CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

McDowell County

North Carolina · 42,151 residents · 439.954 sq mi
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The short version

McDowell County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $32,396. Population has grown 18% since 1990. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $64,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.0
US median: 35.2
Less educated
9% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
42,151
+18%since 1990
from 35,681 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
96 / sq mi
+18%since 1990
from 81 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.0
+6%since 1990
from 35.9 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
35K38K40K43K46K1990201020202024McDowell County
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,396
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $22,562 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,109
+53%since 1990
from $10,516 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
11.6%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 11.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,800
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $44,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$411
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $296 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
77.2%
+0.2 ptssince 1990
from 77.1% in 1990
22.8% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+1%since 1990
from 2.0 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in McDowell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(34,018)
Black3.9%(1,383)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(121)
Asian0.4%(148)
Diversity Score12%(4,266)
2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(38,373)
Black4.1%(1,716)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(1,214)
Asian0.9%(387)
Diversity Score18.8%(7,912)
Diversity Score
19
+57%since 1990
from 12 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.0%
+0.9 ptssince 1990
from 8.1% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
70.2%
+11.6 ptssince 1990
from 58.5% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
2.6%
−0.2 ptssince 1990
from 2.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.6 min
−16%since 1990
from 19.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to McDowell County

Polk County
Pop 45,514
Coles County
Pop 46,607
Knox County
Pop 47,767
Greene County
Pop 47,411
Places similar to McDowell County
Head to head

Compare McDowell County to nearby counties

MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Burke County
Income$58,592+81%
Home value$185,400+186%
Population88,655+96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Yancey County
Income$58,709+81%
Home value$243,100+275%
Population19,084−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Rutherford County
Income$51,410+59%
Home value$201,800+211%
Population65,745+45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Mitchell County
Income$57,602+78%
Home value$220,100+240%
Population15,062−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in McDowell County, North Carolina?

McDowell County, North Carolina has about 42,151 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in McDowell County, North Carolina?

The typical household in McDowell County, North Carolina earns about $32,396 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is McDowell County, North Carolina expensive?

In McDowell County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $64,800, and the typical rent is about $411 a month.

How educated are people in McDowell County, North Carolina?

About 9.0% of adults age 25 and over in McDowell County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in McDowell County, North Carolina?

About 11.6% of people in McDowell County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has McDowell County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, McDowell County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,470 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

12 census tracts
Census Tract 9709.03Census Tract 9702Census Tract 9708Census Tract 9709.02Census Tract 9707Census Tract 9705Census Tract 9706Census Tract 9703Census Tract 9701.02Census Tract 9709.04Census Tract 9704Census Tract 9701.01
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 28752ZIP 28761ZIP 28762ZIP 28749
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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