Checked
Mitchell County, NC
2 cities and towns and 2 ZIP codes in Mitchell County, North Carolina.
Population
14,992
Land area
221sq mi
People per sq mi
68
ZIP codes
2
Cities and towns in Mitchell County
Mitchell County at a glance
- Mitchell County is 69% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $57,602, 20% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $220,100 (24% below North Carolina) and median rent is $813 a month.
- Its largest cities are Spruce Pine (2,398) and Bakersville (747).
Local data for Mitchell County, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Mitchell County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$57,602
Poverty rate
12.9%
Median home value
$220,100
Prices +13.9% in a year
Median rent
$813/mo
Homeownership
76.3%
Bachelor's or higher
24.2%
Median age
48.0
Average commute
24.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,719), German Americans (1,593), Scottish Americans (637).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Aug 2026, -1.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,740
4,641 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$50,776
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$213M
FY 2026, $14,277 per person
PPP loans
$13.94M
256 loans, 2,144 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$51.08K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Mitchell County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.0%
- Carpooled10.8%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked1.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.1%
- Worked from home7.2%
Average one-way commute: 24.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Mitchell County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Very Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
601
Most often winter weather
Flood insurance policies
46
0.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
81° / 24°F
57.2 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone7 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Mitchell County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.2%
U.S. 33.3% +3.9 pts
Diabetes
12.8%
U.S. 12.1% +0.7 pts
Smoking
14.6%
U.S. 12.8% +1.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.3%
U.S. 11.1% -1.8 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Mitchell County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Mitchell County, NC?
- Spruce Pine is the largest city or town in Mitchell County, with about 2,398 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Mitchell County?
- Mitchell County includes 2 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28705, 28777.
- What is the population of Mitchell County, NC?
- About 14,992 people live in Mitchell County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Mitchell County?
- Mitchell County borders Carter County, TN, McDowell County, Yancey County, Unicoi County, TN, Avery County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023