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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

McDowell County

North Carolina · 44,578 residents · 439.954 sq mi
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The short version

McDowell County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,085. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $129,400. With a median age of 44.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.8
US median: 38.8
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,578
+6%since 2000
from 42,151 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
101 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 96 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.8
+18%since 2000
from 38.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
35K38K40K43K46K1990201020202024McDowell County
202445K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,085
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,396 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,432
+58%since 2000
from $16,109 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade27%
US avg: 10%
Information13.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$129,400
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$647
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $411 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.3%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
26.7% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+37%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in McDowell County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(38,373)
Black4.1%(1,716)
Hispanic / Latino2.9%(1,214)
Asian0.9%(387)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.8%(7,912)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.8%(37,788)
Black3.8%(1,707)
Hispanic / Latino6.6%(2,947)
Asian0.9%(388)
Other1.7%(737)
Diversity Score30.2%(13,442)
Segregation Score36.8%(16,404)
Diversity Score
30
+61%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
37
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.6%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.7 min
+43%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.7%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.6%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 59.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.5%
−32.7 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.2%
−73.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+24%
Home value$185,400+43%
Population88,655+96%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Yancey County
Income$58,709+25%
Home value$243,100+88%
Population19,084−58%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Rutherford County
Income$51,410+9%
Home value$201,800+56%
Population65,745+45%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDOWELL COUNTY VS
Mitchell County
Income$57,602+22%
Home value$220,100+70%
Population15,062−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in McDowell County, North Carolina?

McDowell County, North Carolina has about 44,578 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in McDowell County, North Carolina earns about $47,085 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 $129,400, and the typical rent is about $647 a month.

How educated are people in McDowell County, North Carolina?

About 18.4% 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 15.6% 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 8,897 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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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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