Mitchell County

Mitchell County, NC, has a population of approximately 14,903 people. The racial composition is predominantly White (96.5%), with smaller percentages of African American (0.6%), Native American (0.2%), Asian (0.3%), and Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). The median age is around 47.8 years, with 21.5% of the population aged 65 and older. The median household income is about $39,468, and the poverty rate is approximately 17.2%.

Note: These figures are estimates and may vary based on the source and year.

As of the most recent data, the median home value in Mitchell County, NC, is approximately $158,000. The median rent is around $650 per month. Homeownership stands at about 78%, with a vacancy rate of roughly 20%. The county has seen modest appreciation rates, averaging around 4% annually. Housing types are predominantly single-family homes, making up over 70% of the market. The county also offers limited rental and multifamily housing options, catering primarily to low to middle-income families.

Mitchell County, NC, conducts local and state elections in line with the broader electoral schedule of North Carolina. The Board of Elections oversees various races including county commissioners, school board members, and judicial posts. As of recent elections, voter turnout is typically high, reflecting the community's active civic participation. For instance, the 2022 general election saw a turnout of around 65%.

In the 2022 elections, key candidates included:

• County Commissioners: Jeff Harding, Matt F. Burleson (incumbent), and Brandon Pitman.
• Sheriff: Donald Street (incumbent).
• Board of Education: Sherry Bell (incumbent), Samantha Burleson (incumbent).

These races are highly contested, with margins often reflecting the county’s close political divisions. For more detailed and up-to-date information, residents should visit the Mitchell County Board of Elections website or contact their office directly.

Mitchell County, NC, has a relatively modest educational profile compared to state and national averages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data:

• Approximately 78.8% of Mitchell County residents aged 25 and over have achieved a high school diploma or higher. This is below the national average of about 88% and the North Carolina state average of around 87%.
• Around 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which falls short of the national average of roughly 33%, and the state average of approximately 32%.

These statistics indicate that Mitchell County lags behind both the state and national averages in terms of educational attainment. Efforts to improve educational outcomes could be key to boosting overall socioeconomic development in the area.

As of the latest data, Mitchell County, NC, has an employment rate of approximately 95.4%, with a labor force of around 6,000 individuals. Key industries include manufacturing (particularly furniture and textiles), healthcare, education, and retail. Manufacturing employs about 25% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of roughly 8.5% and the North Carolina state average of around 10.7%. Healthcare and social assistance employ about 16%, compared to 14.7% nationally and 13.4% in NC. Retail trade is also critical, employing approximately 12%, aligning closely with national and state figures of about 12%. Unemployment stands at a low rate of around 4.6%, better than the national average of 5.2% and North Carolina's 4.8%. These statistics reflect Mitchell County's robust manufacturing sector and relatively high employment stability.

As of the latest data, Mitchell County, NC has a median household income of approximately $39,000. This is significantly lower than the national median household income, which stands around $68,700. It is also below the North Carolina state average, which is approximately $54,700. This discrepancy highlights the economic challenges faced by residents in Mitchell County compared to broader averages.

These figures illustrate the financial disparities that can exist within different regions of the same state and country.

As of 2023, Mitchell County, NC, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to national averages, creating a safe community environment. The crime statistics for the most recent year available are summarized below:

These figures suggest that while violent crimes remain relatively rare, property crimes are more prevalent, warranting attention towards theft prevention measures.