Introduction of the railroad brought new prosperity and new arrivals, particularly those from areas less blessed in natural resources. In 1946 the town was officially named Ch'aochou, and 1968 saw the founding of its first junior high school, which attracted still more people.
民國初年，此地產業開發、鐵路通車後，益形繁榮，許多外鄉人就在此時遷居潮州；尤其是土地貧瘠處的居民，紛紛來到這片「沃土」。民國卅五年，潮州正式稱作「潮州鎮」，隸屬高雄縣；卅九年縣市行政區域整編後，才劃歸屏東縣。