CensusEasy
CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Morganton

North Carolina · 17,310 residents · 19.226 sq mi
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The short version

Morganton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $34,678. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $89,000.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 39.1
US median: 35.2
Average education
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,310
+15%since 1990
from 15,085 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
900 / sq mi
+15%since 1990
from 785 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
39.1
+1%since 1990
from 38.7 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K16K17K18K1990201020202024Morganton
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,678
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $25,007 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,906
+63%since 1990
from $12,845 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
13.6%
+2.9 ptssince 1990
from 10.6% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,000
+20%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $56,100 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$475
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $342 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
57.0%
−3.0 ptssince 1990
from 60.0% in 1990
43.0% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+14%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Morganton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic83%(12,527)
Black15.4%(2,319)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(90)
Asian1.1%(161)
Diversity Score36.9%(5,563)
2000
White, non-Hispanic72.6%(12,570)
Black12.7%(2,198)
Hispanic / Latino11.2%(1,931)
Asian1.9%(336)
Diversity Score53.2%(9,210)
Diversity Score
53
+44%since 1990
from 37 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+2.0 ptssince 1990
from 18.8% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
69.8%
+4.9 ptssince 1990
from 65.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.3%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 6.7% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.8 min
−8%since 1990
from 13.8 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Morganton

Belle Glade
Pop 17,241
New Port Richey
Pop 18,299
Gladeview
Pop 16,655
Naranja
Pop 15,796
Places similar to Morganton
Head to head

Compare Morganton to nearby cities

MORGANTON VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+44%
Home value$179,400+102%
Population18,372+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+86%
Home value$278,400+213%
Population45,975+158%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+74%
Home value$213,300+140%
Population9,457−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
Newton
Income$62,015+79%
Home value$186,300+109%
Population13,822−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morganton, North Carolina?

Morganton, North Carolina has about 17,310 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Morganton, North Carolina earns about $34,678 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 $89,000, and the typical rent is about $475 a month.

How educated are people in Morganton, North Carolina?

About 20.8% 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 13.6% 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 2,225 residents, a change of about 15 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 →