Population
Covering approximately 514 square miles, Burke County is home to more than 89,000 people. Just over 67% of the population is of working age with 31% of the work force employed in production related positions. Morganton, the county seat, covers over 18.5 square miles. Morganton’s population exceeds 17,000.
Burke, Caldwell, Catawba and Alexander counties comprise the Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and are also known as the “Unifour Region.” The MSA, or Unifour,has a population of over 360,000. The 2009 civilian labor force estimate for the four counties exceeded 169,000. North Carolina is a right to work state. Burke County has one organized manufacturing firm out of over 125 manufacturing companies.
Burke County Municipal Populations 2008
| Connelly Springs |
1894 |
| Drexel |
1923 |
| Glen Alpine |
1256 |
| Hildebran |
1768 |
| Morganton |
17120 |
|
| Rutherford College |
1305 |
| Valdese |
4586 |
| Hickory* |
81 |
| Long View * |
735 |
| Rhodhiss* |
496 |
|
* Partially within Burke County
Industry Employment in Burke County 1990-2009
| Year |
Civilian Labor |
Unemp. Rate |
| 1990 |
41830 |
5% |
| 1995 |
42550 |
5% |
| 2000 |
46089 |
3.6% |
| 2009 |
38920 |
14.2% |
