Rowan_County,_North_Carolina

Rowan County, North Carolina

Rowan County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 130,340. Its county seat is Salisbury.

History

The county was formed in 1753 from the northern part of Anson County. It was named for Matthew Rowan, acting governor of North Carolina from 1753 to 1754.

Originally, Rowan County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when the eastern part of it was combined with the western part of Orange County to become Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1771 the northeastern part of what remained of Rowan County became Surry County. In 1777 the western part of Rowan County became Burke County. In 1788 the western part of the now much smaller Rowan County became Iredell County. In 1822 the eastern part of the still shrinking county became Davidson County. Finally, in 1836 the part of Rowan County north of the South Yadkin River became Davie County. The "250 Fest" celebrating the 250th anniversary of Rowan County occurred in 2003.

Notable residents and natives

President Andrew Jackson practiced law in Salisbury.
Current U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole is from Salisbury.
Phil Kirk, former chairman of the North Carolina Board of Education, is a Rowan native.
Governor of North Carolina John W. Ellis was born in what was then eastern Rowan County and practiced law in Salisbury.
U.S. Senator Lee S. Overman lived in Rowan.

Law and government

Representation in the North Carolina Senate :

Senator Andrew Brock (R)

Representation in the North Carolina House of Representatives :

Representative Lorene T. Coates (D) (northern and western areas)
Representative Fred Steen (R) (southern and eastern areas)

Rowan County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 524 square miles (1,357 km²), of which, 511 square miles (1,324 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (32 km²) of it (2.40%) is water.

Geographic features

The county's eastern border is formed by the Yadkin River.

Major highways

Interstate 85 passes through the county from southwest to northeast.

Adjacent counties

Davie County, North Carolina - north
Davidson County, North Carolina - northeast
Stanly County, North Carolina - southeast
Cabarrus County, North Carolina - south
Iredell County, North Carolina - west

Demographics and economics

As of the census of 2000, there were 130,340 people, 49,940 households, and 35,507 families residing in the county. The population density was 255 people per square mile (98/km²). There were 53,980 housing units at an average density of 106 per square mile (41/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 80.02% White, 15.78% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.00% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 4.12% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 49,940 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,494, and the median income for a family was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,626 versus $23,437 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,071. About 8.10% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Townships

The county is divided into fourteen townships: Atwell, China Grove, Cleveland, Franklin, Gold Hill, Litaker, Locke, Morgan, Mount Ulla, Providence, Salisbury, Scotch Irish, Steele, and Unity.

Educational institutions

Libraries

Rowan Public Library

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Colleges

Public high schools

North Rowan High School- Cavaliers
West Rowan High School- Falcons
South Rowan High School- Raiders
Jesse Carson High School- Cougars
East Rowan High School- Mustangs
Salisbury High School- Hornets
Henderson Independent High School- Eagles

Public middle schools

C.C Erwin Middle School - Eagles
West Rowan Middle School - Bulldogs
North Rowan Middle School - Mavericks
China Grove Middle School - Red Devils
Corrier Lipe Middle School - Yellow Jackets
Knox Middle School -Trojans
Southeast Middle School - Patriots

Public elementary schools

Woodleaf Elementary School
Rockwell Elementary School- Roadrunners-
Morgan Elementary School- Broncos
Millbridge Elementary School - Musketeers
Mount Ulla Elementary School -
Cleveland Elementary School - Eagles
Elizabeth Hanford-Dole Elementary School - Bobcats
North Rowan Elementary School - Steamers
China Grove Elementary School - Cardinals
Enochville Elementary School
Bostian Elementary School
East Elementary School
Faith Elementary School - Firecrackers - "Sparkle" is the mascot's name
Granite Quarry Elementary School
Hurley Elementary School
Isenberg Elementary School
Knollwood Elementary School
Koontz Elementary School
Landis Elementary School
Overton Elementary School

Private schools

Rockwell Christian School (elementary through high school)
Salisbury Academy. - jaguars (pre-kindergarten through middle school)
Salisbury Adventist School
Cannon School (junior kindergarten through upper school; located in Concord and serves families from Kannapolis and Salisbury)
Sacred Heart Catholic School - Dolphins (elementary through middle school)
North Hills Christian School - Eagles (pre-school through high school)