Mitchell 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. | |
| Coordinates: 36°01′N 82°10′W / 36.01°N 82.16°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| Founded | 1861 |
| Named for | Elisha Mitchell[1] |
| 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 |
| Website | www |
Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,903.[2] Its county seat is Bakersville.[3]
The county is home to Spruce Pine, nicknamed the "Mineral City of the World",[4] 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.[5] Throughout the year such festivals as North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival and North Carolina Rhododendron Festival bring visitors to the area.[6][7]
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 210.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
2020CensusQuickFactswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Mims, Bryan (March 31, 2014). "Exploring the Spruce Pine Mining District". Our State. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ "Roan Mountain State Park". Hiking In The Smokys. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ Mitchell News-Journal (July 26, 2023). "Pair of annual gem shows return to area". Mitchell News-Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ "North Carolina Rhododendron Festival". RomanticAsheville.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.