5 cities
| City | Rank | 2025 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Change | Density | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 1 | 7,373 | 7,673 | -0.81% | 1,234 | 5.97 | City |
| Nebo | 2 | 1,779 | 1,318 | 7.17% | 336 | 5.30 | CDP |
| Old Fort | 3 | 822 | 811 | 0.24% | 673 | 1.22 | Town |
| West Marion | 4 | 808 | 1,100 | -4.26% | 544 | 1.48 | CDP |
| Glenwood | 5 | 350 | 302 | 7.03% | 217 | 1.61 | CDP |
Marion is the largest city in McDowell County, with a population of 7,373.
Glenwood is the smallest city in McDowell County.
There are 5 cities in McDowell County, North Carolina.