Rockwell, North Carolina Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by btobers · Published June 25, 2019 · Updated September 12, 2024

Rockwell, North Carolina is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The city is situated at an elevation of 1,400 feet and enjoys a mild climate year-round. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures reaching into the high 80s, while winters are cold but not too severe with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. The city has a rich history and was first settled in 1790 by a group of Quaker settlers. Rockwell then became an important stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War era and today is still home to several historic sites related to this period in history.

Politically, Rockwell leans slightly to the left with most residents voting Democratic in local elections. The city is also home to several large businesses, including an automotive parts manufacturer, a paper mill, and a medical supply company. These businesses provide jobs for many of the citizens of Rockwell as well as providing revenue for the city government.

Rockwell also has several excellent schools which include two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and a community college. All of these schools provide quality education for students from kindergarten through college level courses. In addition to these educational institutions, there are also several landmarks located within Rockwell such as the historic Rockwell Town Hall which dates back to 1835 and the Thomas Jefferson Monument which was erected in 1887 to honor Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. Finally, there are several parks located throughout Rockwell that offer citizens places to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking trails or camping grounds as well as picnic spots or playgrounds for children and families alike to enjoy year-round recreation activities.

Population: 1,971. Estimated population in July 2024: 1,982 (+0.6% change)
Males: 922 (46.8%), Females: 1,049 (53.2%)

Rowan County

Zip code: 28138

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.0 years
Median household income: $41,488
Median house value: $94,000

Population by Race

Races in Rockwell:

White Non-Hispanic (96.2%)
Hispanic (1.6%)
Other race (0.8%)
Black (0.7%)
Two or more races (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (24.0%), United States (17.6%), English (7.4%), Irish (6.3%), Dutch (4.4%), Scotch-Irish (2.8%).

Elevation: 786 feet

Land area: 1.7 square miles

Population by Education

Rockwell, North Carolina is a small rural town located in Rowan County. The population of Rockwell is approximately 2,500 people. Most of the people living in Rockwell are Caucasian and the second most populous ethnic group is African American. The median age of the town is 35 years old and the median household income is $45,000. Education levels in Rockwell vary widely with nearly one third of residents having a high school diploma or higher and one fifth having a college degree or higher.

The economy of Rockwell revolves around agriculture and small businesses. Many of the residents work in farming, forestry, retail, and manufacturing industries. There are also many restaurants and shops that provide goods for the locals as well as visitors to Rockwell. The town has several parks with playgrounds and trails for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. Additionally, there are several churches which serve as places for worship for local citizens of all faiths.

Rockwell has something to offer everyone from young families to retirees looking for a quieter lifestyle. It provides an excellent quality of life with its low crime rates and access to nature nearby. Overall it is a friendly place where you can find peace away from the hustle and bustle of city life yet still remain close enough to larger cities like Charlotte or Raleigh so that you can easily access entertainment or services when needed.

For population 25 years and over in Rockwell

High school or higher: 77.9%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Unemployed: 2.3%
Mean travel time to work: 22.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Rockwell town

Never married: 20.7%
Now married: 66.0%
Separated: 1.9%
Widowed: 4.4%
Divorced: 7.1%

0.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +305 (+18.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Rockwell:

ROWAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 10 miles; SALISBURY, NC)
NORTHEAST MEDICAL CENTER (about 16 miles; CONCORD, NC)
STANLY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL INC (about 21 miles; ALBEMARLE, NC)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Rockwell:

SMITH REYNOLDS (about 43 miles; WINSTON SALEM, NC; Abbreviation: INT)
CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL (about 44 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Abbreviation: CLT)
PIEDMONT TRIAD INTERNATIONAL (about 50 miles; GREENSBORO, NC; Abbreviation: GSO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Rockwell:

ROWAN COUNTY (about 10 miles; SALISBURY, NC; Abbreviation: RUQ)
BEAR CREEK (about 12 miles; MOUNT PLEASANT, NC; Abbreviation: N44)
DAVIDSON COUNTY (about 17 miles; LEXINGTON, NC; Abbreviation: EXX)

Amtrak stations near Rockwell:

9 miles: SALISBURY (DEPOT & LIBERTY STS.). Services: partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.
16 miles: KANNAPOLIS (306 N. MAIN ST.). Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Rockwell:

ROWAN-CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 11 miles; SALISBURY, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,499)
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE (about 29 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 13,706)
CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 35 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 7,967)
WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (about 36 miles; WINSTON-SALEM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,508)
FORSYTH TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 36 miles; WINSTON SALEM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 3,271)
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY (about 39 miles; HIGH POINT, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,564)
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (about 41 miles; WINSTON SALEM, NC; Full-time enrollment: 5,944)

Public primary/middle school in Rockwell:

ROCKWELL ELEMENTARY (Students: 800; Location: 114 LINK ST; Grades: KG – 05)