rowan County, North Carolina. 147,067 people live here with you. The population grew 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,106).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,717 a year, lower than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,503. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 58% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,383 a year.

Home

The median home costs $281K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $881 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $1,331 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 62% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 34 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.6 years, shorter than 75% of American counties. There are 179 active physicians in the county, about 12.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 11.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.78 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 86% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 36 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 71 and lows near 49, warmer than 66% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 73 out of 100, riskier than 73% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 17 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 6 museums.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• North Carolina tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.