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McDowell County Schools, North Carolina

McDowell County Schools is a unified school district in McDowell County, North Carolina, for grades K–12. About 44,817 people live in it (2020–2024 estimate). It covers 440 sq mi (1,139 km²) of land.

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McDowell County Schools in North Carolina
Buncombe County SchoolsBurke County SchoolsYancey County Schools
McDowell County Schools and its neighbors (simplified outlines). Open in OpenStreetMap ↗
Population, 2020–2024 estimate
44,817
Grades
K–12
Type
Unified school district
County
McDowell County
Land area
440 sq mi (1,139 km²)
Median household income
$57,168 ± $4,181
Median home value
$171,100 ± $10,414
Water area
5.4 sq mi (14 km²)
State
North Carolina
Census code (GEOID)
3702940
Coordinates (central point)
35.682268, -82.048045
Check a point in the school district finder

These coordinates mark a central point for the district, not a school or an address. Population, income and home value: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, ± margin at 90% confidence; checked on October 20, 2026.

Towns, townships and communities in McDowell County Schools, largest first

  1. Marion Township18,633 people
  2. Marion (city)7,579 people
  3. Nebo Township4,145 people
  4. Crooked Creek Township3,696 people
  5. Dysartsville Township3,487 people
  6. Old Fort Township3,425 people
  7. Higgins Township3,232 people
  8. North Cove Township2,714 people
  9. Glenwood Township2,665 people
  10. Montford Cove Township2,356 people
  11. Nebo (CDP)1,670 people
  12. West Marion (CDP)1,066 people
All 15
  1. Old Fort (town)555 people
  2. Brackett Township464 people
  3. Glenwood (CDP)226 people

A town, township, city or borough is listed when at least half its land is in the district; a community, when its central point is. Near a district line, an address can belong to the district next door.

Bordering unified school districts, nearest first

  1. Burke County Schools20 mi east
  2. Yancey County Schools20 mi northwest
  3. Rutherford County Schools21 mi south
  4. Mitchell County Schools24 mi north
  5. Buncombe County Schools28 mi west
  6. Avery County Schools28 mi north

These share a boundary with McDowell County Schools. Distances are straight lines between central points.

Before using this answer for enrollment

A district boundary doesn’t decide which school a student attends; the district’s attendance zones and rules do. Confirm the full address and grade with McDowell County Schools before you rely on it.

See its schools and enrollment on NCES ↗

Find the school district where you are now or find your town or township.