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The American Political Almanac
RECONSTRUCTION & THE GILDED AGETHE SYSTEM OF 1896THE NEW DEAL ORDERTHE LONG REALIGNMENTPOLARIZED ERA1868RRRRD1888RDRRR1908RDDRR1928RDDDD1948DRRDD1968RRDRR1988RDDRR2008DDRD2024R

County record · fips 37111 · North Carolina

McDowellNC

Republican ×12 since 1980all 40 elections, 1868–2024

The Long Record

40 elections against the North Carolina and national vote
2024 result
R+49.5
won by Republicans
Record since first cycle
19–21
Dem–Rep two-party wins
Voted with the winner
26/40
65% of its elections
Closest election
1928
D+0.1
this countyNorth Carolinanational (official)dot colour = two-party winner · hollow = tie or unknown total · click a dot to open that election

The Biggest Swings

Cycle-over-cycle change in the two-party margin, in points
ElectionSwingToward
1976+64.1 ptsDemocrats
1912+52.8 ptsDemocrats
1968-50.6 ptsRepublicans
1916-48.0 ptsRepublicans
1932+31.9 ptsDemocrats

Who Lives Here

Census & ACS county profile, 2024
Population
44,817
College (BA+)
18%
Median income
$57,168
2024 dollars
Non-white
14%
Rural
73%
Age 65+
21%

Interpolated between Census/ACS anchors; income CPI-deflated to 2024. Demographics begin in 2000 — earlier cycles have returns only.

Neighbouring counties

Avery, NC · Buncombe, NC · Burke, NC · Mitchell, NC · Rutherford, NC · Yancey, NC