McDowell County, North Carolina

McDowell County is a county in North Carolina. The population of the county is 44,996.
McDowell County 	North Carolina
Founded 	1842
Named for 	Joseph McDowell
County seat 	Marion
Population 	44,996
Habitat 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain
Cong. District 	11th
County Guildmaster	Jeffrey Church
Time Zone 	Eastern (UTC -5/-4)
== Major roads ==
Interstate 40
US Route 64
US Route 70
US Route 221
US Route 221A
North Carolina Highway 80
North Carolina Highway 126
North Carolina Highway 183
North Carolina Highway 226
North Carolina Highway 226A
== Geography ==
=== Adjacent counties ===
Burke County (east)
Mitchell County (north)
Avery County (northeast)
Yancey County (northwest)
Rutherford County (south)
Buncombe County (west)
== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the racial composition of the county is:
88.49% White (39,816)
5.71% Hispanic or Latino (2,569)
3.93% Black or African American (1,768)
1.87% Other (843)
18.3% (8,234) of McDowell County residents live below the poverty line.
== Theft rate statistics ==
McDowell County has low to below average rates of Pokemon theft and murder. The county reported 9 Pokemon thefts in 2018, and averages 0.84 murders a year.
== Pokemon ==
Pokemon 	Location 	Rate
Bulbasaur 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-60%
Ivysaur 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-45%
Venusaur 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-30%
Charmander 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-5%
Charmeleon 	Forest 	1%
Caterpie 	Forest, Mountain 	1-65%, 1-75%
Metapod 	Forest, Mountain 	1-60%, 1-70%
Butterfree 	Forest, Mountain 	1-55%, 1-65%
Weedle 	Forest, Mountain 	1-40%, 1-40%
Kakuna 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-35%
Beedrill 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-30%
Rattata 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-20%
Raticate 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Ekans 	Forest, Mountain 	1-25%, 1-15%
Arbok 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1%
Pikachu 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-12%, 1-12%, 1-7%
Raichu 	Farmland, Forest 	1%, 1%
Sandshrew 	Forest, Mountain 	1-7%, 1-5%
NidoranF/NidoranM 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-30%
Nidorina/Nidorino 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-15%
Nidoqueen/Nidoking	Forest, Mountain 	1%, 1%
Clefairy 	Mountain 	1-36%
Clefable 	Mountain 	1-18%
Vulpix 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-2%
Jigglypuff 	Mountain 	1-25%
Wigglytuff 	Mountain 	1-10%
Oddish 	Forest, Mountain 	1-43%, 1-57%
Gloom 	Forest, Mountain 	1-28%, 1-42%
Vileplume 	Forest, Mountain 	1-7%, 1-21%
Paras 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-15%
Parasect 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1%
Venonat 	Forest, Mountain 	1-60%, 1-75%
Venomoth 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-60%
Psyduck 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-20%
Poliwag 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-30%
Poliwhirl 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-15%
Poliwrath 	Forest (Fishing) 	1%
Bellsprout 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-10%
Weepinbell 	Forest 	1%
Scyther 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-33%
Pinsir 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-10%
Magikarp 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-65%
Eevee 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-15%
Vaporeon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Vaporeon 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-15%
Jolteon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Flareon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Dratini 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Chikorita 	Forest, Mountain 	1-50%, 1-50%
Bayleef 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-35%
Meganium 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-20%
Cyndaquil 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-35%
Quilava 	Forest, Mountain 	1-21%, 1-21%
Typhlosion 	Forest, Mountain 	1-3%, 1-3%
Sentret 	Forest, Mountain 	1-63%, 1-70%
Furret 	Forest, Mountain 	1-46%, 1-53%
Ledyba 	Forest, Mountain 	1-70%, 1-80%
Ledian 	Forest, Mountain 	1-53%, 1-63%
Spinarak 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-50%
Ariados 	Forest, Mountain 	1-17%, 1-32%
Pichu 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-14%, 1-14%, 1-12%
Mareep 	Farmland, Forest 	1-9%, 1-6%
Flaaffy 	Farmland 	1-2%
Cleffa 	Mountain 	1-26%
Igglybuff 	Mountain 	1-18%
Marill 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1-20%
Azumarill 	Mountain 	1-8%
Politoed 	Forest (Fishing) 	1%
Hoppip 	Forest, Mountain 	1-67%, 1-83%
Skiploom 	Forest, Mountain 	1-52%, 1-68%
Jumpluff 	Forest, Mountain 	1-37%, 1-53%
Sunkern 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-40%
Sunflora 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-25%
Wooper 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-30%
Quagsire 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-15%
Espeon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Umbreon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Pineco 	Mountain 	1-15%
Gligar 	Forest, Mountain 	1-25%, 1-40%
Scizor 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-18%
Heracross 	Forest, Mountain 	1-41%, 1-56%
Sneasel 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-35%
Teddiursa 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-35%
Ursaring 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-20%
Stantler 	Forest, Mountain 	1-50%, 1-60%
Elekid 	Forest, Mountain 	1-14%, 1-14%
Treecko 	Forest, Mountain 	1-48%, 1-63%
Grovyle 	Forest, Mountain 	1-33%, 1-48%
Sceptile 	Forest, Mountain 	1-18%, 1-33%
Mudkip 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-24%
Marshtomp 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-8%
Zigzagoon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-65%, 1-80%
Linoone 	Forest, Mountain 	1-50%, 1-65%
Wurmple 	Forest, Mountain 	1-75%, 1-89%
Silcoon/Cascoon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-68%, 1-82%
Beautifly/Dustox 	Forest, Mountain 	1-61%, 1-75%
Seedot 	Forest 	1-35%
Nuzleaf 	Forest 	1-20%
Shiftry 	Forest 	1%
Ralts 	Forest, Mountain 	1-57%, 1-65%
Kirlia 	Forest, Mountain 	1-42%, 1-50%
Gardevoir 	Forest, Mountain 	1-27%, 1-35%
Surskit 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-45%
Masquerain 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-30%
Shroomish 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-56%
Breloom 	Forest, Mountain 	1-25%, 1-36%
Nincada 	Forest, Mountain 	1-32%, 1-32%
Ninjask 	Forest, Mountain 	1-17%, 1-17%
Azurill 	Forest, Mountain 	1-4%, 1-14%
Aron 	Mountain 	1-35%
Lairon 	Mountain 	1-10%
Electrike 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-14%, 1-14%, 1-9%
Manectric 	Farmland, Forest 	1-2%, 1-2%
Plusle/Minun 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-13%, 1-13%, 1-10%
Volbeat/Illumise 	Forest, Mountain 	1-40%, 1-40%
Swablu 	Forest, Mountain 	1-7%, 1-15%
Zangoose 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-50%
Seviper 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-20%
Anorith 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1-10%
Kecleon 	Forest 	1-12%
Absol 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-15%
Snorunt 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-15%
Bagon 	Mountain 	1-20%
Shelgon 	Mountain 	1%
Beldum 	Mountain 	1-13%
Turtwig 	Forest, Mountain 	1-40%, 1-50%
Grotle 	Forest, Mountain 	1-25%, 1-35%
Torterra 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1-20%
Chimchar 	Forest, Mountain 	1-22%, 1-12%
Monferno 	Forest, Mountain 	1-12%, 1-2%
Infernape 	Forest 	1-2%
Piplup 	Forest, Mountain 	1-27%, 1-27%
Prinplup 	Forest, Mountain 	1-17%, 1-17%
Empoleon 	Forest, Mountain 	1%, 1%
Kricketot 	Forest, Mountain 	1-75%, 1-88%
Kricketune 	Forest, Mountain 	1-62%, 1-75%
Shinx 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-15%, 1-15%, 1-13%
Luxio 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-5%, 1-5%, 1-3%
Cranidos 	Mountain 	1-20%
Rampardos 	Mountain 	1%
Shieldon 	Mountain 	1-15%
Burmy 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%
Wormadan/Mothim 	Forest, Mountain 	1-25%, 1-25%
Buizel 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-25%
Floatzel 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-7%
Riolu 	Forest 	1-30%
Lucario 	Forest 	1-13%
Snover 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-15%
Weavile 	Mountain 	1-10%
Leafeon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-15%
Glaceon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1-10%
Gliscor 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-20%
Gallade 	Forest, Mountain 	1-27%, 1-35%
Snivy 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-58%
Servine 	Forest, Mountain 	1-32%, 1-45%
Serperior 	Forest, Mountain 	1-19%, 1-32%
Patrat 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-50%
Watchog 	Forest, Mountain 	1-22%, 1-37%
Roggenrola 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-40%
Boldore 	Forest, Mountain 	1%, 1-20%
Gigalith 	Mountain 	1%
Drilbur 	Forest, Mountain 	1-37%, 1-58%
Excadrill 	Forest, Mountain 	1-19%, 1-40%
Tympole 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-35%
Palpitoad 	Forest (Fishing) 	1-5%, 1-15%
Sewaddle 	Forest, Mountain 	1-75%, 1-92%
Swadloon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-57%, 1-75%
Leavanny 	Forest, Mountain 	1-37%, 1-55%
Venipede 	Forest, Mountain 	1-60%, 1-65%
Whirlipede 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-50%
Scolipede 	Forest, Mountain 	1-22%, 1-27%
Zorua 	Forest, Mountain 	1-38%, 1-52%
Zoroark 	Forest, Mountain 	1-18%, 1-30%
Minccino 	Forest, Mountain 	1-65%, 1-65%
Cinccino 	Forest, Mountain 	1-50%, 1-50%
Deerling 	Forest, Mountain 	1-80%, 1-93%
Sawsbuck 	Forest, Mountain 	1-60%, 1-75%
Emolga 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-11%, 1-11%, 1-7%
Joltik 	Forest, Mountain 	1-57%, 1-72%
Galvantula 	Forest, Mountain 	1-42%, 1-57%
Axew 	Mountain 	1-10%
Chespin 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-48%
Quilladin 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-33%
Chesnaught 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-18%
Fennekin 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-20%
Braixen 	Forest, Mountain 	1-10%, 1-10%
Scatterbug 	Forest, Mountain 	1-85%, 1-92%
Spewpa 	Forest, Mountain 	1-80%, 1-86%
Vivillon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-72%, 1-77%
Skiddo 	Mountain 	1-20%
Helioptile 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-12%, 1-12%, 1-7%
Heliolisk 	Farmland, Forest 	1%, 1%
Tyrunt 	Mountain 	1-15%
Sylveon 	Forest, Mountain 	1-5%, 1-5%
Dedenne 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-10%, 1-10%, 1-4%
Rowlet 	Forest, Mountain 	1-45%, 1-65%
Dartrix 	Forest, Mountain 	1-30%, 1-50%
Decidueye 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-35%
Yungoos 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-50%
Gumshoos 	Forest, Mountain 	1-20%, 1-35%
Grubbin 	Mountain 	1-60%
Charjabug 	Mountain 	1-45%
Vikavolt 	Mountain 	1-10%
Stufful 	Forest, Mountain 	1-15%, 1-45%
Bewear 	Mountain 	1-24%
Bounsweet 	Forest, Mountain 	1-65%, 1-75%
Steenee 	Forest, Mountain 	1-50%, 1-60%
Tsareena 	Forest, Mountain 	1-35%, 1-45%
Togedemaru 	Farmland, Forest, Mountain	1-16%, 1-16%, 1-8%
== Communities ==
=== Cities ===
Marion - 7,838
=== Towns ===
Old Fort - 908
=== CDPs ===
West Marion - 1,348
=== Unincorporated communities ===
Ashford
Dysartsville
Glenwood
Linville Falls (partly in Avery and Burke counties)
Little Switzerland (partly in Mitchell County)
Nebo
North Cove
Pleasant Gardens
Providence
Wildacres
== Climate ==
Stats 	Amount
Average yearly rainfall 	53 inches
Average yearly snowfall 	8 inches
Average yearly sunny days	212
Severe storm risk 	7 (High)
Tornado risk 	3 (Low)
Blizzard risk 	2 (Low)
== Fun facts ==
* West Marion is mostly an extension of Marion, and it has the city's Walmart and Nintendo World, along with a couple of car dealers, Arby's, Waffle House, Hwy. 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, a couple of local restaurants, Mission Hospital McDowell, and not much else.
* During the Carolina Gold Rush period of the early 19th century, the south county area was known for its gold production. The banks of the Muddy Creek and mines at Vein Mountain were productive areas. Many mines and thriving gold rush towns such as Brackettown no longer exist, although scattered ruins and cemeteries mark many locations of the gold rush period.There were other mines in the area also including an old mine in Woodlawn. In that community someone opened a mine on Tom's Creek which may have been a Mica mine. There are remnants of the sorting house and the old mine shaft itself. Who opened and ran this mine is unknown.
* Old Fort festivals include popular annual events such as Pioneer Day hosted by Mountain Gateway Museum on the last Saturday in April. The North Carolina Gold Festival is held the first Friday/Saturday in June, also on the grounds of Mountain Gateway Museum. Old Fort's Chamber of Commerce continues their annual event with Octoberfest taking place the first weekend in October, again on the grounds of Mountain Gateway Museum. This is a N.C. state museum and is part of the N.C. Dept. of Cultural Resources.
* In 2010, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission added Old Fort to their list of N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout Towns. This designation includes a special $5.00 fishing license that is active for three days and is good for use in any of the state's mountain trout towns. In downtown Old Fort, the section of Mill Creek bordering Mountain Gateway Museum at 102 Water Street is a public portion of this stream and is a delayed harvest stream.
* Old Fort has several attractions, including Andrews Geyser and the Arrowhead Monument. The granite arrowhead was built as a symbol of peace between the two Native American tribes; the Cherokee and Catawba. At the dedication ceremony in 1930, thousands of onlookers gathered at town square to see the 14 ft. rose granite arrowhead sitting atop a natural stone base. The Arrowhead serves as the focal point for the town, which is traversed by U.S. Highway 70 and Interstate 40. Additionally, residents of Old Fort and travelers alike frequent a "locally famous" establishment known as Mr. Bobs donuts, located on Old Hwy. 70 in downtown Mr. Bobs sponsors the annual "Western North Carolina Donut Fest" and half marathon. Mr. Bobs has quickly established themselves as a favorite, must see attraction when visiting both Old Fort and Marion. Residents are also reconstructing Davidson Fort, the Revolutionary War fort that gave Old Fort its current name. Catawba Falls, the largest waterfall in McDowell County and the headwaters of the Catawba River, is located just outside the town limits. In 2009, a partnership between the N.C. Department of Transportation, the local county and town governments with assistance from the United States Forest Service and the local trails association, a portion of Old Highway 70 reopened to bicycle and foot traffic. Point Lookout Trail is a popular paved trail ascending almost 1,000 feet through the Swannanoa Gap in just under 4 miles. Point Lookout was once a popular tourist stop for travelers driving west to Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains.
* Numerous small creeks and streams flow through the county. The Catawba River crosses the county and empties into Lake James. It flows over Catawba Falls on its way, which is accessible to the public. Other waterfalls can be found in the county, such as Toms Creek Falls. Almost half of the county, including the two aforementioned waterfalls, is located inside the Pisgah National Forest. Linville Caverns, North Carolina's only limestone cavern system open to the public, is located in the far northern part of the county.
Category:North Carolina Counties