COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Burke County

North Carolina · 89,148 residents · 506.237 sq mi

Time machine

VIEWING

COMPARE TO

The short version

Burke County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $35,629. Population has grown 18% since 1990. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $77,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 36.9

US median: 35.2

Less educated

13% 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

89,148

+18%since 1990

from 75,744 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

176 / sq mi

+18%since 1990

from 150 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

36.9

+5%since 1990

from 35.2 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

202488K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$35,629

+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $25,879 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$17,397

+50%since 1990

from $11,604 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

10.7%

+0.6 ptssince 1990

from 10.1% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$77,600

+13%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $52,200 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$450

+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $326 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

74.1%

−0.7 ptssince 1990

from 74.8% in 1990

25.9% rent

Afford Score

2.2

+8%since 1990

from 2.0 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Burke County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic92.1%(69,781)

Black6.7%(5,055)

Hispanic / Latino0.4%(283)

Asian0.8%(627)

Diversity Score19.1%(14,490)

2000

White, non-Hispanic84.9%(75,727)

Black6.7%(5,953)

Hispanic / Latino3.6%(3,180)

Asian3.5%(3,093)

Diversity Score31.4%(28,033)

Diversity Score

+64%since 1990

from 19 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

12.8%

+2.2 ptssince 1990

from 10.6% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

67.6%

+7.5 ptssince 1990

from 60.1% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

3.9%

+0.4 ptssince 1990

from 3.6% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

13.2 min

−21%since 1990

from 16.7 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 Burke County

Head to head

Compare Burke County to nearby counties

BURKE COUNTY VS

Caldwell County

Income$56,425+58%

Home value$192,200+148%

Population81,105−9%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BURKE COUNTY VS

McDowell County

Income$57,168+60%

Home value$171,100+120%

Population45,198−49%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BURKE COUNTY VS

Avery County

Income$61,428+72%

Home value$265,800+243%

Population18,110−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

BURKE COUNTY VS

Rutherford County

Income$51,410+44%

Home value$201,800+160%

Population65,745−26%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Burke County, North Carolina?

Burke County, North Carolina has about 89,148 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Burke County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Burke County, North Carolina earns about $35,629 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Burke County, North Carolina expensive?

In Burke County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $77,600, and the typical rent is about $450 a month.

How educated are people in Burke County, North Carolina?

About 12.8% of adults age 25 and over in Burke County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Burke County, North Carolina?

About 10.7% of people in Burke County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Burke County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Burke County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13,404 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

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

How we source and harmonize this data →