Population
45,198
2025
+1.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
McDowell County, NC growth snapshot
McDowell County had an estimated 45,198 residents in 2025, up 1.4% (644 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 102nd fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+107
2025
2.4 per 1,000 residents
+1,594 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
15,394
2025
+0.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$936
2025
+22.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
+0.4 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
164
2025
−15.5% since 2021
3.6 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$57,168
2020–24
+21.4% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
13,495
2023
−1.4% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 107 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 15,394 jobs in 2025, +0.2% since 2020 (112th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $936.
Unemployment averaged 4.4% in 2025, 0.4 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 164 new homes in 2025, or 3.6 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $57,168 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +21.4% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,445th.
Part of the Marion, NC micro area.
McDowell County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 45,198 | −100 |
| 2024 | 45,298 | +352 |
| 2023 | 44,946 | +201 |
| 2022 | 44,745 | +204 |
| 2021 | 44,541 | −13 |
| 2020 | 44,554 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in McDowell County
McDowell County grew by 644 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+1,594).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −280 | −1,479 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +71 | +477 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +107 | +1,594 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +2 | +52 | |
| Total change | −100 | +644 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 73rd of 100 | 1,445th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 73rd of 100 | 1,498th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 85th of 100 | 2,062nd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 64th of 100 | 2,290th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 75th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 78th of 100 | 2,031st of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 70th of 100 | 931st of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, McDowell County's population change (+1.4%) was ahead of 2 of its 6 neighbouring counties and behind 4.
5 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than McDowell County's $57,168 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell County, NC This county | 45,198 | +1.4% | 2.4 | 3.6 | $57,168 |
| Mitchell County, NC | 15,062 | +1.1% | 0.5 | 2.9 | $57,602 |
| Burke County, NC | 88,655 | +1.6% | 5.5 | 6.6 | $58,592 |
| Yancey County, NC | 19,084 | +3.2% | 5.0 | 5.6 | $58,709 |
| Rutherford County, NC | 65,745 | +2.1% | 8.6 | 4.1 | $51,410 |
| Avery County, NC | 18,110 | +1.1% | 0.9 | 8.3 | $61,428 |
| Buncombe County, NC | 277,417 | +2.9% | −7.4 | 7.3 | $74,436 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of McDowell County?
About 45,198 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is McDowell County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 1.4% between 2020 and 2025, about 644 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 102nd of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to McDowell County?
On net, about 107 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in McDowell County?
Employers there reported 15,394 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +0.2% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $936 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in McDowell County?
It averaged 4.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in McDowell County?
Building permits authorized 164 new housing units in 2025, 3.6 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in McDowell County?
$57,168 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does McDowell County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 73rd of 100 for population growth; 73rd of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 85th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 64th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 1,445th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.