McDowell County, North Carolina
5 public bodies govern here, 1 school district is based here, and USDA lists 2 farmers markets. Everything below says where it came from.
In four numbers
- People
- 44,817
- Median household income
- $57,168
- ±4,181
- Unemployed
- 4.1%
- 823 of 20,208 in the labour force
- Homes with broadband
- 83.6%
- 15,583 of 18,638 households
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020-2024; read 2026-09-26. Percentages worked out here from the two counts shown.
Who governs here
County government 1
| Name | People | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| County of McDowell | 44,717 (2021) | 60 E Court St, Marion | Website |
Cities, towns and villages 2
| Name | People | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Marion | 7,652 (2021) | Po Box 700, Marion | Website |
| Town of Old Fort | 815 (2021) | 38 S Catawba Ave, Old Fort | — |
Special districts 2
| Name | What it does | Office | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muddy Creek Watershed Improvement District | Flood control | 25 S Garden St, Marion | — |
| McDowell Soil and Water Conservation District | Soil and water conservation | 25 S Garden St, Marion | Website |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments, Government Units List (published August 2023); the file read 2026-09-26. Offices are placed by county; a special district’s territory can cross county lines. Each body posts its own meetings on its website where the Census records one.
School districts based here
McDowell County Schools
School district15 schools
334 South Main St, Marion, NC, 28752
Its website — where its board posts meetings. Federal record.
National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data 2024-25; read 2026-09-26.
Farmers markets
Marion Tailgate Market
67 West Henderson Street Marion, NC, 28752
Gathered by USDA from the web; USDA record last changed 2023-03-27. USDA listing
Historic Marion Tailgate Market
67 W. Henderson St., Marion, NC, 28752
Gathered by USDA from the web; USDA record last changed 2023-03-27. USDA listing
USDA National Farmers Market Directory; read 2026-09-26.