Mitchell County, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mitchell County
U.S. county
Old Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Founded	1861
Named for	Elisha Mitchell
Seat	Bakersville
Largest community	Spruce Pine
Area
• Total	221.88 sq mi (574.7 km2)
• Land	221.25 sq mi (573.0 km2)
• Water	0.63 sq mi (1.6 km2)  0.28%
Population  (2020)
• Total	14,903
• Estimate  (2023)	14,999
• Density	67.36/sq mi (26.01/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th

Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,903. Its county seat is Bakersville.

The county is home to Spruce Pine, nicknamed the "Mineral City of the World", and Bakersville, "Gateway to Roan Mountain", which includes the world's largest natural rhododendron garden and the longest stretch of grassy bald in the Appalachian range. Throughout the year such festivals as North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival and North Carolina Rhododendron Festival bring visitors to the area.

History

The county was formed in 1861 from parts of Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County. It was named for Elisha Mitchell, professor of mathematics, chemistry, geology, and mineralogy at the University of North Carolina from 1818 until his death in 1857. Dr. Mitchell was the first scientist to argue that a nearby peak in the Black Mountains was the highest point east of the Mississippi River. He measured the mountain's height and climbed and explored it. In 1857 he fell to his death on a waterfall on the side of the mountain. The mountain was subsequently named Mount Mitchell in his honor.

The county took a direct hit from "The Storm of the Century", also known as the "’93 Superstorm", or "The (Great) Blizzard of 1993". This storm event was similar in nature to a hurricane. The storm occurred between March 12–13, 1993, on the East Coast of North America. Parts of Cuba, Gulf Coast States, Eastern United States and Eastern Canada were greatly impacted.

The county suffered a tragic event on the evening of Friday, May 3, 2002 when a fire broke out at the Mitchell County jail in Bakersville, North Carolina. As a result of the fire eight men lost their lives.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 222 square miles (570 km²), of which 221 square miles (570 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (0.3%) is water. It is the fourth-smallest county in North Carolina by land area and second-smallest by total area. The northwest sections of county border the State of Tennessee. Sections of both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail are located in the county. Parts of the Pisgah National Forest and Roan Mountain State Park are located in the northern sections of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Carter County, Tennessee - north-northeast
• Avery County - northeast
• McDowell County - south
• Yancey County - southwest
• Unicoi County, Tennessee - north-northwest

National protected areas

• Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
• Pisgah National Forest (part)

Major highways

• US 19E
• NC 80
• NC 197
• NC 226
• NC 226A
• NC 261

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,903 people, 6,344 households, and 4,031 families residing in the county.

Ancestry

As of 2015, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Mitchell County were:

Economy

The Mitchell County Economic Development Commission (EDC) is a nine-member board with representatives from various business, education, and government sectors in the county. The goal of the board is to promote the establishment, development, and retention of businesses in Mitchell County.

Top 10 employers ranked largest to smallest:

1. Mitchell County Board of Education
2. Sibelco North America, Inc.
3. Blue Ridge Medical Center, Lllp.
4. Walmart Associates, Inc.
5. Mayland Community College
6. Mitchell County Government
7. Hospice of the Blue Ridge
8. Ingles Markets, Inc.
9. Bombardier Motor Corp of America (BRP)
10. The Quartz Corp USA

Education

Mitchell High School is a comprehensive four-year high school (9-12) centrally located in the community of Ledger when built in 1978.

Spruce Pine is home to three schools: Greenlee Primary (K-2), Deyton Elementary (3–5), and Harris Middle (6–8). Bakersville is home to two schools: Gouge Primary (K-4) and Bowman Middle (5–8).

Mayland Community College also calls Mitchell County home. Founded by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971, Mayland hosts some 35 curriculum programs and provides vocational and technical training, along with college transfer opportunities to residents of the region.

Penland School of Crafts is an educational facility located in the Penland Community. It is designed to educate students who will apply workable knowledge in creation of books, paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood. The school was established in the early 1920s, it is the largest and oldest professional crafts school in the United States.

Media

The county is served by The Mitchell News-Journal, a weekly newspaper printed by Community Newspapers, Inc. and WTOE radio, at 1470 kHz on the AM dial to cover local news.

Communities

Map of Mitchell County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns

• Bakersville (county seat)
• Spruce Pine

Townships

Unincorporated communities

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Mitchell (Carolina del Norte) para niños