McDowell County, North Carolina

McDowell County: County in West Virginia, United States

About

McDowell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,996 and a population density of 32 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 45,782 inhabitants. Its county seat is Welch. The county was created 167 years ago in 1858.

McDowell County locator map
Location of McDowell County on North Carolina map.

Quick Facts about McDowell County

Population : 45,782 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : North Carolina (United States)
Different from : McDowell County
Area : 1385 km2
Water as percent of area : 0.3%
Land as percent of area : 99.7%
Named for : James McDowell
Altitude : 1,220 feet / 372 meters
Capital : Welch
Establishment : February 02, 1858
Time Zone : America/New_York
Local time : 06:56:16 (23rd February 2025)
Density : 33 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 1.72% (2010-2020)
McDowell County WV Court image
McDowell County WV Court
McDowell County WV Court image
McDowell County WV Court image

Geography

McDowell County is located at 35°40'52"N 82°2'55"W (35.6812400, -82.0487000). It has 5 neighbors: Buchanan County, Tazewell County, Mercer County, Mingo County and Wyoming County.

McDowell County map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

The largest city of McDowell County is Marion with a population of 7,937. Other cities include and Old Fort population 924. See all McDowell County cities & populated places.

McDowell County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in McDowell County.

City Name Population Title
Marion 7,937 City in McDowell County, North Carolina, U.
West Marion 1,348 Township in McDowell County, North Carolina
Old Fort 924 Human settlement in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States of America

McDowell County has 5 neighbours.

Demographics

The population of McDowell County increased by 1.72% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 44,996 - census
2011 45,053 0.13% estimation process
2012 44,999 -0.12% estimation process
2013 45,021 0.05% estimation process
2014 45,007 -0.03% estimation process
2015 44,967 -0.09% estimation process
2016 44,866 -0.23% estimation process
2017 45,083 0.48% estimation process
2018 45,465 0.84% estimation process
2019 45,756 0.64% estimation process
2020 45,782 0.06% estimation process

Comitatul McDowell, Comte de McDowell, Comté de McDowell, Condado de McDowell, Condado han McDowell, Contea di McDowell, Hrabstwo McDowell, Mak-Dauehll, Makdauul, Makdavell, McDowell, McDowell Kun, McDowell Kūn, McDowell konderria, McDowell megye, McDowelli maakond, Okrug Makdauel, Quan McDowell, Quận McDowell, mai ke dao wei xian, makudou~eru jun, mqatʿt mkdawyl, myakadoraela ka'unti, Мак-Дауэлл, Макдавелл, Макдауъл, Округ Макдауел, شهرستان مک‌داول، کارولینای شمالی, مقاطعة مكداويل, مکڈوول کاؤنٹی, میک ڈوویل کاؤنٹی، شمالی کیرولائنا, ম্যাকডোৱেল কাউন্টি, マクドウェル郡, 麥克道威縣

People born in McDowell County (4)

People born in McDowell County, including activist Charles Kenzie Steele, playwright Kermit Hunter, businessman Roy Lee Cooke, .

List

Other places with the same name (2)

North Carolina Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Wake County 1,132,271 County in North Carolina, United States
Mecklenburg County 1,128,945 County in North Carolina, United States
Charlotte 900,350 The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Guilford County 540,521 County in North Carolina, United States of America
Raleigh 474,414 The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
Forsyth County 383,843 County in North Carolina, United States of America
West Raleigh 338,759 A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
Cumberland County 336,364 County in Maine, United States
Durham County 327,306 County in North Carolina, United States of America
Greensboro 297,878 The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Durham 285,897 The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
Buncombe County 263,477 County in North Carolina, United States
Winston-Salem 248,112 The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
Union County 244,562 County in North Carolina, United States
New Hanover County 236,613 County in North Carolina, United States
Gaston County 226,568 County in North Carolina, United States