formed at the start of the Civil War, and until 1911 encompassed most of present-day Avery County, North Carolina. County government is of the county manager/county commission type, with 5 sitting Board members. There are two incorporated towns in Mitchell County. The county seat is Bakersville, in the northern section, with a population of about 500. The County's largest town is Spruce Pine, located in the southern section, which has a population of about 2,500. Both towns feature the mayor/town council form of government.