In McDowell, North Carolina, the median home price is $265,437, compared with the North Carolina median of $343,331; median household income is $57,168; the population is 44,817; schools rate 6.4 out of 10; the violent crime rate is 159.1 per 100k; and the average commute is 24.7 minutes. Sources: Zillow Research and the US Census Bureau.
Data updated June 2026 - Source: Zillow Research
McDowell at a glance
Population
44,817
Median Household Income
$57,168
Typical Home Value
$265,437
School District Rating
6.4
Violent Crime Rate
159.1
Avg Commute Time
24.7
About McDowell
McDowell has a population of 44,817. The median home value is $265,437, 23% below the North Carolina median. Median household income is $57,168 (21% below the North Carolina median). The most populated towns are Marion, Nebo, and Crooked Creek.
Data comes from public sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Education Statistics, the FBI, the EPA, Zillow, and Redfin. Source attribution is shown on each metric.
Towns in McDowell
10 towns, by population.
County rankings in North Carolina
Every county in North Carolina, ranked on one decision metric at a time.
- Cheapest Counties to Buy a House
- Counties With the Lowest Monthly Housing Payment
- Counties With the Lowest Property Tax
- Counties With the Cheapest Homeowners Insurance
- Counties With the Cheapest Childcare
- Safest Counties From Natural Disasters
- Counties With the Lowest Flood Risk
- Counties With the Lowest Wildfire Risk
- Safest Counties (Lowest Violent Crime)
- Counties With the Best School Ratings
- Counties With the Highest Household Income
- Counties With the Shortest Commute
- Counties Where Homes Sell Fastest
McDowell at a glance: frequently asked questions
- What is the population of McDowell?
- McDowell has a population of 44,817 based on the most recent US Census estimate.
- What is the median home price in McDowell?
- The median home value in McDowell is $265,437. Open the interactive map to see the distribution town by town.
- What is the median household income in McDowell?
- Median household income in McDowell is $57,168 per year, sourced from the US Census American Community Survey.
- What state is McDowell in?
- McDowell is in North Carolina.
- How many towns are in McDowell?
- McDowell contains 10 towns and municipalities. Click any town below or on the map to see its housing, school, and crime data.
Compare McDowell with other places
Put up to four states, counties, towns, or ZIPs side by side on income, housing, crime, education, and more.