McDowell County Map, North Carolina

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McDowell County, North Carolina

McDowell County sits in the foothills of western North Carolina. Marion is the county seat and calls itself “Where Main Street Meets the Mountains”. And it’s true – the views are spectacular.
There’s a lot of history here. McDowell County was one of the first counties in North Carolina to discover gold. The county hosts the North Carolina Gold Festival each year. It’s a nod to its shiny past. But sorry, no they don’t hand out gold.
The county has some of the best hiking around. Linville Gorge, nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is partly in McDowell. Lake James is also a popular spot for fishing. McDowell has friendly folks and laid-back vibe. If you’re into outdoor adventure, this place is hard to beat.
Category | Details |
---|---|
County name | McDowell County |
County seat | Marion |
Population | Approximately 46,000 |
Cities, towns, and communities | Marion, Old Fort, Glenwood, Pleasant Gardens, Woodlawn, Nebo |
Interstates and highways | Interstate 40, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 221 |
FIPS code | 37-111 |
Total area (land and water) | 446 square miles (Land: 441 sq mi, Water: 5 sq mi) |
Adjacent counties (and direction) | Mitchell County (North), Avery County (North), Burke County (East), Rutherford County (South), Buncombe County (West), Yancey County (Northwest) |
Time zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
State | North Carolina |
Coordinates | 35.7000° N, 82.0663° W |
Etymology | Named after Joseph McDowell, a Revolutionary War hero |
Major landmarks | Linville Caverns, Mount Mitchell State Park, Lake James State Park, Catawba Falls |
Website | McDowell County Website |
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