CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Morganton

North Carolina · 17,474 residents · 19.226 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Hickory metro area
Compare
The short version

Morganton has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,406. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $153,400. The poverty rate of 26.1% 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: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,474
+1%since 2000
from 17,310 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
909 / sq mi
+1%since 2000
from 900 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.5
+1%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
15K16K16K17K18K1990201020202024Morganton
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,406
−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,678 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,584
+3%since 2000
from $20,906 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
20.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.1%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.1%
US avg: 10%
Information8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$153,400
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$684
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $475 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.8%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 57.0% in 2000
48.2% rent
Afford Score
3.8
+48%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic60%(10,489)
Black9.5%(1,665)
Hispanic / Latino23.5%(4,108)
Asian2.2%(383)
Other5.2%(903)
Diversity Score72%(12,577)
Diversity Score
72
+35%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
75.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.8 min
+63%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 72.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 54.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.6%
−29.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Foreign born
11.4%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
16.9%
−64.3 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+24%
Home value$179,400+17%
Population18,372+3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
Hickory
Income$64,576+60%
Home value$278,400+81%
Population45,975+158%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
St. Stephens
Income$60,394+49%
Home value$213,300+39%
Population9,457−47%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MORGANTON VS
Newton
Income$62,015+53%
Home value$186,300+21%
Population13,822−23%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Morganton, North Carolina?

Morganton, North Carolina has about 17,474 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Morganton, North Carolina earns about $40,406 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 $153,400, and the typical rent is about $684 a month.

How educated are people in Morganton, North Carolina?

About 20.6% 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 26.1% 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 2,389 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Morganton with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →