Burke County, NC

County

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2021 Population

87,829

2.57% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

44.4

0.226% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

18.1%

2.19% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$48,142

9.63% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$128,300

6.38% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

38,988

0.98% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Burke County, NC had a population of 87.8k people with a median age of 44.4 and a median household income of $48,142. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Burke County, NC declined from 90,148 to 87,829, a −2.57% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,915 to $48,142, a 9.63% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Burke County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (80.9%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.22%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.63%), Other (Hispanic) (2.61%), and White (Hispanic) (2.38%).

None of the households in Burke County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.4% of the residents in Burke County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Burke County, NC are Western Piedmont Community College (419 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Burke County, NC was $128,300, and the homeownership rate was 75.3%.

Most people in Burke County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23 minutes. The average car ownership in Burke County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Burke County, NC borders Avery County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Catawba County, NC, Cleveland County, NC, Lincoln County, NC, McDowell County, NC, and Rutherford County, NC.

United States North Carolina Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Population & Diversity

Burke County, NC is home to a population of 87.8k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.92% of Burke County, NC residents were born outside of the country (4.32k people).

In 2021, there were 13 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (71.1k people) in Burke County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.46k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.19k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.4%

2021 Citizenship

97.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.4% of Burke County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Burke County, NC was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Burke County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Burke County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
71.1k ± 110
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.46k ± 513
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
3.19k ± 130

6.5%

Hispanic Population

5.71k people

6.5% of the people in Burke County, NC are hispanic (5.71k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Burke County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

4.92%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

4.32k people

5.07%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

4.57k people

As of 2021, 4.92% of Burke County, NC residents (4.32k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Burke County, NC was 5.07%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Burke County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,047 ± 299
Gulf War (1990s)
641 ± 194
Gulf War (2001-)
480 ± 158

Burke County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.19 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Burke County, NC employs 39k people. The largest industries in Burke County, NC are Manufacturing (9,291 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,216 people), and Retail Trade (4,246 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($54,806), Transportation & Warehousing ($51,585), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,387).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

39k

2021 Value

± 1,657

−0.98%

1 Year decline

± 6.01%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Burke County, NC declined at a rate of −0.98%, from 39.4k employees to 39k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Burke County, NC, are Production Occupations (5,338 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,637 people), and Management Occupations (3,547 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Burke County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

39k

2021 Value

± 1,657

−0.98%

1 Year decline

± 6.01%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Burke County, NC declined at a rate of −0.98%, from 39.4k employees to 39k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Burke County, NC, are Manufacturing (9,291 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,216 people), and Retail Trade (4,246 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Burke County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Burke County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,284

Median earning men ± $1,512

$27,730

Median earning women ± $2,131

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,313), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($53,750), and Public Administration ($42,191).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,947), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,221), and Public Administration ($38,381).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

527
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
492
Manufacturing
311
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.11M
Manufacturing
$407k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$87.3k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Burke County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 69.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.605%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (69.5%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (29.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.605%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Burke County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Burke County, NC awarded 419 degrees. The student population of Burke County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 582 male students and 1,088 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Burke County, NC are White (316 and 76.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (41 and 9.98%), Asian (33 and 8.03%), and Black or African American (16 and 3.89%).

The largest universities in Burke County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Western Piedmont Community College (419 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Burke County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (134 and 32%), Registered Nursing (29 and 6.92%), and Criminal Justice - Police Science (21 and 5.01%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,670 students enrolled in Burke County, NC, 34.9% men and 65.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,305 records, of which 65.6% were women and 34.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
134 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
29 degrees awarded
Electromechanical Technology
12 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Burke County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 134 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Burke County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Western Piedmont Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

419 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Piedmont Community College with 419 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 154 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Burke County, NC, which is 0.581 times less than the 265 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 316 degrees mean that there were 7.71 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 41 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,432) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($199) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Burke County, NC was $128,300 in 2021, which is 0.524 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $120,600 to $128,300, a 6.38% increase. The homeownership rate in Burke County, NC is 75.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Burke County, NC have an average commute time of 23 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Burke County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Burke County, NC is $48,142. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Burke County, NC was Census Tract 208.01 with a value of $55,259, followed by Census Tract 205 and Census Tract 213.02, with respective values of $54,423 and $53,869.

In 2022, 12.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Burke County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.0199%.

Housing

Property

$128,300

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,422

$25,893

Median Property Taxes

±$1,152

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Burke County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Burke County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

75.3%

Homeownership

2021

67.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 75.3% of the housing units in Burke County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Burke County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 208.01
Census Tract 205
Census Tract 213.02

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Burke County, NC was Census Tract 208.01 with a value of $55,259, followed by Census Tract 205 and Census Tract 213.02, with respective values of $54,423 and $53,869.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Burke County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$48,142

Median Household Income

± $3,192

34.4k

Number of Households

± 1,428

In 2021, the median household income of the 34.4k households in Burke County, NC grew to $48,142 from the previous year's value of $43,915.

The following chart displays the households in Burke County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Burke County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (84.9%)
Carpooled (8.86%)
Worked At Home (4.3%)

In 2021, 84.9% of workers in Burke County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.86%) and those who worked at home (4.3%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Burke County, NC have a shorter commute time (23 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.8% of the workforce in Burke County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Burke County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Burke County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Burke County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 12.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Burke County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.0199%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

18.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Burke County, NC (15.5k out of 85.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Burke County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 30.1% of the children was living in poverty in Burke County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 2.9%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 179 in Burke County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 21.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

88.2% of the population of Burke County, NC has health coverage, with 39.6% on employee plans, 18.4% on Medicaid, 15.9% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 1.32% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Burke County, NC see 1676 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.57% decrease from the previous year (1738 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2153 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 341 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,676 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Burke County, NC

Primary care physicians in Burke County, NC see an average of 1,676 patients per year. This represents a 3.57% decrease from the previous year (1,738 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Burke County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.1% under 18 years, 18.6% between 18 and 34 years, 41.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.8%

Uninsured

39.6%

Employer Coverage

18.4%

Medicaid

15.9%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

1.32%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Burke County, NC declined by 0.731% from 11.9% to 11.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Burke County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 68.4 in Burke County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Burke County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36% in Burke County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Burke County, NC.

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