Rockwell, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockwell, North Carolina had a total population of 2,782, the 272nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $69,632, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rockwell Quick Facts
How Rockwell Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,688 | 2,782 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $64,141 | $69,632 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $218,800 | $237,200 | +8.4% |
How Rockwell Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rockwell Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rowan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | 26.3% | $242,500 |
| China Grove | 4,530 | $54,083 | 17.2% | $225,800 |
| Landis | 3,765 | $75,000 | 6.9% | $252,100 |
| Spencer | 3,349 | $65,465 | 11.2% | $201,700 |
| Enochville | 3,321 | $66,225 | 18.6% | $265,700 |
| Granite Quarry | 3,043 | $57,981 | 8.3% | $257,300 |
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | 26.7% | $112,000 |
| Cleveland | 1,080 | $58,750 | 17.2% | $242,600 |
| Faith | 917 | $139,844 | 3.4% | $264,000 |
| Gold Hill | 914 | $73,187 | 12.4% | $279,600 |
Cities Similar to Rockwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakboro | 2,683 | $69,100 | $282,600 | 22.3% | 5.5% |
| Wentworth | 2,692 | $68,500 | $170,300 | 18.1% | 18.1% |
| River Bend | 2,874 | $71,824 | $266,100 | 32.6% | 8.2% |
| Wilson's Mills | 2,753 | $62,813 | $241,800 | 16.7% | 31.9% |
| Fairfield Harbour | 2,948 | $72,583 | $300,600 | 38.3% | 7.1% |
Population Overview
Rockwell is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rowan County. The total population is 2,782. It ranks as the 272nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockwell is 37.2 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockwell is $69,632. This is 4% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.0%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $237,200. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rockwell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
28.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockwell, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rockwell, North Carolina?
Rockwell, North Carolina has a population of 2,782 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockwell, NC?
The median household income in Rockwell is $69,632, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockwell, NC?
The poverty rate in Rockwell is 7.0%. This means approximately 195 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockwell, North Carolina?
Rockwell's population is 78.7% White, 7.9% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockwell, NC?
The median home value in Rockwell is $237,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Rockwell, North Carolina?
28.4% of adults (25+) in Rockwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.