Market insights · North Carolina
McDowell County, NC: growth, migration and housing
McDowell County has 45,198 residents, up 1.4% since 2020 (-0.2% in the last year). In 2022–2023, 1,033 households moved in and 957 moved out (+76 net), bringing in a net $17.1M of income. Median household income is $57,168, the median home $171,100 and median rent $806 a month.
In North Carolina: 73rd of 100 counties for 5-year population growth · 68th of 100 counties for net in-migration (per resident) · 64th of 100 counties for median household income · 72nd of 100 counties for median home value.
Where new residents came from
Top counties by households (tax returns) moving to McDowell County, 2022–2023 (IRS).
| From | Households (tax returns) | Their income (AGI) |
|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County, NC | 218 | $12.9M |
| Burke County, NC | 92 | $5.0M |
| Rutherford County, NC | 31 | $2.0M |
| Henderson County, NC | 27 | $1.1M |
| Catawba County, NC | 26 | $1.5M |
| Mitchell County, NC | 26 | $1.1M |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 23 | $3.6M |
Where leavers went
Top counties by households leaving McDowell County, 2022–2023 (IRS).
| To | Households (tax returns) | Their income (AGI) |
|---|---|---|
| Burke County, NC | 169 | $8.6M |
| Buncombe County, NC | 146 | $6.5M |
| Rutherford County, NC | 58 | $2.5M |
| Mitchell County, NC | 32 | $2.1M |
| Catawba County, NC | 24 | $1.2M |
| Henderson County, NC | 23 | $1.5M |
BizyFi in McDowell County
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (vintage 2025), American Community Survey 5-year (2024), and IRS Statistics of Income county-to-county migration data (2022–2023). Migration counts are tax returns (roughly households) moving between U.S. counties; the IRS suppresses very small flows. Growth rates, per-1,000 figures, rent share and state ranks are BizyFi calculations. Data updated 2026-10-17. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.