McDowell County, North Carolina
Marion Real Estate and Local Guide
County seat of McDowell County in the Blue Ridge foothills, known for a revitalized historic Main Street and nearby mountain and lake recreation.
Living in Marion
Named North Carolina's Small Town of the Year for 2018 by the NC Rural Center. Source: mcdowellnews.com
IncomeAbout $44,472 median household
EducationAbout 14.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
CountyMcDowell County
Homes in Marion
Single-family detached homesRoughly 66% of housing units
Median home valueAbout $131,100
- About 47% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, a lower share typical of a county seat with more rental housing.
Source: ACS 2023
What makes Marion home
Carson House
Source: en.wikipedia.org
1793 house museum on the National Register of Historic Places, a former stagecoach inn
Main Street Historic District
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Riverside greenway with fishing piers and fitness stations along the Catawba River
Lake James
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Large Catawba River reservoir and state park area near Marion for boating and swimming
Marion areas to know
West Marion
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Census-designated place adjacent to the city, bordered to the south by Interstate 40