McDowell County
McDowell County, North Carolina
Marion, NC 28752
Phone: (828) 652-7121
Fax: (828) 659-3484
www.mcdowellgov.com
In southwestern NC, east of Asheville; organized Dec 19, 1842 from Burke and Rutherford counties. Name Origin: For Maj. Joseph McDowell (1756-1801), a hero of the Battle of Kings Mountain (1780) during the Revolutionary War and U.S. representative from NC (1797-99)
Area (sq mi):: 446.41 (land 441.68; water 4.73) Population per square mile: 97.80
Population 2005: 43,201 State rank: 57 Population change: 2000-20005 2.50%; 1990-2000 18.10% Population 2000: 42,151 (White 91.00%; Black or African American 4.20%; Hispanic or Latino 2.90%; Asian 0.90%; Other 2.70%). Foreign born: 2.70%. Median age: 38.00
Income 2000: per capita $16,109; median household $32,396; Population below poverty level: 11.60% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $21,049-$21,021
Unemployment (2004): 6.70% Unemployment change (from 2000): -1.30% Median travel time to work: 25.30 minutes Working outside county of residence: 25.30%
See other counties in North Carolina.
McDowell County, West Virginia
Welch, WV 24801
Phone: (304) 436-8544
Fax: (304) 436-8576
On southern border of WV, southwest of Beckley; organized Feb 20, 1858 from Tazewell County (in VA). Name Origin: For James McDowell (1796-1851), member of the VA house of delegates (1830-35; 1838), governor (1842-46), and U.S. representative (1846-51)
Area (sq mi):: 534.90 (land 534.72; water 0.18) Population per square mile: 45.40
Population 2005: 24,273 State rank: 29 Population change: 2000-20005 -11.20%; 1990-2000 -22.40% Population 2000: 27,329 (White 86.70%; Black or African American 11.90%; Hispanic or Latino 0.50%; Asian 0.10%; Other 1.00%). Foreign born: 0.50%. Median age: 40.50
Income 2000: per capita $10,174; median household $16,931; Population below poverty level: 37.70% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $14,484-$16,962
Unemployment (2004): 10.30% Unemployment change (from 2000): 3.40% Median travel time to work: 32.60 minutes Working outside county of residence: 27.20%
See other counties in West Virginia.