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NC Regular Public School District 15 Schools

McDowell County Schools

Marion, NC 28752 • McDowell County • 15 Operating Schools
(828) 652-4535
Official Website

Community Population & Income Overview

Census 2023 • SAIPE 2024
Total Population
44,679
6,762 school-age (5-17)
Median Household Income
$55,527
Overall Poverty Rate
13.98%
6,057 people in poverty
Child Poverty Rate
18.57%
1,199 children in poverty

School-Age Child Poverty Trends (5-Year History)

Annual Census SAIPE estimates for school district children aged 5–17 in poverty

SAIPE 2020–2024
0% 7% 14% 21% 28% U.S. Baseline: 14.67% NC Avg: 15.62% 2020 Poverty Rate: 19.27% (1,295 / 6,722 kids) 19.27% 2020 1,295 kids 2021 Poverty Rate: 19.67% (1,319 / 6,707 kids) 19.67% 2021 1,319 kids 2022 Poverty Rate: 21.73% (1,426 / 6,562 kids) 21.73% 2022 1,426 kids 2023 Poverty Rate: 18.63% (1,219 / 6,542 kids) 18.63% 2023 1,219 kids 2024 Poverty Rate: 18.57% (1,199 / 6,456 kids) 18.57% 2024 1,199 kids
Census Vintage School-Age Children (5–17) Children in Poverty District Poverty Rate State Benchmark National Benchmark
2020 6,722 1,295 19.27% 16.61% 14.57%
2021 6,707 1,319 19.67% 16.85% 15.78%
2022 6,562 1,426 21.73% 16.18% 15.17%
2023 6,542 1,219 18.63% 16.64% 14.98%
2024 6,456 1,199 18.57% 15.62% 14.67%

Housing & Real Estate Context

Census 2023
Median Home Value $168,300
Median Gross Rent $741/mo
Owner-Occupied 13,657
Renter-Occupied 4,788
Owner-Occupied: 13,657 (74%) Renter-Occupied: 4,788 (26%)
Occupied 18,445

Housing Tenure Distribution

Ratio of owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied residential households

Owner-Occupied 13,657 (74%)
Renter-Occupied 4,788 (26%)

Household Income Distribution (16 Brackets)

Census 2023 • Total: 18,445 households
892 (4.8%)
< $10k
967 (5.2%)
$10k-$14k
913 (4.9%)
$15k-$19k
866 (4.7%)
$20k-$24k
832 (4.5%)
$25k-$29k
920 (5%)
$30k-$34k
1,198 (6.5%)
$35k-$39k
731 (4%)
$40k-$44k
965 (5.2%)
$45k-$49k
1,706 (9.2%)
$50k-$59k
2,092 (11.3%)
$60k-$74k
2,438 (13.2%)
$75k-$99k
1,505 (8.2%)
$100k-$124k
888 (4.8%)
$125k-$149k
907 (4.9%)
$150k-$199k
625 (3.4%)
$200k+
< $10k
892 (4.8%)
$10k-$14k
967 (5.2%)
$15k-$19k
913 (4.9%)
$20k-$24k
866 (4.7%)
$25k-$29k
832 (4.5%)
$30k-$34k
920 (5%)
$35k-$39k
1,198 (6.5%)
$40k-$44k
731 (4%)
$45k-$49k
965 (5.2%)
$50k-$59k
1,706 (9.2%)
$60k-$74k
2,092 (11.3%)
$75k-$99k
2,438 (13.2%)
$100k-$124k
1,505 (8.2%)
$125k-$149k
888 (4.8%)
$150k-$199k
907 (4.9%)
$200k+
625 (3.4%)

School-Age Grade Population Distribution

Census 2023 • Total: 6,044 students
470 (7.8%)
1st
391 (6.5%)
2nd
574 (9.5%)
3rd
478 (7.9%)
4th
400 (6.6%)
5th
483 (8%)
6th
658 (10.9%)
7th
506 (8.4%)
8th
691 (11.4%)
9th
470 (7.8%)
10th
528 (8.7%)
11th
395 (6.5%)
12th
1st Grade
470 (7.8%)
2nd Grade
391 (6.5%)
3rd Grade
574 (9.5%)
4th Grade
478 (7.9%)
5th Grade
400 (6.6%)
6th Grade
483 (8%)
7th Grade
658 (10.9%)
8th Grade
506 (8.4%)
9th Grade
691 (11.4%)
10th Grade
470 (7.8%)
11th Grade
528 (8.7%)
12th Grade
395 (6.5%)