Morganton
RANK #494 / 996 NAT · #27 / 51 NC · POP 87,799
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Known as "Nature's Playground," Burke County, North Carolina, offers extensive outdoor recreation, with Linville Gorge, often called the "Grand Canyon of the East," and South Mountains State Park providing hiking, biking, and waterfalls. The county is located in west-central North Carolina's mountain region, with its county seat, Morganton, about an hour's drive from Asheville. The community has a welcoming, small-town feel, and residents often own their homes. Lake James State Park is another notable feature, offering opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and relaxing on its sandy beach. Life in Burke County is characterized by its natural surroundings and a focus on community. Many residents are retirees, though the area also attracts families. Public schools in the county are highly rated, with several high schools, including Jimmy C. Draughn High School and East Burke High School, ranking among the top. The local economy is diverse, with ongoing investments in advanced manufacturing and data centers. The county is also home to state institutions like the North Carolina School for the Deaf and Broughton Hospital.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Digihost Data Center
Digihost International LLC
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Green Textile Manufacturing Hub
The Industrial Commons
|
$60M | Under Construction |
|
Nebo Energy Storage
Undisclosed (part of PJM interconnection queue)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Burke County scores 50/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#494). Median household income is $53,732 and job growth is running at +0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Burke County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $155,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $768/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Burke County are both close to flat — population -0.0% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +0.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.23% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Burke County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.