HarrisDemocratic31.6%23,788TrumpRepublican67.4%50,807OliverLibertarian0.3%240
R+35.8- Lead
- 27,019
- Total
- 75,394
- vs nation
- R+34.4
- Turnout
- 68.7%
Akashiccounty
Rowan County, NC
Office (updates table and map)
President margin by year
Place winner margin
Boundary by 2024 margin · Precinct returns · VEST · MIT Election Lab
President results by year
2024 turnout 68.7% of 110,327 citizens 18+
BidenDemocratic31.5%23,114TrumpRepublican67.2%49,297JorgensenLibertarian0.8%577
R+35.7- Lead
- 26,183
- Total
- 73,408
- vs nation
- R+40.1
- Turnout
- 70.3%
ClintonDemocratic30.1%19,400TrumpRepublican66.5%42,810JohnsonLibertarian2.4%1,517
R+36.4- Lead
- 23,410
- Total
- 64,369
- vs nation
- R+38.5
- Turnout
- 62.3%
ObamaDemocratic36.3%22,650RomneyRepublican62.2%38,775OtherAll other candidates1.4%887
R+25.9- Lead
- 16,125
- Total
- 62,312
- vs nation
- R+29.7
- Turnout
- —
ObamaDemocratic38.0%23,391McCainRepublican60.8%37,451OtherAll other candidates1.2%718
R+22.8- Lead
- 14,060
- Total
- 61,560
- vs nation
- R+30.1
- Turnout
- —
KerryDemocratic32.3%16,735BushRepublican67.3%34,915OtherAll other candidates0.4%217
R+35.1- Lead
- 18,180
- Total
- 51,867
- vs nation
- R+32.6
- Turnout
- —
GoreDemocratic33.7%14,891BushRepublican65.5%28,922OtherAll other candidates0.7%320
R+31.8- Lead
- 14,031
- Total
- 44,133
- vs nation
- R+32.3
- Turnout
- —
ClintonDemocratic34.3%13,461DoleRepublican57.9%22,754PerotReform7.4%2,902
R+23.7- Lead
- 9,293
- Total
- 39,273
- vs nation
- R+32.2
- Turnout
- —
Key facts
- 2024 presidential margin
- R+35.8MIT Election Lab
- Population
- 149,8752024 5-year
- Median household income
- $65,7252024 5-year
- White (non-Hispanic)
- 67.8%2024 5-year
- Black
- 15.5%2024 5-year
- Hispanic / Latino
- 11.9%2024 5-year
- Peak Democratic margin
- D+53.4 in 1912MIT Election Lab
- Peak Republican margin
- R+49.2 in 1972MIT Election Lab
- Most similar
- Spartanburg County, SC · twin score 81.6
Midterm durability
Total general-election participants divided by same-year citizen voting-age population. These are total ballots or participating voters—not presidential candidate votes.
- 2024 total turnout
- 68.7%75,814 participants ÷ 110,327 CVAP
- 2020→2022 drop-off
- +25.1 ptsPresidential-dependent
- Drop-off versus state
- +1.5 ptsPositive means a larger decline than the statewide pattern
- Mechanical 2026 scenario
- 43.6%–47.7%Recent-cycle and two-cycle persistence scenarios; not a forecast
| Election | Participants | CVAP | Turnout | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 · Presidential | 64,369 | 103,330 | 62.3% | C/A |
| 2018 · Midterm | 47,381 | 104,212 | 45.5% | A/A |
| 2020 · Presidential | 73,649 | 104,783 | 70.3% | A/A |
| 2022 · Midterm | 49,346 | 109,274 | 45.2% | C/A |
| 2024 · Presidential | 75,814 | 110,327 | 68.7% | A/A |
Sources and methods
- 2016: numerator source 159, denominator source 157; top ticket votes; canonical-complete-contest-floor-v1; allocation share 0.0%; series 148/111.
- 2018: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 297/138.
- 2020: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 301/2.
- 2022: numerator source 159, denominator source 157; top ticket votes; canonical-complete-contest-floor-v1; allocation share 0.0%; series 154/183.
- 2024: numerator source 158, denominator source 157; total voters participating; eavs-f1a-v1:observed:native; allocation share 0.0%; series 311/228.
Precinct data
Results by precinct
41 precincts · 75,394 votes
Precinct boundaries and identifiers are cycle-specific. This table does not join rows across years without a validated crosswalk.
| Precinct -14A14A | 935 | 2,654 | 32 | 3,621 | 25.8% | 73.3% | R+47.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precinct -0404 | 628 | 2,962 | 25 | 3,615 | 17.4% | 81.9% | R+64.6 |
| Precinct -19A19A | 878 | 2,567 | 34 | 3,479 | 25.2% | 73.8% | R+48.5 |
| Precinct -05A05A | 839 | 2,475 | 42 | 3,356 | 25.0% | 73.7% | R+48.7 |
| Precinct -2525 | 518 | 2,422 | 29 | 2,969 | 17.4% | 81.6% | R+64.1 |
| Precinct -1515 | 634 | 2,121 | 27 | 2,782 | 22.8% | 76.2% | R+53.5 |
| Precinct -0808 | 802 | 1,866 | 19 | 2,687 | 29.8% | 69.4% | R+39.6 |
| Precinct -1010 | 623 | 1,912 | 26 | 2,561 | 24.3% | 74.7% | R+50.3 |
| Precinct -1111 | 835 | 1,535 | 18 | 2,388 | 35.0% | 64.3% | R+29.3 |
| Precinct -2121 | 666 | 1,487 | 25 | 2,178 | 30.6% | 68.3% | R+37.7 |
| Precinct -4444 | 330 | 1,819 | 18 | 2,167 | 15.2% | 83.9% | R+68.7 |
| Precinct -3636 | 1,224 | 779 | 29 | 2,032 | 60.2% | 38.3% | D+21.9 |
| Precinct -3434 | 1,136 | 826 | 13 | 1,975 | 57.5% | 41.8% | D+15.7 |
| Precinct -4141 | 1,058 | 828 | 34 | 1,920 | 55.1% | 43.1% | D+12.0 |
| Precinct -1313 | 295 | 1,595 | 21 | 1,911 | 15.4% | 83.5% | R+68.0 |
| Precinct -0303 | 281 | 1,604 | 15 | 1,900 | 14.8% | 84.4% | R+69.6 |
| Precinct -1717 | 668 | 1,199 | 25 | 1,892 | 35.3% | 63.4% | R+28.1 |
| Precinct -3838 | 1,146 | 687 | 32 | 1,865 | 61.4% | 36.8% | D+24.6 |
| Precinct -4040 | 1,000 | 789 | 32 | 1,821 | 54.9% | 43.3% | D+11.6 |
| Precinct -3030 | 623 | 1,100 | 21 | 1,744 | 35.7% | 63.1% | R+27.4 |
| Precinct -0909 | 265 | 1,416 | 7 | 1,688 | 15.7% | 83.9% | R+68.2 |
| Precinct -1616 | 730 | 871 | 24 | 1,625 | 44.9% | 53.6% | R+8.7 |
| Precinct -2828 | 864 | 730 | 26 | 1,620 | 53.3% | 45.1% | D+8.3 |
| Precinct -0707 | 452 | 1,112 | 17 | 1,581 | 28.6% | 70.3% | R+41.7 |
| Precinct -2626 | 238 | 1,329 | 12 | 1,579 | 15.1% | 84.2% | R+69.1 |
| Precinct -3333 | 197 | 1,317 | 11 | 1,525 | 12.9% | 86.4% | R+73.4 |
| Precinct -0101 | 233 | 1,267 | 17 | 1,517 | 15.4% | 83.5% | R+68.2 |
| Precinct -1212 | 662 | 761 | 12 | 1,435 | 46.1% | 53.0% | R+6.9 |
| Precinct -3939 | 702 | 676 | 25 | 1,403 | 50.0% | 48.2% | D+1.9 |
| Precinct -3232 | 343 | 1,038 | 15 | 1,396 | 24.6% | 74.4% | R+49.8 |
| Precinct -3131 | 359 | 1,002 | 11 | 1,372 | 26.2% | 73.0% | R+46.9 |
| Precinct -2323 | 170 | 1,171 | 18 | 1,359 | 12.5% | 86.2% | R+73.7 |
| Precinct -2424 | 232 | 1,071 | 8 | 1,311 | 17.7% | 81.7% | R+64.0 |
| Precinct -0202 | 467 | 591 | 4 | 1,062 | 44.0% | 55.6% | R+11.7 |
| Precinct -2727 | 200 | 818 | 7 | 1,025 | 19.5% | 79.8% | R+60.3 |
| Precinct -4545 | 437 | 559 | 9 | 1,005 | 43.5% | 55.6% | R+12.1 |
| Precinct -2929 | 203 | 767 | 7 | 977 | 20.8% | 78.5% | R+57.7 |
| Precinct -4242 | 770 | 64 | 20 | 854 | 90.2% | 7.5% | D+82.7 |
| Precinct -3535 | 577 | 235 | 15 | 827 | 69.8% | 28.4% | D+41.4 |
| Precinct -2222 | 87 | 704 | 11 | 802 | 10.8% | 87.8% | R+76.9 |
| Precinct -1818 | 481 | 81 | 6 | 568 | 84.7% | 14.3% | D+70.4 |
presidential history
Presidential margin, 1892–2024
Democratic minus Republican, by election
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1892 | +35.6% |
| 1896 | +35.4% |
| 1900 | +21.1% |
| 1904 | +33.0% |
| 1908 | +8.6% |
| 1912 | +53.4% |
| 1916 | +13.6% |
| 1920 | +13.6% |
| 1924 | +13.8% |
| 1928 | −24.9% |
| 1932 | +36.9% |
| 1936 | +49.7% |
| 1940 | +52.5% |
| 1944 | +24.8% |
| 1948 | +6.9% |
| 1952 | −21.6% |
| 1956 | −28.6% |
| 1960 | −15.7% |
| 1964 | +0.4% |
| 1968 | −21.9% |
| 1972 | −49.2% |
| 1976 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | −22.2% |
| 1984 | −40.6% |
| 1988 | −31.2% |
| 1992 | −16.4% |
| 1996 | −23.7% |
| 2000 | −31.8% |
| 2004 | −35.1% |
| 2008 | −22.8% |
| 2012 | −25.9% |
| 2016 | −36.4% |
| 2020 | −35.7% |
| 2024 | −35.8% |
DemocraticRepublican
Federal and statewide elections · 3 House · 37 Senate · 3 Senate special · 13 governor
U.S. House
Each row shows U.S. House votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.
U.S. Senate
Each row shows U.S. Senate votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.
U.S. Senate special elections
Each row shows U.S. Senate special votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.
Governor
Each row shows Governor votes counted inside this Place. “Vote lead” is the local lead here, not necessarily the winner of the full contest.
voter registration
Registered voters
By party of registration, over time
Party registration · 2024R+20.7
Presidential vote · 2024R+35.8
Registration leans Republican; the presidential vote runs 15 points more Democratic.
DemocraticRepublicanUnaffiliatedOther parties
| Year | Total registered | Democratic | Republican | Unaffiliated | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88,525 | 32,912 | 36,610 | 18,973 | 30 |
| 2012 | 93,961 | 32,325 | 38,270 | 23,186 | 180 |
| 2016 | 95,251 | 29,191 | 38,508 | 27,216 | 336 |
| 2020 | 97,516 | 25,458 | 41,396 | 30,026 | 636 |
| 2022 | 97,599 | 23,667 | 41,459 | 31,879 | 594 |
| 2024 | 101,923 | 22,694 | 43,752 | 34,342 | 1,135 |
domestic migration
Who moves in and out
Net migration over time, and who arrivals are — where they came from and what those places vote
+1,211 net domestic migration · 2025
20112025
Net +11,302 over 2011–2025 · gain loss
Arrivals reported $53,195 in average income, against $67,565 for residents who stayed — 21% lower. (IRS SOI, 2022–23)
The places arrivals came from lean R+6.9 on average — 29 points more Democratic-leaning than Rowan County, NC itself (R+35.8).
Where arrivals came from lean of each source
- Cabarrus County, NC1,069R+7.7
- Mecklenburg County, NC549D+32.7
- Iredell County, NC342R+32.5
- Davidson County, NC181R+46.9
- Stanly County, NC96R+50.8
- Forsyth County, NC87D+13.1
Where departures went households, 2022–23
- Cabarrus County, NC701
- Mecklenburg County, NC384
- Iredell County, NC313
- Davidson County, NC275
- Davie County, NC115
- Forsyth County, NC84
Migration is one input to a place’s political change, not its cause — a shift can also come from residents changing their minds, generational turnover, or turnout. These figures describe the places people moved between; they do not measure how any mover voted.
| Year | Net domestic migration |
|---|---|
| 2011 | −596 |
| 2012 | −388 |
| 2013 | +241 |
| 2014 | +442 |
| 2015 | +355 |
| 2016 | +805 |
| 2017 | +914 |
| 2018 | +605 |
| 2019 | +906 |
| 2021 | +1,250 |
| 2022 | +2,001 |
| 2023 | +2,194 |
| 2024 | +1,362 |
| 2025 | +1,211 |
Rowan County's economy traces its roots to textile and industrial production, and its electorate has shifted steadily rightward over the past decade, delivering a 35-point Republican presidential margin in 2024 despite a moderately sized urban center in Salisbury.
Across the recorded series it reached a Democratic high of 53.4 points in 1912 and a Republican high of 49.2 points in 1972. The 2024 margin was 35.8 points.
A population of 149,875, a 68% non-Hispanic-white share, and a median household income of $65,725 describe the county. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Spartanburg County and Gaston County.
Political twins — counties
The counties whose fingerprint — 2000–2024 trajectory, demographics, ancestry, religion — sits closest to this one, and why.
Spartanburg County
South Carolina
81.6twin score
population scale2000–2008 trajectory12-yr trend
Gaston County
North Carolina
79.4twin score
2000–2004 trajectorypopulation scale% Black
Davidson County
North Carolina
78.0twin score
population scale2000–2004 trajectory% Catholic
Twin score (0–100) = weighted cosine between tier-standardized fingerprints: presidential margins 2000–2024 with 12-yr trend and elasticity, ACS income, age, education, population and race, top reported ancestries, and religious adherence — chips name the closest-shared dimensions and the widest gap. Re-weight the groups in the twins explorer.
Browse places by community — income, education, race & ethnicity, language — all community cuts →
Compare two places, side by side
Twelve curated comparisons line up election history, demographics, and the divergence story for two places at a glance. Browse all comparisons →
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All citations released under CC BY 4.0. Attribution: Akashic Intelligence.
Rowan County, North Carolina. Akashic. https://akashic.app/county/37159/. Accessed May 20, 2026. License: CC BY 4.0.
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Frequently asked questions
How did Rowan County, North Carolina vote in 2024?
In 2024, Rowan County, North Carolina voted Republican by 35.8 points (R+35.8), carried by the Republican candidate. Out of 75,394 votes cast, 23,788 went Democratic and 50,807 went Republican.
When did Rowan County, North Carolina last vote Democratic?
The most recent presidential election in which Rowan County, North Carolina voted Democratic was 1976.
How many people live in Rowan County, North Carolina?
Rowan County, North Carolina has a population of 149,875 according to the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates from the US Census Bureau.
What is the median household income in Rowan County, North Carolina?
Median household income in Rowan County, North Carolina is $65,725 — below the national median of $80,734. The North Carolina state median is $72,388.
What is the political history of Rowan County, North Carolina?
Akashic tracks 38 presidential elections in Rowan County, North Carolina from 1876 to 2024. Of those, 16 went Democratic and 18 went Republican.