Population 14,992 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Mitchell County
Household size in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.28 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.21 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Mitchell County are small: just 2.21 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.28 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, only nine have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.4 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.1 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.1, Mitchell County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.8, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.5% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Mitchell County: 7.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged down 0.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only nine of North Carolina's 100 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Mitchell County
Renters in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.0% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.7% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Mitchell County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly six in ten owners (57.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.4% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 27.6% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.7% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 22.7% of the housing in Mitchell County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.0 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1974 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +7 | +6 |
The typical home in Mitchell County was built around 1979, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in North Carolina as a whole, where the median home dates to 1990. The median year built has moved up from 1974 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $491 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $550 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $586 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $845 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$353 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Mitchell County pays $845 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $353 a month from 2006–10, a 72% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 23.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Mitchell County
Bachelor's degrees in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.8 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Mitchell County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 23.9%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.8 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.1% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.8% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.9 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Mitchell County have finished high school (90.8%), a bit above the national rate of 89.3%. North Carolina as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 13.9 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Mitchell County
| Period | Mitchell County | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.9% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.4% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little harder to find in Mitchell County than nationally: unemployment was 6.4%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Mitchell County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell County | 2.21 | 48.1 | 7.5% | 23.7% | 22.7% | 1979 | $845 | 23.9% | 90.8% | 6.4% |
| Yancey County | 2.31 | 48.9 | 7.2% | 20.6% | 26.7% | 1988 | $880 | 25.1% | 90.5% | 7.1% |
| Avery County | 2.31 | 46.8 | 5.7% | 17.0% | 42.2% | 1984 | $869 | 25.0% | 87.4% | 4.6% |
| Madison County | 2.57 | 45.4 | 9.7% | 22.5% | 25.2% | 1986 | $880 | 32.3% | 89.7% | 2.6% |
| Caldwell County | 2.49 | 43.9 | 13.4% | 26.5% | 12.5% | 1980 | $799 | 19.3% | 85.0% | 5.2% |
| Alexander County | 2.48 | 45.1 | 10.7% | 19.3% | 14.4% | 1985 | $774 | 16.9% | 85.7% | 4.6% |
| Cocke County | 2.39 | 44.3 | 15.3% | 25.5% | 13.1% | 1985 | $830 | 10.9% | 84.6% | 3.7% |
| Jefferson County | 2.56 | 45.0 | 10.1% | 24.2% | 13.2% | 1988 | $914 | 20.4% | 89.0% | 4.5% |
| Sevier County | 2.51 | 43.2 | 10.5% | 29.3% | 22.0% | 1995 | $1,131 | 22.3% | 88.1% | 3.3% |
| Davie County | 2.61 | 44.3 | 8.4% | 17.8% | 10.8% | 1988 | $908 | 27.3% | 91.1% | 4.8% |
| Knox County | 2.46 | 38.8 | 9.4% | 34.8% | 8.5% | 1985 | $1,401 | 41.4% | 92.2% | 3.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Hampshire County, WV · Grenada County, MS · Grundy County, IA · Grundy County, MO · Grundy County, TN · Guanica Municipio, PR · Guayanilla Municipio, PR · Gulf County, FL · Gunnison County, CO · Yell County, AR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Mitchell County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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