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Old Fort

A town of 811 people in North Carolina
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About Old Fort

Town in McDowell County, North Carolina
811Population
1.2 sq miArea
1,444 ftElevation

Old Fort is a town in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 811 in the 2020 U.S. census, down from 908 in 2010.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code28762
Area code828
Living in Old Fort

Housing in Old Fort

$272K▼ 3.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Old Fort home is worth about $272,000, down 3.9% in a year, 19% below the North Carolina typical home.

Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Old Fort

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Most working residents leave Old Fort for work: only 6% work in town. The top destinations are Asheville (13%), Marion (11%) and Black Mountain (6%). Half commute less than 22 miles.

Asheville
13%
Marion
11%
Black Mountain
6%
Charlotte
6%
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Old Fort →

Health in Old Fort

Compared with North Carolina

5worse than NC

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 27 are too close to call.

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

Care nearby

The Mcdowell HospitalMarion · 8.7 mi · ER
Mcdowell County Health CenterMarion · 8.9 mi · sliding-scale fees
Primary careShortage · county-wide
DentalShortage · county-wide
Mental healthShortage · county-wide
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Old Fort · CMS · HRSAHealth in Old Fort →

Natural hazards in Old Fort

79
High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 79% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Old Fort →

Climate in Old Fort

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Old Fort has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 27°, and about 7 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

52° / 29°Winter
70° / 43°Spring
86° / 62°Summer
70° / 45°Fall
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Old Fort →

Schools in Old Fort

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C+

School Grade C+

The public schools Old Fort’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 57% of North Carolina’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictMcDowell County SchoolsSchools1

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NC. Ratings are from neighbors.

Old Fort’s library

Library details →
Old Fort Branch Library65 E Mitchell St. · part of Mcdowell County Public Library
E-books38 hrs a week
IMLS Public Libraries Survey · FY2024Old Fort Branch Library →

Famous people from Old Fort

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How things work in Old Fort

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We left the porch light on

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Boundary source: https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/18 · 2025-01-01