Rowan County, located in the Piedmont [5] region of North Carolina, was formed in 1753 from Anson County [14] and was named for Matthew Rowan [15], the governor of North Carolina at the time of the county's establishment. Early inhabitants of the area included the Catawba [16] and Saponi [17] Indians, followed by German [18] and Scotch-Irish [19] settlers. Salisbury [20], the county seat, was incorporated in 1755 and was named after the cathedral town in England; during much of the nineteenth century, it was the largest city in western North Carolina and served as a major center of trade and politics. Other communities in the county include Spencer [21], East Spencer, China Grove, Bear Poplar, Mount Ulla, Millbridge, Faith, Craven, and part of Kannapolis [22], extending up from Cabarrus County [7]. Notable physical features of the county include the Yadkin River, High Rock Lake, Dunn Mountain, and Panther and Beaverdam Creeks.

Catawba College [23] (1851) and Livingstone College [24] (1879) are located in Rowan County, which also is home to several landmarks and historic sites, such as Old Stone House [25], the county's oldest building, constructed around 1766. This and other sites are run by Rowan Museum, Inc. Other significant landmarks include the Confederate Prison [12] and the Gold Hill Mining District [26]. Cultural institutions in Rowan County include the North Carolina Transportation Museum [27] at Spencer Shops, Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Catawba College's Shuford School of Performing Arts, and the Catawba Community Children's Chorus. The county hosts festivals and annual events such as the Rowan County Agricultural Fair, the National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Hall of Fame Awards [28], the Old Miners Jubilee, Santa Claus Special, the Rockwell Craft Festival, and Take Pride in Granite Day.

Rowan County produces agricultural goods such as horticultural crops and livestock. Manufactured products include polyester fiber, trucks, textiles, yarn, furnaces, furniture, and mobile homes. The population of Rowan County was estimated to be 133,000 in 2004.