McDowell County, NC

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Population

45,069

0.124% growth

Poverty Rate

19.3%


Median Age

43.3


Median Household Income

$38,776

3.16% growth

Number of Employees

18,193

3.02% growth

Median Property Value

$110,400

5.65% growth

About

COVID-19

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, McDowell County, NC had a population of 45.1k people with a median age of 43.3 and a median household income of $38,776. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of McDowell County, NC grew from 45,013 to 45,069, a 0.124% increase and its median household income grew from $37,590 to $38,776, a 3.16% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in McDowell County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.83%), White (Hispanic) (3.6%), Some Other Race (Hispanic) (2.39%), and Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (0.967%). N/A% of the people in McDowell County, NC speak a non-English language, and 97.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in McDowell County, NC are McDowell Technical Community College (241 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in McDowell County, NC is $110,400, and the homeownership rate is 71.3%. Most people in McDowell County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.2 minutes. The average car ownership in McDowell County, NC is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jeremy Taylor

United StatesNorth CarolinaMarion, NC

COVID-19

Total Confirmed Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

The economy of McDowell County, NC employs 18.2k people. The largest industries in McDowell County, NC are Manufacturing (4,751 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,909 people), and Retail Trade (2,103 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($48,013), Utilities ($45,907), and Finance & Insurance ($45,500).

Median household income in McDowell County, NC is $38,776. Males in McDowell County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in McDowell County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$38,776

2017 value

± $1,998

3.16%

1 Year Growth

± 6.99%

Households in McDowell County, NC have a median annual income of $38,776, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $37,590 in 2016, which represents a 3.16% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in McDowell County, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

$59,982

Average Male Salary

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary

± $812

In 2017, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $59,267 ± $4,472

  2. White

    $49,962 ± $811

  3. Two or More Races

    $36,539 ± $3,942

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for McDowell County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9706

  2. Census Tract 9701

  3. Census Tract 9709.01

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in McDowell County, NC was Census Tract 9706 with a value of $49,495, followed by Census Tract 9701 and Census Tract 9709.01, with respective values of $41,714 and $41,602.

The following map shows all of the tracts in McDowell County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 6 - 11

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

19.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McDowell County, NC (8.5k out of 44.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 45 - 54 and then Males 45 - 54.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    7,234 ± 621

  2. Hispanic

    746 ± 312

  3. Black

    608 ± 227

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in McDowell County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

18.2k

2017 Value

± 940

3.02%

1 Year growth

± 7.19%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in McDowell County, NC grew at a rate of 3.02%, from 17.7k employees to 18.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in McDowell County, NC, are Production Occupations (3,073 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,960 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,633 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McDowell County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of McDowell County, NC, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (3,073 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,960 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,633 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.91 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.02 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.73 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of McDowell County, NC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($53,043), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($52,440), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($50,479).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

18.2k

2017 Value

± 940

3.02%

1 Year growth

± 7.19%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in McDowell County, NC grew at a rate of 3.02%, from 17.7k employees to 18.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in McDowell County, NC, are Manufacturing (4,751 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,909 people), and Retail Trade (2,103 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McDowell County, NC, though some of these residents may live in McDowell County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in McDowell County, NC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (4,751 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,909 people), and Retail Trade (2,103 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, McDowell County, NC has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.58 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.15 times), and Public Administration (1.14 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in McDowell County, NC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($48,013), Utilities ($45,907), and Finance & Insurance ($45,500).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $54.9B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $41.2B

  3. Machinery

    $40B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.9B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($41.2B) and Machinery ($40B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$443B

2020 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

42.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $443B. This is expected to increase 42.7% to $632B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. South Carolina

    $28.4B

  2. Virginia

    $28.1B

  3. Georgia

    $28B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $28.4B, followed by Virginia with $28.1B and Georgia and $28B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

87.6% of the population of McDowell County, NC has health coverage, with 38% on employee plans, 19.2% on Medicaid, 15.2% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 2.59% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of McDowell County, NC was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in McDowell County, NC see 2812 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.0712% increase from the previous year (2810 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3005 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 673 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,812 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in McDowell County, NC see an average of 2,812 patients per year. This represents a 0.0712% increase from the previous year (2,810 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in McDowell County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

12.4%

Uninsured

38%

Employer Coverage

19.2%

Medicaid

15.2%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

2.59%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in McDowell County, NC declined by 12.7% from 14.2% to 12.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in McDowell County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

McDowell County, NC is home to a population of 45.1k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 4.03% of McDowell County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.82k people).

In 2017, there were 22.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.5k people) in McDowell County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.72k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.62k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Age

Age by Nativity

43

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

43

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.3

In 2017, the median age of all people in McDowell County, NC was 43.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in McDowell County, NC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all McDowell County, NC residents was 43.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.03%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

1.82k people

3.81%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

1.72k people

As of 2017, 4.03% of McDowell County, NC residents (1.82k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McDowell County, NC was 3.81%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in McDowell County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    242,756 ± 11,950 people

  2. India

    60,392 ± 6,015 people

  3. Honduras

    34,513 ± 4,553 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 242,756 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 60,392 and Honduras with 34,513.

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Citizenship

97.1%

2017 Citizenship

97.2%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 97.1% of McDowell County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in McDowell County, NC was 97.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in McDowell County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in McDowell County, NC

  1. White (Non-Hispanic)

    39.5k ± 241

  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)

    1.72k ± 101

  3. White (Hispanic)

    1.62k ± 455

In 2017, there were 22.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.5k people) in McDowell County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.72k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.62k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 7 races represented in McDowell County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    1,296 ± 211

  2. Korea

    303 ± 90

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    291 ± 127

McDowell County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.28 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in McDowell County, NC awarded 241 degrees. The student population of McDowell County, NC is skewed towards women, with 383 male students and 660 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in McDowell County, NC are White (210 and 87.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (14 and 5.86%), Black or African American (8 and 3.35%), and Asian (3 and 1.26%).

The largest universities in McDowell County, NC by number of degrees awarded are McDowell Technical Community College (241 and 100%).

The most popular majors in McDowell County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (68 and 28.2%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (32 and 13.3%), and Criminal Justice - Police Science (27 and 11.2%).

The median tuition costs in McDowell County, NC are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    68 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    21 degrees awarded

  3. Other Electromechanical, Instrumentation, & Maintenance Technology

    8 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in McDowell County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 68 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in McDowell County, NC according to their major.

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Universities

McDowell Technical Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

241 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the McDowell County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was McDowell Technical Community College with 241 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

90

Degrees Awarded to Men

151

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 90 men were awarded degrees from institutions in McDowell County, NC, which is 0.596 times less than the 151 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in McDowell County, NC by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    210 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    14 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    8 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in McDowell County, NC were to White students. These 210 degrees mean that there were 15 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 14 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in McDowell County, NC was $110,400 in 2017, which is 0.481 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $104,500 to $110,400, a 5.65% increase. The homeownership rate in McDowell County, NC is 71.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in McDowell County, NC have an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in McDowell County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$110,400

2017 Median

± $4,875

$104,500

2016 Median

± $5,630

In 2017, the median property value in McDowell County, NC grew to to $110,400 from the previous year's value of $104,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in McDowell County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McDowell County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$38,776

Median Household Income

± $1,998

18k

Number of Households

± 917

In 2017, the median household income of the 18k households in McDowell County, NC grew to $38,776 from the previous year's value of $37,590.

The following chart displays the households in McDowell County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in McDowell County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McDowell County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

71.3%

2017 Homeownership

70.5%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 71.3% of the housing units in McDowell County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 70.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in McDowell County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

22.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in McDowell County, NC have a shorter commute time (22.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 1.74% of the workforce in McDowell County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in McDowell County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    80.3%

  2. Carpooled

    14.3%

  3. Worked At Home

    3.68%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in McDowell County, NC was Drove Alone (80.3%), followed by those who Carpooled (14.3%) and those who Worked At Home (3.68%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in McDowell County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in McDowell County, NC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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