County · North Carolina
McDowell County, North Carolina
McDowell County, North Carolina. McDowell County had 45,198 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 37111.
McDowell County is the county of the Marion, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,198
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,578 · ACS 2020-2024: 44,817
Median household income
$57,168
±$4,181 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$171,100
±$10,414 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$806
±$45 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in McDowell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 44,578 residents in McDowell County. The Census Bureau estimates 45,198 for July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 44,817 over 440 square miles of land.
| Measure | McDowell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 44,817 | 10,730,404 | −410 |
| Households | 18,638±439 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.33±0.05 | 2.44 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 21,575±70 | 4,895,668 | +172 |
McDowell County's population since 2000
From 42,151 in 2000 to 45,198 in 2025: up 7.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in McDowell County?
McDowell County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Marion with 7,440 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Marion | 7,717 | $51,314 |
|---|---|---|
| Nebo | 1,790 | $50,139 |
| West Marion | 1,226 | $36,715 |
| Old Fort | 811 | $47,500 |
| GlenwoodGEOID 3726560 | 501 | $120,694 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in McDowell County?
The median resident of McDowell County is 44.3 years old; 19.4% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.1%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McDowell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.3±0.3 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.4% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.1% | 11.3% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.6%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.2%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.6%±1.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.8%±1.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.5%±1.5 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±1.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.1%±1.5 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in McDowell County earn?
Half of McDowell County's 18,638 households earn less than $57,168 a year (±$4,181), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $53,715 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McDowell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,168±$4,181 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $72,753±$3,498 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,395±$1,351 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.8%±2.1 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.3%±4.8 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.3%±2.4 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.6%±2.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in McDowell County?
Owners occupy 75.6% of McDowell County's occupied homes and renters 24.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,100 by its owner (±$10,414). The median renter pays $806 a month including utilities, and 32.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McDowell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,100±$10,414 | $288,900 | +$24,401 |
| Median gross rent | $806±$45 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.8%±7.2 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,161±$41 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.6%±2.6 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,575±70 | 4,895,668 | +172 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6%±2.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.8%±2.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.5%±2.3 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.7%±1.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is McDowell County building?
Builders took permits for 164 new housing units across McDowell County in 2025 (164 single-family), 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in McDowell County get to work?
83.4% of McDowell County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | McDowell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.5%±1.8 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.4%±2.3 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±1.6 pts | 16.3% | +2.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min±1.0 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are McDowell County's census tracts?
McDowell County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,861 (Tract 9704) to $74,654 (Tract 9709.04).
| Tract 9701.0137111970101 | 2,118±450 | $52,426 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9701.0237111970102 | 3,412±698 | $57,212 |
| Tract 970237111970200 | 5,158±663 | $50,603 |
| Tract 970337111970300 | 3,425±447 | $64,063 |
| Tract 970437111970400 | 2,269±403 | $34,861 |
| Tract 970537111970500 | 3,554±402 | $44,669 |
| Tract 970637111970600 | 3,476±387 | $60,156 |
| Tract 970737111970700 | 3,872±438 | $59,773 |
| Tract 970837111970800 | 4,709±558 | $67,525 |
| Tract 9709.0237111970902 | 4,500±592 | $56,123 |
| Tract 9709.0337111970903 | 5,533±693 | $59,479 |
| Tract 9709.0437111970904 | 2,791±480 | $74,654 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McDowell County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 72nd of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 55th of 100 |
| Median household income | 64th of 100 |
| Median home value | 72nd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 72nd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 49th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 74th of 100 |
| Median age | 42nd of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for McDowell County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.