McDowell County

McDowell County has 44,817 residents across 3 ZIP codes with their own report. Median household income is $57,168, 21% below the North Carolina figure. The typical owner-occupied home is valued at $171,100, and 18% of adults 25 and over hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

County · ACS 2020–2024 · Updated October 24, 2026

44,817residentsACS 2020–2024

$57,168median household incomeNorth Carolina: $72K

$171,100median home valueowner-occupied homes

84%of households have broadbandhome internet subscription

McDowell County in North CarolinaZIP codes in McDowell County highlighted; the rest of North Carolina in grey

Map of North Carolina with McDowell County highlighted

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 ZCTA relationship files

All 3 ZIP codes.

Colour shows where each zip code sits among the others in the table, from lowest to highest.

ZIP code	Residents	Household income	Home value	Owners	Bachelor's+	Broadband	Commute
28752	30,292	$56K	$166K	73%	17%	85%	25 min
28761	8,150	$55K	$177K	84%	20%	84%	32 min
28762	6,599	$66K	$197K	77%	21%	77%	26 min

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

People.

44,817 residents in 18,638 households, next to the North Carolina figure.

19%

under 18

19%

aged 18–34

21%

aged 65 and over

27%

of households are people living alone

51%

of households are married couples

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Homes.

21,575 housing units; the median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,100 (±$10,414).

76%

of households own their home

69%

of homes are detached single-family houses

are in buildings with 5 or more units

25%

are mobile homes

14%

of housing units are vacant

$806

median gross rent a month

When homes were built

2020 or later1%

2010–20197%

2000–200915%

1990–199918%

1980–198916%

1970–197913%

1960–196911%

1950–19598%

1940–19494%

1939 or earlier7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Income and work.

Household income and work, in 2024 dollars; median household income ±$4,181.

$57,168

median household income

14.8%

of people live below the poverty line

4.1%

unemployment rate

18%

of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

The poverty rate uses the federal poverty thresholds, which vary with family size. It says nothing on its own about what a neighborhood is like to live in.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Getting around.

How workers aged 16 and over get to work, and how long it takes.

27 min

average commute to work

14%

of commuters travel 45 minutes or more

92%

of workers drive or carpool

take public transportation

walk or bike

work from home

of households have no car

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Internet.

Home internet subscriptions.

84%

of households have a broadband subscription

12%

have no internet access at home

American Community Survey figures are estimates from a rolling sample, averaged over 2020–2024. Each comes with a margin of error, which is wider in places with fewer people.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates