Rowland, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rowland, North Carolina had a total population of 946, the 471st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $32,500, which is 55% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 55% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Rowland Quick Facts
How Rowland 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 | 972 | 946 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $31,667 | $32,500 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $108,700 | $118,000 | +8.6% |
How Rowland 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rowland Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Robeson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | 30.8% | $152,600 |
| Red Springs | 3,125 | $20,833 | 40.0% | $100,800 |
| Pembroke | 2,822 | $25,889 | 39.1% | $129,400 |
| St. Pauls | 2,688 | $36,800 | 37.8% | $111,000 |
| Fairmont | 2,463 | $36,641 | 29.0% | $106,800 |
| Maxton | 2,330 | $22,667 | 42.7% | $83,200 |
| Barker Ten Mile | 1,156 | $66,667 | 6.0% | $163,700 |
| Prospect | 907 | $110,769 | 21.7% | $100,700 |
| Parkton | 529 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $151,900 |
| Rennert | 292 | $26,875 | 33.9% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to Rowland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | $344,100 | 22.2% | 21.7% |
| Laurel Hill | 986 | $30,893 | $56,700 | 10.2% | 31.3% |
| Toast | 893 | $35,111 | $104,800 | 6.7% | 14.0% |
| South Henderson | 981 | $28,558 | N/A | 6.9% | 44.3% |
| Vanceboro | 1,030 | $34,514 | $148,400 | 9.6% | 36.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 946, Rowland's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Rowland is a small community located in North Carolina, within Robeson County. The total population is 946. It ranks as the 471st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rowland is 43.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rowland is $32,500. This is 55% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.7%. This is 159% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.5%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $118,000. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rowland is Black or African American, making up 63.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 16.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (16.9%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.9% vs 20.0%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rowland, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rowland, North Carolina?
Rowland, North Carolina has a population of 946 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rowland, NC?
The median household income in Rowland is $32,500, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rowland, NC?
The poverty rate in Rowland is 33.7%. This means approximately 309 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rowland, North Carolina?
Rowland's population is 16.9% White, 63.9% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rowland, NC?
The median home value in Rowland is $118,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Rowland, North Carolina?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Rowland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.