McDowell County, North Carolina
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McDowell County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 42,151. Its county seat is Marion6.
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History
The county was formed in 1842 from parts of Burke County and Rutherford County. It was named for Joseph McDowell, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War, a hero of the Battle of King's Mountain, and a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1797 to 1799.
In 1861, parts of McDowell County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County were combined to form Mitchell County.
Law and government
McDowell County is a member of the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission regional council of governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,156 km² (446 mi²). 1,144 km² (442 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.06% water.
Townships
The county is divided into ten townships: Brackett, Crooked Creek, Dysartsville, Glenwood, Higgins, Marion, Montford Cove, Nebo, North Cove, and Old Fort.
Adjacent Counties
- Mitchell County, North Carolina - north
- Avery County, North Carolina - north-northeast
- Burke County, North Carolina - east
- Rutherford County, North Carolina - south
- Buncombe County, North Carolina - west
- Yancey County, North Carolina - northwest
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 42,151 people, 16,604 households, and 11,954 families residing in the county. The population density is 37/km² (95/mi²). There are 18,377 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 92.18% White, 4.16% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 2.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 16,604 households out of which 30.30% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% are married couples living together, 10.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% are non-families. 24.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.90.
In the county the population is spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $32,396, and the median income for a family is $37,789. Males have a median income of $26,609 versus $21,640 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,109. 11.60% of the population and 9.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.10% of those under the age of 18 and 15.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
External links
- McDowell County government official website (http://www.mcdowellgov.com)
