What are the schools like in Rockwell, NC?

Rockwell is served primarily by Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The district operates 17 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 8 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.3:1.

What is the median household income in Rockwell?

The median household income in Rockwell, NC is $62,656 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.2%.

What is the weather like in Rockwell, NC?

Rockwell has an average high temperature of 50.2°F in January and 88.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 46.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 2.4 inches.

Rockwell, NC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Rockwell, NC affordable or expensive?

Rockwell's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rockwell is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $193,800 and the median rent is $855 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Rockwell, NC?

Rockwell has a violent crime rate of 358.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1649.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Rockwell, NC a Good Place to Live?

Rockwell is a small town of 2,434 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $62,656 and a 6.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

Strengths: Rockwell stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Rockwell is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Rockwell city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 97.0

Rockwell's overall cost of living index is 97.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rockwell costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Rockwell, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$193,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$855	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	57.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$62,656	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Rockwell's violent crime rate is 358.9 per 100,000 residents — 6% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

358.9 /100k

Property Crime

1649.0 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Rockwell is served primarily by Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.3:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rockwell, NC	National Avg
School District	Rowan-Salisbury Schools	—
Elementary Schools	17	—
Middle Schools	6	—
High Schools	8	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	25.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rockwell sees average highs of 50.2°F in January and 88.2°F in July, with 46.4 inches of annual precipitation and 2.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rockwell, NC
Average High — January	50.2°F
Average High — July	88.2°F
Annual Precipitation	46.4"
Annual Snowfall	2.4"

Demographics

Metric	Rockwell, NC	National Avg
Population	2,434	—
Median Age	38.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	28.7 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	89.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	4.4%	18.9%
Asian	0.2%	6.3%
Under 18	23.4%	22.2%
65 and over	15.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Faith, NC 4 mi Gold Hill, NC 4 mi Granite Quarry, NC 5 mi Misenheimer, NC 9 mi East Spencer, NC 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Rockwell

Rockwell, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28138

Rockwell vs Other Cities

Rockwell, NC vs Faith, NC Rockwell, NC vs Gold Hill, NC Rockwell, NC vs Granite Quarry, NC Rockwell, NC vs Misenheimer, NC Rockwell, NC vs East Spencer, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rockwell, NC affordable or expensive?

Rockwell's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Rockwell roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $193,800 and median rent is $855/month.

What is the crime rate in Rockwell, NC?

Rockwell's violent crime rate is 358.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1649.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Rockwell?

Public schools in Rockwell are operated by Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The district has 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 8 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.3:1. 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rockwell, NC a good place to live?

Rockwell, NC has a population of 2,434, a median household income of $62,656, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Rockwell?

Rockwell averages 50.2°F in January and 88.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.4 inches with about 2.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Rockwell?

Rockwell, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28138.

What is the population of Rockwell?

The population of Rockwell, North Carolina is 2,434 with a median age of 38.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rockwell?

Key numbers for living in Rockwell: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $193,800, median household income $62,656, crime index 88 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rockwell side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.