The Town Files

McDowell County, North Carolina

44,817 people. The median home is worth $171,100 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900) and the median household earns $57,168.

Towns in McDowell County

Towns in McDowell County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Marion7,717$163,500$51,31439.1

People and housing

McDowell CountyTypical North Carolina town
Median home value$171,100$228,900
Median rent$806$969
Median household income$57,168$60,458
Median age44.341.1
Bachelor's degree or higher18.1%24.5%
Below the poverty line14.8%14.3%

Jobs and pay

15,350 jobs in 2024, average pay $47,365 a year.

Largest industries in McDowell CountyManufacturing4,994 jobs · $56,360Retail2,251 jobs · $31,771Hotels & restaurants1,200 jobs · $21,356Construction692 jobs · $56,197Administrative & support595 jobs · $38,755Other services449 jobs · $42,760
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in McDowell County0%4%8%12%16%2000200420082012201620202023 3.2%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 653 storm events in McDowell County from 1996 to 2026, with 2 deaths.

Storm events in McDowell County by type since 1996Hail136Flood15Drought34High Wind29Ice Storm10Heavy Snow22Flash Flood37Strong Wind8Winter Storm18Winter Weather102
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

McDowell County has been included in 21 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3637: Severe Winter Storm
September 28, 2024Tropical StormDR-4827: Tropical Storm Helene
September 26, 2024Tropical StormEM-3617: Hurricane Helene
October 1, 2022HurricaneEM-3586: Hurricane Ian
August 2, 2020HurricaneEM-3534: Hurricane Isaias
March 25, 2020BiologicalDR-4487: Covid-19 Pandemic
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).