Population
Mitchell County has a stable population of about 15,000 residents, or about 72 people per square mile. For comparison, New York City has over 27,000 people per square mile.
The bulk of our residents are workforce ready, with 77.8% graduation rates in 2024 and 62% of our population aged 16-64. Our workforce is diversified as well, with 15.4% in Manufacturing, 13.5% in Retail & Trade, 11.5% in Healthcare, and so on.
Mitchell County, NC Population Trends
1970 (actual) to 2030 (projected)
Percent change in population by decade
Mitchell County and North Carolina
1970 (actual) to 2020 (projected)
Mitchell County Population 1970 – 2020
By selected age groups
Education
Data from the NC Department of Public Instruction indicates that for the 2023-2024 school year, Mitchell County Schools had a graduation rate of 77.8% (compared to the NC rate of 87%). Mitchell County High School tracks college attendance rates for graduating seniors. Following the 2023-2024 school year, this data indicates a high rate of engagement in programs that lead to community college enrollment or transfer to a 4-year university.
2016-2020 Residence to Work Flow estimates
for mitchell county residents
| Workers Living in and Employed in Mitchell County | 3,889 |
| Workers Employed Outside of Mitchell County but in North Carolina | 2,114 |
| Workers Employed Outside of North Carolina | 314 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2020 American Community Survey.
Income
Estimates from the 2017-2021 5-Year American Community Survey (ACS) by the US Census show that median household income in Mitchell County was $48,320. The number is slightly above estimates for the High Country Council Governments 7-county service area known as Region D.
Medican Household Income Estimates
(2017-2021 Average)
Workforce by industry