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Salisbury, NC
City in Rowan County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28144, 28147.
Population
35,825
Land area
23.1sq mi
People per sq mi
1,551
ZIP codes
2
Salisbury and its ZIP codes
Salisbury at a glance
- Salisbury is about 7 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- It is the 29th most populous of 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- Households here earn a median of $53,716 a year, 26% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $242,500 (16% below North Carolina) and median rent is $1,071 a month.
Local data for Salisbury, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals2
- Emergency Rooms2
- Nursing Homes6
- Schools12
- Colleges4
- Libraries1
- Banks17
- Post Offices1
- Parks20
- Grocery Stores20
- Restaurants176
- Affordable Housing15
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care2
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers2
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment9
- National Cemeteries1
- Private Schools6
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Superfund Sites1
- Toxic Release Facilities7
- Historic Places23
Housing and community stats
Salisbury, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,716
Poverty rate
26.3%
Median home value
$242,500
Median rent
$1,071/mo
Homeownership
51.8%
Bachelor's or higher
29.9%
Median age
36.5
Average commute
21.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (4,560), Irish Americans (2,725), Mexican Americans (2,629).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Rowan County. PPP loans are for Salisbury.
Unemployment rate
3.6%
Aug 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$60,925
51,121 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$51,712
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.1B
FY 2026, $7,420 per person
How people get to work
Salisbury, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.2%
- Carpooled11.7%
- Public transit1.9%
- Walked1.8%
- Bicycle0.7%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.9%
- Worked from home8.7%
Average one-way commute: 21.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Salisbury, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
609
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
188
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 29°F
43.7 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone23 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Salisbury, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
39.6%
U.S. 33.3% +6.3 pts
Diabetes
14.6%
U.S. 12.1% +2.5 pts
Smoking
16.0%
U.S. 12.8% +3.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.4%
U.S. 11.1% +2.3 pts
ZIP codes in Salisbury
2 in or overlapping Salisbury. Population shown
Cities near Salisbury
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| East SpencerTown | 3.2 mi | 2.4 |
| SpencerTown | 3.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Granite QuarryTown | 3.8 mi | 2.9 |
| FaithTown | 5 mi | 1 |
| RockwellTown | 8.5 mi | 1.8 |
| China GroveTown | 8.6 mi | 4.5 |
| LandisTown | 11 mi | 3.4 |
| TyroCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 12.8 |
| CooleemeeTown | 11 mi | 0.8 |
| SouthmontCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 4.6 |
| Gold HillCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 2.5 |
| ClevelandTown | 12 mi | 1.6 |
| EnochvilleCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 4 |
| KannapolisCity | 15 mi | 34.9 |
| LexingtonCity | 16 mi | 19.2 |
| Yadkin CollegeCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 2.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Salisbury, NC in?
- Salisbury is in Rowan County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Salisbury, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Salisbury include 28144, 28147.
- What is the population of Salisbury, NC?
- About 35,825 people live in Salisbury, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Salisbury?
- Nearby places include East Spencer (3.2 mi), Spencer (3.7 mi), Granite Quarry (3.8 mi), Faith (5 mi), Rockwell (8.5 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023