RANK #578 / 996 · POP 147,067 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Rowan County, North Carolina, is often recognized for its rich history, particularly in Salisbury, the county seat, which was a significant trade and political center in western North Carolina during the 18th and 19th centuries. Located in the Piedmont region, it sits approximately an hour's drive from both Charlotte and the Greensboro/Winston-Salem Triad area, offering a blend of rural landscapes and urban amenities. Commuting is facilitated by Interstate 85, which bisects the county, providing access to major transportation corridors. The county also features notable natural attractions like High Rock Lake, the second-largest lake in North Carolina, and numerous parks, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing.
Life in Rowan County offers a balance of small-town character and access to larger city conveniences. The Rowan-Salisbury School System serves nearly all of the county, with 32 schools. The local economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in advanced manufacturing, data centers, and other industrial sectors. These developments contribute to job creation and aim to diversify the economic base beyond its historical reliance on industries like textiles. The county's strategic location and transportation networks are factors in attracting new businesses.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Buck Energy Complex (Natural Gas Combustion Turbines)
Duke Energy
|
$850M | Proposed |
|
Jabil Manufacturing Facility (AI Data Center Infrastructure Support)
Jabil Inc.
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Long Ferry Road Data Center Campus (Potential)
EDC Charlotte LLC (Edged)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Oppidum Renewables USA, LLC, Strata Manager, LLC, Duke Energy)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Rowan County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #578 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.3% and a median household income of $59,717, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Rowan County is $187,300 with median rent at $925/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3188, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.3%. Home values changed +0.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.72% of Rowan County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.