5 cities
| City | Rank | 2025 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 1 | 7,490 | 7,707 | -0.58% | 1,254 | 6 | City |
| Nebo | 2 | 1,779 | 1,318 | 7.17% | 336 | 5 | CDP |
| Old Fort | 3 | 837 | 815 | 0.48% | 686 | 1 | Town |
| West Marion | 4 | 808 | 1,100 | -4.27% | 544 | 1 | CDP |
| Glenwood | 5 | 350 | 302 | 7.03% | 217 | 2 | CDP |
Marion is the largest city in McDowell County, with a population of 7,490.
Glenwood is the smallest city in McDowell County, with a population of 350.
There are 5 cities in McDowell County, North Carolina.