Rockwell ZIP Codes — Rowan County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Rockwell, North Carolina and it is 28138. Area code: 704/980.

ZIP codes

44.95

sq mi land

0.06

sq mi water

704/980

area code

Rockwell, NC ZIP code map

About Rockwell, NC

Rockwell is a charming city located in Rowan County, North Carolina. Known for its small-town atmosphere, Rockwell offers a close-knit community feel that appeals to both residents and visitors alike. The city is situated conveniently between larger urban areas, making it a peaceful retreat with easy access to surrounding cities.

Location & geography

Rockwell is located in the central part of North Carolina, ideally positioned near the larger city of Salisbury, which is just 7 miles to the southwest. The city is surrounded by beautiful terrain, characterized by rolling hills and lush greenery. It covers a land area of 44.95 square miles, with a small water area of 0.06 square miles, providing ample space for various outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Rockwell is defined by its friendly residents and a tight-knit community atmosphere. Predominantly residential, the city supports local industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, contributing to a stable local economy. Daily life in Rockwell is characterized by community events and a strong emphasis on family values, fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers and visitors.

Transportation

Rockwell is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 52 and North Carolina Highway 152, facilitating travel to nearby cities. The nearest airport is Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles northeast of the city. While there is no dedicated public transit system, the city's layout is pedestrian-friendly, encouraging local travel.

History

Rockwell was founded in the late 19th century, initially serving as a small agricultural hub in the region. Over the years, it has developed into a community that boasts various local industries while retaining its historical charm. Notable events include the establishment of annual community festivals that highlight the city's heritage and foster local engagement.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rockwell is that it is home to several historic sites that reflect its rich cultural heritage. Despite its small size, the city often hosts local food and craft fairs, drawing visitors from surrounding areas to celebrate regional traditions.

ZIP codes for Rockwell, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28138	Rockwell	Rowan	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,013

Population

41.9

Median age

$62,807

Median household income

$32,005

Per capita income

$176,000

Median home value

$948

Median monthly rent

69.9%

Home ownership

10.3%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

3,092

Housing units

19.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

271

Under 5

289

206

5–9

219

229

10–14

244

294

15–19

313

429

20–24

458

532

25–34

567

616

35–44

657

736

45–54

785

324

55–59

346

370

60–64

394

466

65–74

497

300

75–84

320

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,755	17.5%
18 and over	8,258	82.5%
65 and over	1,734	17.3%
Median age	41.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.2%

Two or more races 2.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Other race 0.8%

Black or African American 0.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,652	95.2%
Two or more races	210	2.1%
Hispanic or Latino	129	1.3%
Other race	86	0.8%
Black or African American	55	0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 8.4%

$15k–$25k 8.3%

$25k–$35k 9.8%

$35k–$50k 7.1%

$50k–$75k 23.3%

$75k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 16.7%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k+ 3.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	8.4%
$15k–$25k	8.3%
$25k–$35k	9.8%
$35k–$50k	7.1%
$50k–$75k	23.3%
$75k–$100k	11.8%
$100k–$150k	16.7%
$150k–$200k	8.1%
$200k+	3.8%
Median income	$62,807

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.4%

$50k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 20.3%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 17.3%

$300k–$500k 13.4%

$500k–$1M 10.4%

$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$176,000
Median rent / month	$948
Owner occupied	69.9%
Renter occupied	30.1%
Vacant	7.0%
Single-family detached	64.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	23.6%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.64

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.4%
2010–2019	3.8%
2000–2009	20.2%
1990–1999	27.9%
1980–1989	11.2%
1970–1979	12.5%
1960–1969	3.8%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	5.0%
1939 or earlier	8.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	1.5%
2 bedrooms	26.0%
3 bedrooms	59.0%
4 bedrooms	9.8%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.7%
1 vehicle	18.8%
2 vehicles	45.2%
3 or more	32.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	20.1%
Electricity	73.8%
Propane / LP gas	1.9%
Fuel oil	1.3%
Wood	2.3%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,249	56.3%
Cohabiting couple	233	5.8%
Male householder, no spouse	609	15.2%
Female householder, no spouse	903	22.6%
Households with children under 18	1,038	26.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,290	32.3%
Average household size	2.47

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.6%	20.3%
Married	57.6%	53.0%
Separated	1.8%	4.2%
Widowed	2.8%	8.6%
Divorced	13.2%	13.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.1%

Some HS, no diploma 6.7%

HS graduate 43.5%

Some college, no degree 17.9%

Associate's degree 10.2%

Bachelor's degree 16.5%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.2%
Bachelor's or higher	19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	176	8.4%
Kindergarten	86	4.1%
Elementary school	720	34.3%
High school	427	20.3%
College / grad school	692	32.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 17.7%

Manufacturing 17.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.6%

Retail trade 10.3%

Professional & management 9.2%

Construction 8.4%

Transportation & utilities 6.1%

Other services 6.1%

Public administration 5.1%

Finance & real estate 3.5%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.8%
Service	16.8%
Sales & office	17.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.5%
Production & transportation	24.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.9%
Government	17.7%
Self-employed	6.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.4%
Carpool	14.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	2.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.5

Poverty

All people 10.3%

Under 18 years 7.5%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 12.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.0%
Retirement income	25.0%
Supplemental Security	3.0%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	34.5%
Heart disease	6.7%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	2.9%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.3%
No physical activity	24.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.0%
Fair or poor health	14.3%
Poor mental health	15.3%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	17.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	61.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.7%
Teeth loss	15.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	453	5.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.7%
Under 18	5.0%
18–64 years	16.6%
65 and over	34.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.7%
Public insurance	33.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,453	94.4%
Spanish	33	0.3%
Other Indo-European	27	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	6	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,925	99.1%
Born in same state	9,925	99.1%
Born in different state	7,868	78.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	88	0.9%
Not a US citizen	68	77.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,437	14.4%
Arab	1,281	12.8%
Italian	988	9.9%
English	88	0.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	37	0.4%
Polish	15	0.1%
German	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.9%
Internet access	93.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rockwell, NC have?

Rockwell, NC has one ZIP code: 28138. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.