Morganton city, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Morganton city, North Carolina has a total population of 17,541, the 60th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $49,434, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.9%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Morganton city Quick Facts
How Morganton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Morganton city Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Morganton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir city | 18,282 | $48,889 | $165,200 | 20.6% | 12.9% |
| Graham city | 17,537 | $54,783 | $200,600 | 23.5% | 18.1% |
| Elizabeth City city | 18,740 | $50,947 | $202,100 | 28.0% | 15.0% |
| Albemarle city | 16,527 | $52,825 | $186,100 | 21.5% | 22.5% |
| Hope Mills town | 17,823 | $60,671 | $176,300 | 23.6% | 15.0% |
Population Overview
Morganton city is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 17,541. It ranks as the 60th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morganton city is 38.5 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morganton city is $49,434. This is 29% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 29.9%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $208,300. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 51.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Morganton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.3% vs 10.9%).
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 76.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morganton city, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Morganton city, North Carolina?
Morganton city, North Carolina has a population of 17,541 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morganton city, NC?
The median household income in Morganton city is $49,434, which is 37% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Morganton city, NC?
The poverty rate in Morganton city is 29.9%. This means approximately 4,992 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morganton city, North Carolina?
Morganton city's population is 57.6% White, 13.2% Black, 23.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morganton city, NC?
The median home value in Morganton city is $208,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Morganton city, North Carolina?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Morganton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.