Morganton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Morganton, North Carolina had a total population of 17,646, the 62nd largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,355, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Morganton Quick Facts
How Morganton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,541 | 17,646 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $49,434 | $51,355 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $208,300 | $221,700 | +6.4% |
How Morganton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Morganton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | 7.7% | $185,600 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Morganton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | 18,299 | $49,910 | $179,400 | 21.2% | 14.6% |
| Havelock | 17,691 | $58,408 | $207,700 | 18.7% | 14.3% |
| Graham | 18,048 | $56,239 | $233,800 | 24.7% | 16.8% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Albemarle | 16,762 | $46,881 | $204,800 | 20.4% | 24.9% |
Population Overview
Morganton is a small city located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 17,646. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Morganton is 37.8 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Morganton is $51,355. This is 29% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 98% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $221,700. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Morganton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Morganton, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Morganton, North Carolina?
Morganton, North Carolina has a population of 17,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Morganton, NC?
The median household income in Morganton is $51,355, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Morganton, NC?
The poverty rate in Morganton is 25.7%. This means approximately 4,334 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Morganton, North Carolina?
Morganton's population is 58.4% White, 14.3% Black, 22.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Morganton, NC?
The median home value in Morganton is $221,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Morganton, North Carolina?
26.1% of adults (25+) in Morganton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.