Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 35 min6:12 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 44 min7:33 am – 5:18 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People8,150 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 47.93,288 householdsMedian household income $54,869Median home value $176,700Median rent $1,088 a month84% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $904 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting0.7% unemployment rate52% of adults are in the labour force, 3,430 employedMain industries: manufacturing 21%, retail 19%, education and health care 18%Average commute 30 minutes86% drive alone, 6% car-pool, 3% walk or cycle, 4% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages20% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher83% finished high school, 10% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 99%, Spanish 1%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 85°F, lows 67°FColdest month January: highs 49°F, lows 28°F57 in of rain a year, on about 82 dayswettest month June7 in of snow a year, on about 3 days32 days above 90°F, 101 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Marion station, 6 mi away
Nearby landmarksStructure Number Eight Lakelake · under a mileReedy Mountainpeak · 1.9 miLittle Mountainpeak · 2.8 miMcDowell Technical Community Collegecollege · 3.9 miLake Jameslake · 4.2 miNorth Fork Catawba Riverriver · 5.1 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsBobs Creek State Natural Areastate park · 4.3 mi · 3,706 acresLake James State Parkstate park · 4.6 miMcDowell County - Maple Leaf Sports Complexrecreation area · 6.3 miMcDowell County - Carroll Hemphill Memorial Parkrecreation area · 6.8 miFonta Flora State Trailstate park · 9.4 mi · 240 acresSouth Mountains State Parkstate park · 10.3 mi · 21,329 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes7 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 5 May 198138 mi away, near Barker Heights, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Dec 201434 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowMcDowell County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsIce storm Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality82% of days had good air in 2025291 of 357 days measured65 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 31, worst day 102main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Mitchell County, NC, 27 mi away
Internet at home84% of households have a broadband subscription54% have cable, fibre or DSL19% rely on a mobile data plan alone13% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterBlack Bear Developmentserves 343 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,229 ft375 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalMission Hospital McDowell7.0 miPost officeNebo Post Office2.0 miTown hallMarion City Hall5.8 miPoliceMarion Police Department5.7 miFire stationNebo Volunteer Fire Department2.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeMcDowell Technical Community College3.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportAsheville Regional Airport AVL40 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT63 miInterstateI-401.2 miUS highwayUS 701.6 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS51 miCoachForest CitySunway Charters26 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28761 ZIP area.
