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CITY

Morganton

North Carolina · 17,849 residents (2025 est.) · 19.226 sq mi
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The short version

Morganton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,355. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $221,700. The poverty rate of 25.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 29% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,646
+2%since 2000
from 17,310 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
918 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 900 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.8
−3%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,849 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K16K17K18K1990201020202024Morganton
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,355
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,678 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,317
+40%since 2000
from $20,906 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
30.1%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.7%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.492
+1%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$221,700
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$944
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $475 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
54.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
45.3% rent
Vacancy rate
8.7%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 24.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+68%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
62
RELATED:See current rent listings in Morganton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.6%(12,570)
Black12.7%(2,198)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(1,931)
Asian1.9%(336)
Other0%
Diversity Score53.2%(9,210)
2024
White, non-Hispanic58.4%(10,301)
Black14.3%(2,522)
Hispanic / Latino22.6%(3,982)
Asian1.3%(238)
Other3.4%(603)
Diversity Score73.3%(12,937)
Diversity Score
73
+38%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.2%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.4%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+39%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.6%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−6.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2011
from 54.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
32.9%
−23.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.8%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
51.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
10.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−45.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.3%
−2.7 ptssince 2012
from 21.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
18.4%
−62.8 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.4%
+24.2 ptssince 2017
from 66.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
81.0%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 82.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 15.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Morganton to nearby cities

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Income$49,910−3%
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MORGANTON VS
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MORGANTON VS
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MORGANTON VS
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Home value$186,300−16%
Population13,822−23%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Morganton, North Carolina?

Morganton, North Carolina has about 17,646 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Morganton, North Carolina?

The typical household in Morganton, North Carolina earns about $51,355 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Morganton, North Carolina expensive?

In Morganton, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $221,700, and the typical rent is about $944 a month.

How educated are people in Morganton, North Carolina?

About 26.1% of adults age 25 and over in Morganton, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Morganton, North Carolina?

About 25.7% of people in Morganton, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Morganton, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Morganton, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,561 residents, a change of about 17 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Morganton, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy