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Burke County, North Carolina (NC)

County population in 2023: 88,338 (57% urban, 43% rural); it was 89,148 in 2000
County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 15,397
County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 10,475
County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 25,597
Renter-occupied apartments: 9,932 (it was 8,931 in 2000)
% of renters here:

26%
State:

33%

Land area: 507 sq. mi.

Water area: 8.2 sq. mi.

Population density: 174 people per square mile   (high).

December 2024 cost of living index in Burke County: 86.5 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (24.3%), Manufacturing (23.4%), Retail trade (11.2%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 78%
  • Government: 17%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 5%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%
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Based on 2000-2022 data
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  • Races in Burke County, NC (2023)
    • 69,39378.6%White Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 7,5678.6%Hispanic or Latino
    • 4,3284.9%Black Non-Hispanic Alone
    • 3,7094.2%Two or more races
    • 3,1783.6%Asian alone
    • 980.1%American Indian and Alaska Native alone
    • 650.07%Some other race alone
Median resident age:

45.2 years
North Carolina median age:

39.4 years
Males: 44,025  (49.8%)
Females: 44,313  (50.2%)
Burke County, NC forum
Recent posts about Burke County, North Carolina on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Burke County is mentioned 208 times on our forum:
"Middle American" Town in WNC  (34 replies)
Redistricting 2022  (64 replies)
I am out of this housing market!!!  (190 replies)
NC's 25 Largest Cities  (623 replies)
Political Climate Morganton, Hickory,Lenior  (48 replies)
North Carolina development thread.  (5147 replies)
Average household size:
Burke County:

2.0 people
North Carolina:

2 people

Estimated median household income in 2023: $53,739 ($35,629 in 1999)
This county:

$53,739
North Carolina:

$70,804

Median contract rent in 2023 for apartments: $635 (lower quartile is $532, upper quartile is $835)
This county:

$635
State:

$1062


Estimated median house or condo value in 2023: $212,500 (it was $77,600 in 2000)
Burke:

$212,500
North Carolina:

$308,600
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $115,500 - $310,700

Mean price in 2023:

Detached houses: $268,322
Here:

$268,322
State:

$407,721

Townhouses or other attached units: $320,838
Here:

$320,838
State:

$350,936

In 2-unit structures: $240,048
Here:

$240,048
State:

$364,016

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $199,171
Here:

$199,171
State:

$279,298

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $206,016
Here:

$206,016
State:

$423,364

Mobile homes: $100,814
Here:

$100,814
State:

$116,541

Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $424,387
Here:

$424,387
State:

$147,860

Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,149
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $375

Institutionalized population: 2,645

Crime in 2023 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 2
  • Rapes: 23
  • Robberies: 12
  • Assaults: 132
  • Burglaries: 247
  • Thefts: 490
  • Auto thefts: 72

Crime in 2022 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 5
  • Rapes: 33
  • Robberies: 6
  • Assaults: 98
  • Burglaries: 216
  • Thefts: 453
  • Auto thefts: 82
Burke County, NC map from a distance

Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2023: 316 buildings, average cost: $266,800
  • 2022: 303 buildings, average cost: $212,300
  • 2021: 235 buildings, average cost: $214,000
  • 2020: 221 buildings, average cost: $207,900
  • 2019: 207 buildings, average cost: $210,200
  • 2018: 161 buildings, average cost: $212,700
  • 2017: 149 buildings, average cost: $208,300
  • 2016: 134 buildings, average cost: $215,100
  • 2015: 123 buildings, average cost: $213,400
  • 2014: 94 buildings, average cost: $220,800
  • 2013: 104 buildings, average cost: $139,100
  • 2012: 71 buildings, average cost: $245,200
  • 2011: 84 buildings, average cost: $216,900
  • 2010: 113 buildings, average cost: $216,900
  • 2009: 140 buildings, average cost: $193,600
  • 2008: 170 buildings, average cost: $216,500
  • 2007: 304 buildings, average cost: $179,000
  • 2006: 303 buildings, average cost: $169,500
  • 2005: 258 buildings, average cost: $143,900
  • 2004: 237 buildings, average cost: $139,300
  • 2003: 258 buildings, average cost: $133,700
  • 2002: 285 buildings, average cost: $128,100
  • 2001: 296 buildings, average cost: $123,200
  • 2000: 296 buildings, average cost: $115,200
  • 1999: 266 buildings, average cost: $109,200
  • 1998: 267 buildings, average cost: $99,900
  • 1997: 248 buildings, average cost: $96,400
Number of permits per 10,000 Burke, NC residents
Average permit cost in Burke, NC
Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2023: $1,360 (0.6%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2023: $1,057 (0.7%)

Distribution of median household income in Burke, NC in 2023
Distribution of house value in Burke, NC in 2023
Distribution of rent paid by renters in Burke, NC in 2023
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2023: 17.7%
Burke County:

17.7%
North Carolina:

12.8%
(17.1% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 27.6% for Black residents, 29.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 45.1% for American Indian residents, 90.9% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 41.0% for other race residents, 23.8% for two or more races residents)

Median age of residents in 2023: 45.2 years old
(Males: 42.7 years old, Females: 48.1 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 49.2 years old, Black residents: 43.2 years old, American Indian residents: 56.9 years old, Asian residents: 36.8 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 23.9 years old, Other race residents: 16.6 years old)

Area name: Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Burke County is $462 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $531 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $681 a month.

Cities in this county include: Morganton, Valdese, Salem, Icard, Drexel, Connelly Springs, Hildebran, Rutherford College, Glen Alpine.

Burke County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Click to draw/clear Burke County borders

Neighboring counties: Avery County , Santa Fe County, New Mexico , Loudon County, Tennessee , Macon County, Tennessee , Marshall County, Tennessee , Unicoi County, Tennessee .

Unemployment in November 2024:
Here:

4.0%
North Carolina:

3.7%

Unemployment by year in Burke, NC
County total employment by year in Burke, NC
County average yearly wages by year in Burke, NC

Current college students: 3,109
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 85.9%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19.9%

Number of foreign born residents: 3,064 (68.1% naturalized citizens)

Burke County:

3.5%
Whole state:

9.2%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 7892010 or later
  • 1,6722000 to 2009
  • 1,1251990 to 1999
  • 1,3601980 to 1989
  • 2571970 to 1979
  • 209Before 1970

Mean travel time to work (commute):  minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 99.6%

Burke County marital status for males Burke County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 29,333
  • One, attached: 243
  • Two: 469
  • 3 or 4: 1,101
  • 5 to 9: 1,016
  • 10 to 19: 848
  • 20 to 49: 67
  • 50 or more: 81
  • Mobile homes: 7,699

Housing units in Burke County with a mortgage: 14,796 (1,279 second mortgage, 22 home equity loan, 1,124 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 781

Here:

1.8% with mortgage
State:

97.1% with mortgage

Religion statistics for Burke County

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Evangelical Protestant41,460141
Mainline Protestant9,78243
Black Protestant2,00612
Other1,1535
Catholic1,0231
None35,717-
Burke County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 20
Burke County:

2.25 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.05 / 10,000 pop.


Number of convenience stores (no gas): 10
This county:

1.13 / 10,000 pop.
North Carolina:

0.92 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 49
Burke County:

5.52 / 10,000 pop.
North Carolina:

4.75 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 46
This county:

5.18 / 10,000 pop.
State:

7.57 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Burke County:

10.2%
North Carolina:

9.8%

Adult obesity rate:
Burke County:

27.5%
State:

28.3%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:

16.7%
State:

15.6%

Agriculture in Burke County:

Average size of farms: 73 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $70,404
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $1533.57
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 48.64%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 44.52%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $56,996
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 34.90%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $44,166
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 93.85%
Average age of principal farm operators: 56 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 12.46
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.53%
Corn for grain: 1009 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 251 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 987 harvested acres
Vegetables: 40 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 53 acres

Earthquake activity:

Burke County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above North Carolina state average. It is 4% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 59.0 miles away from Burke County center
On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi) earthquake occurred 253.8 miles away from the county center
On 8/2/1974 at 08:52:09, a magnitude 4.9 (4.3 MB, 4.9 LG, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 138.2 miles away from the county center
On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK) earthquake occurred 212.7 miles away from the county center
On 11/30/1973 at 07:48:41, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MB, 4.6 ML) earthquake occurred 130.6 miles away from Burke County center
On 11/23/2006 at 10:42:57, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB) earthquake occurred 99.6 miles away from the county center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Most recent natural disasters:

  • North Carolina Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: January 20, 2020, FEMA Id: 4487, Natural disaster type: Other
  • North Carolina Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, Incident Period: July 03, 2013 to July 14, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4146: September 25, 2013, FEMA Id: 4146, Natural disaster type: Storm, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood
  • North Carolina Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: December 18, 2009 to December 25, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1871: February 02, 2010, FEMA Id: 1871, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Flood
  • North Carolina Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3222: September 05, 2005, FEMA Id: 3222, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • North Carolina Hurricane Ivan, Incident Period: September 16, 2004 to September 23, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1553: September 18, 2004, FEMA Id: 1553, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • North Carolina Tropical Storm Frances, Incident Period: September 07, 2004 to September 12, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1546: September 10, 2004, FEMA Id: 1546, Natural disaster type: Tropical Storm
  • North Carolina Severe Ice Storm, Incident Period: December 04, 2002 to December 06, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1448: December 12, 2002, FEMA Id: 1448, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm
  • North Carolina Storms/Flooding, Incident Period: February 02, 1996 to February 09, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1103: February 23, 1996, FEMA Id: 1103, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • North Carolina Blizzard, Incident Period: January 06, 1996 to January 12, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1087: January 13, 1996, FEMA Id: 1087, Natural disaster type: Blizzard
  • North Carolina Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, Incident Period: March 13, 1993 to March 17, 1993, Emergency Declared EM-3110: March 17, 1993, FEMA Id: 3110, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm, Snowfall
  • 12 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Burke County (22) is near the US average (19).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Hurricanes: 7, Floods: 4, Storms: 3, Tropical Storms: 3, Winter Storms: 2, Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Landslide: 1, Mudslide: 1, Snowfall: 1, Tornado: 1, Other: 3 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Means of transportation to work in 2023 - Burke

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 28,105 (80.5%)
  • Carpooled: 3,379 (9.7%)
  • Bus: 33 (0.1%)
  • Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 200 (0.6%)
  • Bicycle: 92 (0.3%)
  • Walked: 215 (0.6%)
  • Worked at home: 2,463 (7.1%)
Class of Workers in 2023
Most common industries in 2023 (%)
Males Females
Most common industries for males in 2023


  • Health care and social assistance (21%)
  • Manufacturing (16%)
  • Educational services (10%)
  • Accommodation and food services (7%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (6%)
  • Retail trade (5%)
  • Public administration (4%)

Most common industries for females in 2023


  • Health care and social assistance (26%)
  • Manufacturing (20%)
  • Educational services (12%)
  • Accommodation and food services (9%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (8%)
  • Retail trade (7%)
  • Public administration (6%)

Most common occupations in 2023 (%)
Males Females
Most common occupations for males in 2023


  • Production occupations (18%)
  • Material moving occupations (9%)
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (9%)
  • Transportation occupations (9%)
  • Construction and extraction occupations (8%)
  • Sales and related occupations (8%)
  • Management occupations (8%)

Most common occupations for females in 2023


  • Office and administrative support occupations (15%)
  • Production occupations (15%)
  • Food preparation and serving related occupations (9%)
  • Healthcare support occupations (9%)
  • Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (8%)
  • Educational instruction, and library occupations (8%)
  • Management occupations (6%)

Most common places of birth for foreign-born residents


  • Guatemala (34%)
  • Laos (13%)
  • Mexico (12%)
  • Thailand (7%)
  • Philippines (4%)
  • Asia, n.e.c. (4%)
  • Honduras (3%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Burke County


  • American (30%)
  • English (11%)
  • German (7%)
  • Irish (6%)
  • European (3%)
  • Scottish (3%)
  • Scotch-Irish (1%)

Owners and renters by unit type
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders

People in group quarters in Burke County, North Carolina in 2010:

  • 1,535 people in state prisons
  • 622 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
  • 323 people in residential treatment centers for adults
  • 200 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
  • 176 people in other noninstitutional facilities
  • 131 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units in other hospitals
  • 117 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
  • 88 people in residential schools for people with disabilities
  • 70 people in group homes intended for adults
  • 51 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 21 people in emergency and transitional shelters (with sleeping facilities) for people experiencing homelessness
  • 13 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
  • 5 people in in-patient hospice facilities

People in group quarters in Burke County, North Carolina in 2000:

  • 1,348 people in state prisons
  • 689 people in nursing homes
  • 478 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 445 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 359 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the intellectually disabled
  • 88 people in other types of correctional institutions
  • 61 people in hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 49 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 29 people in other group homes
  • 23 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 9 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 9 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill
  • 8 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 7 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
  • 6 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
  • 6 people in other workers' dormitories
  • 4 people in other nonhousehold living situations
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2020 was $55,563.

6.84% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2020 ($56,689 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.84%
North Carolina average:

8.85%


10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
4.76% relocated from other counties in North Carolina ($35,543 average AGI)
2.08% relocated from other states ($21,145 average AGI)
Burke County:

2.08%
North Carolina average:

4.18%

Residents relocating <b>from</b> other counties or countries

Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2020 and 2021:
from Catawba County, NC  1.34% ($45,780 average AGI)
from Caldwell County, NC  0.87% ($40,916)
from McDowell County, NC  0.52% ($49,754)
from Buncombe County, NC  0.24% ($54,709)
from Mecklenburg County, NC  0.23% ($66,351)
from Iredell County, NC  0.12% ($54,385)
from Gaston County, NC  0.12% ($52,513)


6.02% of this county's 2020 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2021 ($42,079 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.02%
North Carolina average:

7.89%


10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.50% relocated to other counties in North Carolina ($31,614 average AGI)
1.52% relocated to other states ($10,465 average AGI)
Burke County:

1.52%
North Carolina average:

3.18%

Residents relocating <b>to</b> other counties or countries

Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2020 and 2021:
to Catawba County, NC  1.45% ($44,919 average AGI)
to Caldwell County, NC  0.92% ($37,513)
to McDowell County, NC  0.37% ($42,554)
to Buncombe County, NC  0.16% ($46,462)
to Mecklenburg County, NC  0.15% ($52,840)
to Lincoln County, NC  0.11% ($41,135)
to Alexander County, NC  0.10% ($26,219)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.0
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.6

Births per 1000 population in Burke County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 9.0
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 9.6
Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 11.6

Deaths per 1000 population in Burke County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 10.4
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 8.0

Infant deaths per 1000 population in Burke County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2018: 13.6%
Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2018: 5.1%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Burke County
All 18-64 40-64 50-64 Under 19
Population without health insurance coverage in Burke County
18-64 population without health insurance coverage in Burke County
40-64 population without health insurance coverage in Burke County
50-64 population without health insurance coverage in Burke County
Population under 19 years without health insurance coverage in Burke County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 16,082 (12,332 aged, 3,750 disabled)
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 1,954 (9%)
Persons enrolled in Medicare
Aged persons enrolled in Medicare
Disabled persons enrolled in Medicare

Most common underlying causes of death in Burke County, North Carolina in 1999 - 2019:

  • Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (1,395)
  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (1,367)
  • Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (1,114)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (1,018)
  • Alzheimer disease, unspecified (699)
  • Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (618)
  • Unspecified dementia (593)
  • Pneumonia, unspecified (408)
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (376)
  • Congestive heart failure (277)

Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 12%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 2.24
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 11,912
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 523
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 58,381

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,136
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,103
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 1

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 18
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 64

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 7
Beer, wine & liquor stores per 100,000 population in 2005: 1

Crimes per 100,000 population in 1996: 1

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 56.2. This is less than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 37.0
  • Other - 19.3

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 183.2. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 125.3
  • Other - 57.9

Household type by relationship:

Households: 88,338
  • Male householders: 18,138 (3,801 living alone), Female householders: 19,347 (6,039 living alone)
  • 19,060 spouses (18,492 opposite-sex spouses), 1,883 unmarried partners, (1,726 opposite-sex unmarried partners), 18,879 children (17,655 natural, 890 adopted, 334 stepchildren), 4,283 grandchildren, 868 brothers or sisters, 1,631 parents, 0 foster children, 831 other relatives, 759 non-relatives
  • In group quarters: 2,659

Size of family households: 13,973 2-persons, 5,884 3-persons, 3,721 4-persons, 1,282 5-persons, 705 6-persons, 466 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 9,840 1-person, 1,475 2-persons, 139 3-persons.

8,202 married couples with children.
3,693 single-parent households (199 men, 3,494 women).

89.4% of residents of Burke speak English at home.
6.1% of residents speak Spanish at home (61% speak English very well, 24% speak English well, 10% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).
0.4% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (66% speak English very well, 30% speak English well, 4% speak English not well).
2.6% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (66% speak English very well, 24% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
1.3% of residents speak other language at home (45% speak English very well, 30% speak English well, 20% speak English not well, 5% don't speak English at all).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $437,390,000 ($4,889 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $55,808,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $201,859,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $86,850,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $1,156,000
Federal grants: $84,713,000
Federal procurement contracts: $54,525,000 ($48,312,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $8,288,000 ($143,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $2,445,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $15,126,000
Federal Government insurance: $27,605,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 5,358
Here:

60 per 1000 residents
State:

72 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 4,424
Here:

49 per 1000 residents
State:

44 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +1,158
Here:

+13 per 1000 residents
State:

+18 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -1,748
Here:  -20 per 1000 residents
State:  +27 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Burke County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 18.89 millions of gallons per day (1% from ground, 99% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

6.0
State:

6.4

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

4.4
State:

4.4

Year house built in Burke County, North Carolina
  • Year house built in Burke County, North Carolina
  • 8982020 or later
  • 2,0062010 to 2019
  • 4,0462000 to 2009
  • 6,7321990 to 1999
  • 6,2751980 to 1989
  • 5,1241970 to 1979
  • 6,1741960 to 1969
  • 4,3741950 to 1959
  • 2,4341940 to 1949
  • 2,7941939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Burke County, North Carolina
  • Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Burke County, North Carolina
  • 861 room
  • 832 rooms
  • 4203 rooms
  • 2,0694 rooms
  • 7,7795 rooms
  • 6,1116 rooms
  • 4,8497 rooms
  • 2,2868 rooms
  • 3,7599+ rooms
Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
  • Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
  • 01 room
  • 3822 rooms
  • 9183 rooms
  • 4,2284 rooms
  • 2,1575 rooms
  • 1,4886 rooms
  • 4567 rooms
  • 3618 rooms
  • 539+ rooms
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Burke County, North Carolina
  • Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses in Burke County, North Carolina
  • 86no bedroom
  • 7101 bedroom
  • 5,5942 bedrooms
  • 17,7263 bedrooms
  • 2,5124 bedrooms
  • 8145+ bedrooms
Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
  • Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Burke County, North Carolina
  • 122no bedroom
  • 7481 bedroom
  • 5,7782 bedrooms
  • 3,0123 bedrooms
  • 2764 bedrooms
  • 1075+ bedrooms
Cars and other vehicles available in Burke County, North Carolina in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
Cars and other vehicles available in Burke County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Burke County in owner-occupied houses/condos
  • 502no vehicle
  • 5,6211 vehicle
  • 8,7262 vehicles
  • 7,4313 vehicles
  • 3,2574 vehicles
  • 1,9055+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Burke County in renter-occupied apartments
  • Cars and other vehicles available in Burke County in renter-occupied apartments
  • 992no vehicle
  • 4,5071 vehicle
  • 3,2902 vehicles
  • 1,0303 vehicles
  • 2244 vehicles
  • 05+ vehicles

91.0% of Burke County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 33% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 59% lived in North Carolina.

Burke County:

91.0%
State average:

87.1%

Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 65,878
  • Other state: 17,903
  • Northeast: 4,222
  • Midwest: 3,551
  • South: 8,305
  • West: 1,825
Year householders moved into unit in Burke County, NC
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Burke County
Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos
  • 73.1%Electricity
  • 11.0%Utility gas
  • 6.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 6.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 2.2%Wood
  • 0.4%No fuel used
  • 0.1%Solar energy
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments
  • 79.7%Electricity
  • 7.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 5.6%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 5.1%Utility gas
  • 1.2%Other fuel
  • 1.1%Wood

Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 1,413
Here:

20.9%
North Carolina:

15.2%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 275
Here:

6.4%
North Carolina:

12.1%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 333
Here:

12.5%
North Carolina:

17.5%

Educational Attainment
School Enrollment by Level of School
Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Noninstitutionalized Residents
Age and Sex of Noninstitutionalized Residents with Employment Disability

Burke County government finances - Expenditure in 2022:

  • Assistance and Subsidies - State Scholarships and Other Subsidies - Education: $1,284,000
  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $5,452,000
    Hospital Public: $4,727,000
    Other: $2,249,000
    Higher Education - Other: $1,178,000
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $543,000
    Sewerage: $542,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $362,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Lunch: $330,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Tuition and Transportation: $230,000
    Parks and Recreation: $67,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $55,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $20,000
  • Construction - Elementary and Secondary Education: $3,746,000
    Other Higher Education: $1,561,000
    Police Protection: $701,000
    Housing and Community Development: $681,000
    Parks and Recreation: $156,000
    Central Staff Services: $124,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $51,000
    General Public Buildings: $30,000
    Financial Administration: $25,000
    Libraries: $25,000
    Sewerage: $20,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary and Secondary Education: $137,965,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $20,738,000
    Police Protection: $19,370,000
    Other Higher Education: $16,521,000
    Solid Waste Management: $5,401,000
    Local Fire Protection: $4,687,000
    Correctional Institutions: $4,468,000
    Health - Other: $4,291,000
    General - Other: $3,583,000
    Housing and Community Development: $3,321,000
    Financial Administration: $2,615,000
    Central Staff Services: $2,564,000
    General Public Buildings: $1,764,000
    Libraries: $1,719,000
    Water Utilities: $1,340,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $691,000
    Parks and Recreation: $652,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $585,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $333,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $201,000
    Transit Utilities: $71,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $7,467,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $2,721,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $2,800,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $2,628,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $51,900,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $45,837,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,064,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,998,000
    Sale of Property: $1,464,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $625,000
    Rents: $267,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $206,000
    Interest Earnings: $159,000
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,383,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $152,752,000
  • Tax - Property: $57,209,000
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $21,075,000
    Other Selective Sales: $1,442,000
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $623,000
    Other License: $236,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $57,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $79,741,000

Burke County government finances - Revenue in 2022:

  • Assistance and Subsidies - State Scholarships and Other Subsidies - Education: $1,284,000
  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $5,452,000
    Hospital Public: $4,727,000
    Other: $2,249,000
    Higher Education - Other: $1,178,000
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $543,000
    Sewerage: $542,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $362,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Lunch: $330,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Tuition and Transportation: $230,000
    Parks and Recreation: $67,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $55,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $20,000
  • Construction - Elementary and Secondary Education: $3,746,000
    Other Higher Education: $1,561,000
    Police Protection: $701,000
    Housing and Community Development: $681,000
    Parks and Recreation: $156,000
    Central Staff Services: $124,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $51,000
    General Public Buildings: $30,000
    Financial Administration: $25,000
    Libraries: $25,000
    Sewerage: $20,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary and Secondary Education: $137,965,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $20,738,000
    Police Protection: $19,370,000
    Other Higher Education: $16,521,000
    Solid Waste Management: $5,401,000
    Local Fire Protection: $4,687,000
    Correctional Institutions: $4,468,000
    Health - Other: $4,291,000
    General - Other: $3,583,000
    Housing and Community Development: $3,321,000
    Financial Administration: $2,615,000
    Central Staff Services: $2,564,000
    General Public Buildings: $1,764,000
    Libraries: $1,719,000
    Water Utilities: $1,340,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $691,000
    Parks and Recreation: $652,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $585,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $333,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $201,000
    Transit Utilities: $71,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $7,467,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $2,721,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $2,800,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $2,628,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $51,900,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $45,837,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,064,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,998,000
    Sale of Property: $1,464,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $625,000
    Rents: $267,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $206,000
    Interest Earnings: $159,000
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,383,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $152,752,000
  • Tax - Property: $57,209,000
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $21,075,000
    Other Selective Sales: $1,442,000
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $623,000
    Other License: $236,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $57,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $79,741,000

Burke County government finances - Debt in 2022:

  • Assistance and Subsidies - State Scholarships and Other Subsidies - Education: $1,284,000
  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $5,452,000
    Hospital Public: $4,727,000
    Other: $2,249,000
    Higher Education - Other: $1,178,000
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $543,000
    Sewerage: $542,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $362,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Lunch: $330,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Tuition and Transportation: $230,000
    Parks and Recreation: $67,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $55,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $20,000
  • Construction - Elementary and Secondary Education: $3,746,000
    Other Higher Education: $1,561,000
    Police Protection: $701,000
    Housing and Community Development: $681,000
    Parks and Recreation: $156,000
    Central Staff Services: $124,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $51,000
    General Public Buildings: $30,000
    Financial Administration: $25,000
    Libraries: $25,000
    Sewerage: $20,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary and Secondary Education: $137,965,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $20,738,000
    Police Protection: $19,370,000
    Other Higher Education: $16,521,000
    Solid Waste Management: $5,401,000
    Local Fire Protection: $4,687,000
    Correctional Institutions: $4,468,000
    Health - Other: $4,291,000
    General - Other: $3,583,000
    Housing and Community Development: $3,321,000
    Financial Administration: $2,615,000
    Central Staff Services: $2,564,000
    General Public Buildings: $1,764,000
    Libraries: $1,719,000
    Water Utilities: $1,340,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $691,000
    Parks and Recreation: $652,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $585,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $333,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $201,000
    Transit Utilities: $71,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $7,467,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $2,721,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $2,800,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $2,628,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $51,900,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $45,837,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,064,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,998,000
    Sale of Property: $1,464,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $625,000
    Rents: $267,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $206,000
    Interest Earnings: $159,000
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,383,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $152,752,000
  • Tax - Property: $57,209,000
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $21,075,000
    Other Selective Sales: $1,442,000
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $623,000
    Other License: $236,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $57,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $79,741,000

Burke County government finances - Cash and Securities in 2022:

  • Assistance and Subsidies - State Scholarships and Other Subsidies - Education: $1,284,000
  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $5,452,000
    Hospital Public: $4,727,000
    Other: $2,249,000
    Higher Education - Other: $1,178,000
    Miscellaneous Commercial Activities: $543,000
    Sewerage: $542,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $362,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Lunch: $330,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education School Tuition and Transportation: $230,000
    Parks and Recreation: $67,000
    Elementary and Secondary Education - Other: $55,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $20,000
  • Construction - Elementary and Secondary Education: $3,746,000
    Other Higher Education: $1,561,000
    Police Protection: $701,000
    Housing and Community Development: $681,000
    Parks and Recreation: $156,000
    Central Staff Services: $124,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $51,000
    General Public Buildings: $30,000
    Financial Administration: $25,000
    Libraries: $25,000
    Sewerage: $20,000
  • Current Operations - Elementary and Secondary Education: $137,965,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $20,738,000
    Police Protection: $19,370,000
    Other Higher Education: $16,521,000
    Solid Waste Management: $5,401,000
    Local Fire Protection: $4,687,000
    Correctional Institutions: $4,468,000
    Health - Other: $4,291,000
    General - Other: $3,583,000
    Housing and Community Development: $3,321,000
    Financial Administration: $2,615,000
    Central Staff Services: $2,564,000
    General Public Buildings: $1,764,000
    Libraries: $1,719,000
    Water Utilities: $1,340,000
    Higher Education Auxiliary Enterprises: $691,000
    Parks and Recreation: $652,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $585,000
    Protective Inspection and Regulation - Other: $333,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $201,000
    Transit Utilities: $71,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Other: $7,467,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $2,721,000
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - General - Other: $2,800,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $2,628,000
  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $51,900,000
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $45,837,000
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $6,064,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue - Other: $2,998,000
    Sale of Property: $1,464,000
    Fines and Forfeits: $625,000
    Rents: $267,000
    Donations From Private Sources: $206,000
    Interest Earnings: $159,000
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $1,383,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Other: $152,752,000
  • Tax - Property: $57,209,000
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $21,075,000
    Other Selective Sales: $1,442,000
    Occupation and Business License - Other: $623,000
    Other License: $236,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $57,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $79,741,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 1,971
  • Number of aged recipients: 191
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 1,780
  • Number of recipients under 18: 271
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 1,312
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 388
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 771
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 895
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 19 full tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED205$112,956322$135,7641,238$141,26458$64,2761$200,000134$165,097103$70,097
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED7$62,57116$141,25073$125,94513$25,6151$65,00013$79,61515$48,133
APPLICATIONS DENIED44$103,79569$85,261486$130,57849$39,6731$50,00051$129,176101$64,327
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN13$94,38536$175,278245$136,96713$48,9230$018$105,16714$68,286
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS6$86,6673$308,33383$145,2657$65,7140$03$362,0008$64,375
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 18 full tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		B) Refinancings
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED20$197,85032$179,469
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED10$237,0008$165,250
APPLICATIONS DENIED3$190,6671$305,000
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN0$01$342,000
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS1$198,0001$84,000
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Burke, NC
Conventional Home Purchase Loans in Burke, NC - Value
Most common first names in Burke County, NC among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
James64470.8 years
Mary52579.1 years
John52274.5 years
William51973.7 years
Robert35971.3 years
Charles30271.3 years
Annie21180.0 years
George18273.0 years
Ruth18277.6 years
Thomas15970.0 years
Most common last names in Burke County, NC among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith43374.4 years
Williams25075.6 years
Carswell20373.6 years
Johnson18472.6 years
Powell18372.9 years
Huffman17273.3 years
Clark15771.4 years
Berry15677.1 years
Wilson15271.1 years
Mull14078.6 years
Businesses in Burke County, NC
NameCountNameCount
AT&T1La-Z-Boy1
Ace Hardware1Lane Furniture2
Advance Auto Parts1Little Caesars Pizza1
Arby's1Lowe's1
AutoZone2MasterBrand Cabinets2
Bath & Body Works1Maurices1
Blockbuster1McDonald's4
Burger King3New Balance1
CVS3Nike3
Chevrolet1Penske1
Chick-Fil-A1Pizza Hut2
Comfort Inn1Quality1
Curves1RadioShack1
Days Inn1Rite Aid2
Dennys1Rue211
Domino's Pizza3SONIC Drive-In1
Dunkin Donuts2Sears1
FedEx5Sleep Inn1
Ford2Staples1
GNC2Starbucks1
Goodwill1Subway6
H&R Block3Taco Bell2
Hardee's3U-Haul7
Hilton1UPS8
Honda1Waffle House1
Hyundai1Walgreens1
KFC3Walmart1
Kincaid2Wendy's2
Kmart1

Burke County on our top lists:

  • #24 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2006 to 2007-2013 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #69 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #95 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of people without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
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