Checked
McDowell County, NC
5 cities and towns and 4 ZIP codes in McDowell County, North Carolina.
Population
44,817
Land area
440sq mi
People per sq mi
102
ZIP codes
4
Cities and towns in McDowell County
McDowell County at a glance
- McDowell County is 54% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $57,168 a year, 21% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $171,100 (41% below North Carolina) and median rent is $806 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Marion (7,579), Nebo (1,670) and West Marion (1,066).
Local data for McDowell County, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools16
- Colleges1
- Libraries2
- Banks3
- Post Offices4
- Parks16
- Grocery Stores18
- Restaurants109
- Affordable Housing5
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers18
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment5
- Private Schools1
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities3
- Historic Places11
Housing and community stats
McDowell County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$57,168
Poverty rate
14.8%
Median home value
$171,100
Prices -1.8% in a year
Median rent
$806/mo
Homeownership
75.6%
Bachelor's or higher
18.1%
Median age
44.3
Average commute
24.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (4,661), German Americans (3,880), Mexican Americans (1,994).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.7%
Aug 2026, -0.7 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,681
15,394 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$50,502
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$403M
FY 2026, $9,036 per person
PPP loans
$33.93M
706 loans, 5,300 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$147K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
McDowell County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.4%
- Carpooled8.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.9%
- Worked from home6.0%
Average one-way commute: 24.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
McDowell County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
653
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
138
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
85° / 28°F
56.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone11 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in McDowell County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
35.2%
U.S. 33.3% +1.9 pts
Diabetes
13.0%
U.S. 12.1% +0.9 pts
Smoking
17.0%
U.S. 12.8% +4.2 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.2%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in McDowell County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in McDowell County, NC?
- Marion is the largest city or town in McDowell County, with about 7,579 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in McDowell County?
- McDowell County includes 4 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28749, 28752, 28761, 28762.
- What is the population of McDowell County, NC?
- About 44,817 people live in McDowell County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border McDowell County?
- McDowell County borders Buncombe County, Burke County, Rutherford County, Yancey County, Avery County, Mitchell County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023