McDowell County, NC Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,439 | 10,790,063 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 102.1 | 200.3 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | -0.06% | 0.90% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 42.8 | 37.6 | 37.1 |
| Households | 18,445 | 4,184,344 | 128,459,983 |
Population in McDowell County grew by 2.7% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 44,671 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
McDowell County has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,501 | $69,937 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 5.91% | 5.43% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
The median household income in McDowell County is about 21% lower than in North Carolina.
Housing
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $146,959 | $265,624 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $740 | $1,162 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 74.0% | 66.4% | 65.1% |
The median home price in McDowell County is about 16.5 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $740 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in McDowell County spend about 44 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 182 hours, about 7.6 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 21.8 | 21.8 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 43.6 | 43.6 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 182 | 182 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,636 | $5,630 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 14.5% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 6,438 | 8,330 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 556 | 1,609 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
North Carolina:
Macon County (17.1 min), Dare County (17.2 min), Graham County (17.2 min).
Slowest:
Gates County (36.3 min), Currituck County (33.6 min), Franklin County (32.4 min).
The average commute time in McDowell County is about the same as in North Carolina.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
McDowell County has a education index of D, which means it is barely educated.
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 31.1% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.34 | 2.46 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
North Carolina:
Orange County (0.5), Wake County (0.4), Durham County (0.4).
Lowest:
Hyde County (0.2), Greene County (0.2), Tyrrell County (0.2).
Health
McDowell County has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 76.6 | 77.1 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 16.0% | 16.8% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 21.5% | 20.7% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
North Carolina:
Orange County (0.8), Wake County (0.8), Watauga County (0.8).
Lowest:
Robeson County (0.8), Lenoir County (0.8), Halifax County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about McDowell County, North Carolina.
What is the population of McDowell County, North Carolina?
The population of McDowell County, North Carolina is 45,439, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of McDowell County, North Carolina?
The population density of McDowell County, North Carolina is 102.1 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in McDowell County, North Carolina?
The median household income in McDowell County, North Carolina is $55,501, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in McDowell County, North Carolina?
The median home price in McDowell County, North Carolina is $146,959, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in McDowell County, North Carolina?
The unemployment rate in McDowell County, North Carolina is 4.7%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.