Mitchell County, NC borders Avery near Bakersville metropolitan centre giving a 2020 estimated census population standing of 15,272 making it the 98th most populous county located in North Carolina overall. Its county seat is Bakersville although other cities include Grassy Creek & Red Hill- Bakersville itself equates out to Mitchell’s biggest town aside from acknowledged county seat. This area had been created out of Yancey and Burke counties back in 1861 when local residents petitioned for new administrative boundaries - posthumously named after Elisha Mitchell American politician who served as State Senator During Period James Polk .