The Local Population:

Population was nine-tenths white. Free labor was more common than slave labor. In 1850 there were 651 families in the county, averaging 6.5 persons per family. 42% were under age 20. Average age of groom was 25; bride was 21. In 1860 the white population of the county was 3,890.

The population of McDowell and surrounding areas of Highland County in 1860 was primarily agricultural. A quick analysis of the census data for 1860 provided by Joyce deMatteis follows:

"The census reports 439 people in the McDowell post office area in 65 households.  Among the occupations mentioned for men were farmer, gentleman, mason, student of medicine, farmhand, wagonmaker and his apprentice, cooper, physician (2), carpenter, preacher, merchant, mechanic, blacksmith, weaver, plasterer, miller.  The majority were farmers or farmhands.   For women, occupations included housekeeper, house attendant (including teenagers), houseservant (1).  There was one 30 year old male idiot and two male paupers over age 80.  

In special categories, 95 reported having attended school in the last year; 2 were married within the last year.   There was high literacy rate - only 12 were reported as unable to read or write."

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