Rowan County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Rowan County
state = North Carolina

---

map size = 250
founded = 1753
seat = Salisbury | area_total_sq_mi =524
area_land_sq_mi =511
area_water_sq_mi =13
area percentage = 2.40%
census yr = 2000
pop = 130340
density_km2 =98
web = www.co.rowan.nc.us
|

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 SalisburyGR|6.

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. [http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-47]
*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. [http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-12]
*U.S. Senator Lee S. Overman lived in Rowan. [http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-27]

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.
* [http://www.rowancountync.gov/ Rowan County Government]
* [http://www.rowansheriff.org Rowan County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.salisburyncpd.org Salisbury Police Department]
* [http://www.townoflandis.com/police-dept/index.html Landis Police Department]
* [http://www.cgpolice.com China Grove Police Department]
* [http://www.rowancounty911.com Rowan County 9-1-1]

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 censusGR|2 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

*China Grove
*Cleveland
*East Spencer
*Enochville
*Faith
*Granite Quarry
*Kannapolis
*Landis
*Rockwell
*Salisbury
*Spencer

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

* [http://www.rowanpubliclibrary.org Rowan Public Library] ggjj

Colleges

*Livingstone College
*Catawba College - [http://www.catawba.edu Official site]
* [http://www.rowancabarrus.edu/ Rowan-Cabarrus Community College]

Public high schools

* North Rowan High School- Cavaliers
*West Rowan High School- Falcons
* [http://www.southrowanfootball.com South Rowan High School- Raiders]
* [http://www.rss.k12.nc.us/Carson/Home%20Page/Index.html Jesse Carson High School- Cougars]
* [http://www.eastrowan.com 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

* [http://www.rockwellchristianschool.com Rockwell Christian School] (elementary through high school)
* [http://www.salisburyacademy.org/ Salisbury Academy.] - jaguars (pre-kindergarten through middle school)
* [http://www.salisburyadventistschool.org/ Salisbury Adventist School]
* [http://www.cannonschool.org 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)

Places of worship

*Centenary United Methodist Church
*Central Church of Christ
*Christ Episcopal Church - Cleveland
* [https://secure.lds.org/units/home/0,9781,600-1-7-109134,00.html The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] - Salisbury
*Cleveland First Baptist Church
* [http://www.coburn-umc.org/ Coburn Church, UMC]
*Cornerstone Baptist Church
* [http://www.fbcsalisbury.org/ First Baptist Church of Salisbury]
*Faith Baptist Church
*First Baptist Church of China Grove
*First United Methodist Church- Landis
*First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis
*First Baptist Church of Rockwell
* [http://www.chinagrovefumc.com First United Methodist Church - China Grove]
*Gospel Light Baptist Church
*Grace Bible Church
*Grace Lowerstone Church
* [http://www.landisbaptist.com/ Landis Baptist Church]
*Highest Praise Family Worship Center
*Immanuel Luthern Church
*Jehovah's Witnesses - Salisbury Assembly Hall
*Jehovah's Witnesses - Salisbury Midway Cong
*Jehovah's Witnesses - Salisbury Oakland Cong
* [http://www.milfordhillsmethodist.org/ Milford Hills United Methodist Church]
* [http://www.new-haven-baptist.org/ New Haven Baptist Church]
*North Kannapolis Baptist Church
* [http://www.oaklandheightsbc.org/ Oakland Heights Baptist Church]
*Salisbury Church of God
*Salisbury Seventh-day Adventist Church
*Sacred Heart Catholic Church
*South China Grove Baptist
*Stallings Memorial Baptist Church of Salisbury
*Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church
*St. John's Lutheran Church
* [http://www.stlukessalisbury.net/ St. Luke's Episcopal Church]
* [http://trinitywesleyan.net/ Trinity Wesleyan Church]
*Union Lutheran Church

ee also

*Carter County, Tennessee

References

External links

* [http://www.rowanmuseum.org/ Rowan Museum web site]
* [http://www.co.rowan.nc.us Rowan County government official website]
* [http://www.rowanpubliclibrary.org/HistoryRoom/default.htm/ Edith M. Clark History Room ]