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CITY · 2010 ACS

Morganton

North Carolina · 16,918 residents · 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 $29,509. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $126,000. The poverty rate of 26.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 39.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,918
−2%since 2000
from 17,310 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
880 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 900 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
39.7
+2%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K16K17K18K1990201020202024Morganton
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$29,509
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,678 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,691
−6%since 2000
from $20,906 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
17.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
26.9%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.487
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.3%
US avg: 10.9%
Information8.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance2.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$126,000
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$591
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $475 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
33.5%
−23.5 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
45.5% rent
Vacancy rate
12.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 24.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.8%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.3
+66%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic66.4%(11,240)
Black11.9%(2,020)
Hispanic / Latino16.4%(2,777)
Asian2.3%(391)
Other2.1%(360)
Diversity Score63.6%(10,762)
Diversity Score
64
+20%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
73.4%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+39%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
75.4%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 72.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
21.6%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
30.6%
−25.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
50.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
11.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.5%
−40.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Morganton to nearby cities

MORGANTON VS
Lenoir
Income$49,910+69%
Home value$179,400+42%
Population18,372+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+119%
Home value$278,400+121%
Population45,975+158%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+105%
Home value$213,300+69%
Population9,457−47%
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MORGANTON VS
Newton
Income$62,015+110%
Home value$186,300+48%
Population13,822−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morganton, North Carolina?

Morganton, North Carolina has about 16,918 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Morganton, North Carolina earns about $29,509 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 $126,000, and the typical rent is about $591 a month.

How educated are people in Morganton, North Carolina?

About 21.3% 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 26.9% 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 1,833 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

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