Rowan County Demographics

A map of Rowan County's Population by Race

Rowan County, North Carolina had a population of 146,875 in 2020. It was 68.2% White, 15.5% Black, 1.0% Asian, 10.9% Hispanic, 0.7% Native American/Other, and 3.8% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Rowan County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Rowan County is the 20th most populous county of the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Rowan County's White Population

100,135 residents of Rowan County identify as White, or 68.2%. This makes the White share of the population of Rowan County slightly larger than the White share of the population of North Carolina (60.5% White). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #47 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more White than neighboring Cabarrus County (59.2% White). Rowan County is less White than neighboring Davie County (81.5% White), Davidson County (76.7% White), Iredell County (73.1% White), and Stanly County (77.8% White).

Rowan County's Black Population

22,730 residents of Rowan County identify as Black, or 15.5%. This makes the Black share of the population of Rowan County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of North Carolina (20.2% Black). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #53 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more Black than neighboring Davie County (5.6% Black), Davidson County (9.4% Black), Iredell County (11.4% Black), and Stanly County (11.2% Black). Rowan County is less Black than neighboring Cabarrus County (18.5% Black).

Rowan County's Asian Population

1,505 residents of Rowan County identify as Asian, or 1.0%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Rowan County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of North Carolina (3.3% Asian). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #37 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more Asian than neighboring Davie County (0.6% Asian). Rowan County is less Asian than neighboring Cabarrus County (5.3% Asian), Davidson County (1.4% Asian), Iredell County (2.5% Asian), and Stanly County (1.8% Asian).

Rowan County's Hispanic Population

15,940 residents of Rowan County identify as Hispanic, or 10.9%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Rowan County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #26 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more Hispanic than neighboring Davie County (7.9% Hispanic), Davidson County (8.2% Hispanic), Iredell County (8.5% Hispanic), and Stanly County (4.9% Hispanic). Rowan County is less Hispanic than neighboring Cabarrus County (12.1% Hispanic).

Rowan County's Native American/Other Population

1,050 residents of Rowan County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.7%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Rowan County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #55 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Davie County (0.5% Native American/Other), Iredell County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Stanly County (0.6% Native American/Other). Rowan County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cabarrus County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Rowan County's Multiracial Population

5,515 residents of Rowan County identify as Multiracial, or 3.8%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Rowan County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Rowan County is ranked #42 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Rowan County is more Multiracial than neighboring Davidson County (3.6% Multiracial), and Stanly County (3.7% Multiracial). Rowan County is less Multiracial than neighboring Cabarrus County (4.1% Multiracial), and Iredell County (4% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.