McDowell County NC Real Estate: Houses for Sale & School District Info
Land & Homes for Sale in McDowell County NC
McDowell County is a mostly rural county with small towns located throughout. Home to some of the state’s most beautiful natural attractions, McDowell County is popular for those looking to buy vacation homes, but it’s also a wonderful place to call home year-round. Houses for sale in McDowell County are varied, so whether you’re looking for a bungalow in a small town, a lakeside home, or a cabin on a mountaintop, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for in our listings. Before you browse, keep reading to learn more about the perks of living in McDowell County, as well as the county’s schools and neighborhoods.
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More About McDowell County NC Real Estate
What makes McDowell County special? We’re glad you asked. Here are our top three reasons to move here:
Benefits to Choosing Real Estate in McDowell County NC
- Scenic Surroundings | Stunning overlooks, glistening water, awe-inspiring caverns – McDowell County has all of this and much more. A large portion of the county lies within the borders of Pisgah National Forest. Linville Caverns and part of the Linville Gorge Wilderness, the western part of Lake James, Toms Creek Falls, and Catawba Falls are all located in McDowell County.
- Things to Do | If you love spending time outdoors, this is the place for you. You can hike in Pisgah National Forest, sunbathe or fish at Lake James, snap photos of gorgeous waterfalls, or go biking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. When you want to relax, you can grab a delicious pint of beer in Old Fort (at Whaley Farm Brewery) or a glass of mead in Marion (at Keeper’s Cut Meadery).
- Proximity to Cities | Living in McDowell County offers convenient access to Asheville, Hickory, and Charlotte. This means you can easily attend events, dine, shop, and access air or train transportation in these cities whenever you like, then return to the peace and quiet of the country afterwards.
Towns in McDowell County NC
- Old Fort
- Marion
- Lake James
- Nebo
- Dysartsville
- Little Switzerland
Popular Neighborhoods in McDowell County NC
- The Arbor at Lake James
- Bear Cliff
- Catawba Falls Preserve
- Cobblestone
- Creston
- Downtown Marion
- Gateway Mountain
- Grandview Peaks
- Linville Falls Mountain Club and Preserve
- Oakwood Forest
- Waterglyn
Shortoff Mountain overlooking Lake James
Schools in McDowell County NC
McDowell County Public Schools
There are eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school in the McDowell County Public School system. The district also offers an alternative secondary school option, Summit Academy.
One of the three middle schools is Foothills Community School, a small public school in Marion that has a focus on STEM. High schoolers interested in STEM can attend McDowell Academy for Innovation. For high schoolers who want to get a head start on college, there’s McDowell Early College.
Private Schools in McDowell County
The two private schools in McDowell County are New Manna Christian School (Marion) and Nebo Crossing Academy (Nebo).
- New Manna Christian School is connected with New Manna Baptist Church. This school accepts kids from kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Nebo Crossing Academy is a school with a Christian worldview accepting kids from kindergarten through 12th grade.
McDowell County NC FAQs
What is McDowell County NC known for?
McDowell County is known for its natural landmarks and its charming small towns. It was also chosen as the filming location for “The Last of the Mohicans;” parts of this historical drama were shot near Lake James.
How big is McDowell County NC?
McDowell measures 440.61 square miles and ranks 55th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties in terms of physical size. The NC Office of State Budget and Management estimated that 44,369 residents lived in McDowell County as of July 2022.
Though it may not be the state’s biggest county, McDowell has plenty of elevation change. The county’s topography spans from the low-altitude Piedmont through the Foothills and all the way up to Pinnacle Mountain, the second-highest mountain in the Blue Ridge.
What counties surround McDowell County NC?
McDowell County is surrounded by Buncombe (west), Mitchell (north), Avery (north), Burke (east), Rutherford (south), and Yancey (northwest) counties.
If you want to learn more about McDowell County NC real estate, drop us a line. The Freestone Properties team is familiar with the homes and land for sale in McDowell County, and we’ll be happy to help you begin your home-buying journey here in Western North Carolina.
