County · North Carolina
Mitchell County, North Carolina
Mitchell County, North Carolina. Mitchell County had 15,062 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 37121.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,062
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,903 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,992
Median household income
$57,602
±$5,146 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$220,100
±$13,554 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$813
±$64 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Mitchell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,903 residents in Mitchell County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,062 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,992 over 221 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mitchell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,992 | 10,730,404 | −12 |
| Households | 6,587±269 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.21±0.09 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,697±50 | 4,895,668 | −134 |
Mitchell County's population since 2000
From 15,687 in 2000 to 15,062 in 2025: down 4.0%. 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 Mitchell County?
Mitchell County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Spruce Pine with 2,211 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Spruce Pine | 2,194 | $42,098 |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersville | 450 | $50,263 |
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 Mitchell County?
The median resident of Mitchell County is 48.0 years old; 17.6% are under 18 and 26.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.6%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mitchell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.0±1.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.6%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.0%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.6% | 11.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.0%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | −1.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4%±1.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±1.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.9%±2.2 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.3%±2.3 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7%±1.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.2%±3.3 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.5%±2.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±1.1 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 Mitchell County earn?
Half of Mitchell County's 6,587 households earn less than $57,602 a year (±$5,146), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $56,739 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mitchell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,602±$5,146 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $78,464±$8,051 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,790±$3,386 | $41,385 | +$4,012 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.9%±2.8 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.3%±5.1 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±3.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.4%±3.2 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 Mitchell County?
Owners occupy 76.3% of Mitchell County's occupied homes and renters 23.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $220,100 by its owner (±$13,554). The median renter pays $813 a month including utilities, and 31.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mitchell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $220,100±$13,554 | $288,900 | +$26,389 |
| Median gross rent | $813±$64 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.9%±9.2 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,275±$102 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.3%±3.7 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,697±50 | 4,895,668 | −134 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.8%±2.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.5%±3.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.4%±2.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.2%±2.4 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 Mitchell County building?
Builders took permits for 44 new housing units across Mitchell County in 2025 (44 single-family), 2.9 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 Mitchell County get to work?
79.0% of Mitchell County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.
| Measure | Mitchell County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.2%±2.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5%±2.5 pts | 4.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0%±3.8 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.8%±3.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±2.5 pts | 16.3% | +5.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min±2.2 | 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 Mitchell County's census tracts?
Mitchell County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,156 (Tract 9503) to $68,519 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950137121950100 | 1,889±293 | $52,700 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950237121950200 | 3,851±444 | $60,893 |
| Tract 950337121950300 | 4,331±462 | $42,156 |
| Tract 950437121950400 | 4,921±509 | $68,519 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mitchell County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 87th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 80th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 70th of 100 |
| Median household income | 63rd of 100 |
| Median home value | 50th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 68th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 63rd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 100 |
| Median age | 18th 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 Mitchell 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.