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%