HomeNorth CarolinaBurke County
Burke County, North Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Burke County, North Carolina had an estimated 88,545 residents on July 1, 2024, up 1.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 87,556, across 507 square miles. County output reached $3.72 bn in 2024, 1,540 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 49 7(a) approvals worth $40.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Burke County
How many people live in Burke County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202487,795
- Households36,306
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$58,592
- Median age44.9
- Median gross rent$884 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$185,400
- Home value to household income3.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income18.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher21.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree7.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over64,993
- Population under 1816,168
- Share under 1818.4 percent
- Population 65 and over19,031
- Share 65 and over21.7 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6452,596
- Civilian labor force42,542
- Unemployment rate4.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over59.4 percent
- Rank by population among North Carolina counties33rd of 100
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included678th of 3,222
Burke County is the 33rd largest of 100 North Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 3.2 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 21.7 percent against 18.4 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Burke County
Is Burke County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202488,545
- Census 2020 base population87,556
- Population change since the 2020 census base1.13 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024398
- Births, 2024854
- Deaths, 20241,241
- Natural change, 2024-387
- Net domestic migration, 2024638
- Net international migration, 2024139
- Total net migration, 2024777
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20242,650
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1434th of 3,144
The county has grown 1.13 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Burke County
Where are people moving to Burke County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,134
- People arriving, from those returns3,961
- Tax returns filed by households leaving1,866
- Net household movement268
- Adjusted gross income arriving$122.9 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$23.6 m
- Average income of an arriving household$57,591
- Average income of a leaving household$53,242
- Largest single originCatawba County (382 households)
- Largest single destinationCatawba County (407 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba County | 382 | 722 | $16.3 m |
| Caldwell County | 242 | 473 | $10.9 m |
| McDowell County | 143 | 287 | $7.4 m |
| Buncombe County | 87 | 145 | $3.8 m |
| Mecklenburg County | 55 | 98 | $2.7 m |
| Iredell County | 40 | 82 | $2.2 m |
| Lincoln County | 40 | 76 | $1.5 m |
| Rutherford County | 34 | 62 | $1.7 m |
Households arriving report $4,349 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Catawba County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Burke County
What is the Burke County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$3.72 bn
- County GDP, 2023$3.50 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.5 percent
- GDP change over five years36.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the North Carolina areas BEA publishes37th of 100
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes859th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$42,421
Output grew 6.5 percent in the latest year and 36.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Burke County
Employment by industry in Burke County
- Covered employment, annual average29,553
- Establishments reporting1,725
- Average annual pay$48,986
- Average weekly wage$942
- Manufacturing, employment7,515
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$53,751
- Health care and social assistance, employment4,591
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$64,669
- Retail trade, employment3,006
- Retail trade, average annual pay$31,700
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,899
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,003
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,355
- Construction, employment810
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 7,515 | 109 | $53,751 |
| Health care and social assistance | 4,591 | 225 | $64,669 |
| Retail trade | 3,006 | 249 | $31,700 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,899 | 156 | $20,003 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,355 | 108 | $35,463 |
| Construction | 810 | 178 | $54,539 |
| Wholesale trade | 567 | 70 | $64,106 |
| Other services, except public administration | 504 | 122 | $39,259 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,515 jobs, 25.4 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Burke County
How many businesses are in Burke County?
- Establishments, all industries1,540
- Employment at those establishments24,509
- Annual payroll$1.10 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents17.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Burke County
Building permits in Burke County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024422
- Declared construction value permitted$88.4 m
- Single family units authorized322
- Multifamily units authorized100
- Multifamily share of units23.7 percent
- Average declared value per unit$209,428
- Units authorized per 1,000 households11.6
Single-family homes are 76.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Burke County
SBA loans in Burke County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded49
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$40.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$823,069
- Median 7(a) approval$436,000
- 10th percentile approval$24,000
- 90th percentile approval$2,048,600
- Largest single approval$4,764,600
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)456
- Jobs per approval9.3
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active26
- Distinct industries receiving approvals37
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer26.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms13
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter34
- Franchise loans5
- Franchise share of approvals10.2 percent
- Leading industry by approval countHotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (4)
- 504 approvals recorded3
- 504 gross approval dollars$726,000
- Average 504 approval$242,000
- Median 504 approval$285,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval3.0
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved12.4
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$41.1 m
The average approval of $823,069 sits well above the median of $436,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 26.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Burke County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Burke County
Do SBA loans in Burke County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded4
- Paid in full4
- Charged off0
- Status: Exempt from disclosure35
- Status: Paid in full4
- Status: Cancelled6
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed4
Only 4 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Burke County
SBA lending by place in Burke County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending5
- Morganton, approvals34
- Valdese, approvals6
- Connelly Springs, approvals4
- Hildebran, approvals4
- Moganton, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 34 | $33,096,900 |
| Valdese | 6 | $3,006,100 |
| Connelly Springs | 4 | $2,960,900 |
| Hildebran | 4 | $1,116,500 |
| Moganton | 1 | $150,000 |
Morganton accounts for 34 approvals against 6 in Valdese. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Burke County
How large is Burke County?
- Land area507 sq mi
- Rank by land area among North Carolina counties41st of 100
- Width, east to west35 mi
- Height, north to south30.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land173
- Establishments per square mile3.04
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Burke County
Flood risk in Burke County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Burke County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 370034
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book11
- Of those, participating in the NFIP11
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Burke County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Burke County (community 370034), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Burke County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Burke County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Burke County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202487,795
- Households36,306
- Average household size2.42
- Median household income$58,592
- Median age44.9
Common questions
Burke County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Burke County, North Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 88,545 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 87,795, in 36,306 households, ranking 33rd of 100 North Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Burke County's population growing?
The population has grown 1.13 percent since the 2020 census base of 87,556, to 88,545 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 854 births against 1,241 deaths, with net migration of 777. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Burke County?
$58,592. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $185,400, which is 3.2 times income, and median gross rent is $884 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Burke County?
1,540 establishments, employing 24,509 people with an annual payroll of $1.10 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Burke County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 7,515 jobs, 25.4 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 29,553 jobs at an average annual pay of $48,986, or $942 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Burke County?
49 7(a) approvals totaling $40.3 m since FY2020, across 26 lenders, with a median approval of $436,000, plus 3 504 approvals worth $726,000 since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Burke County?
422 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $88.4 m. Multifamily was 23.7 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Burke County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Burke County come from?
The largest single origin is Catawba County, with 382 households. Arriving households report an average income of $57,591 against $53,242 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Burke County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Burke County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Burke County
Cities and places in Burke.
12 Census places lie wholly or partly in Burke County. All 12 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | city | 44,258 | None recorded | 3.3 percent here, 94.2 percent Catawba County, 2.5 percent Caldwell County |
| Morganton | city | 17,646 | 34 | Wholly in this county |
| Long View | town | 5,011 | None recorded | 14.2 percent here, 85.8 percent Catawba County |
| Valdese | town | 4,704 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Connelly Springs | town | 2,427 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Salem | CDP | 2,377 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hildebran | town | 2,207 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Icard | CDP | 2,153 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Drexel | town | 2,146 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Glen Alpine | town | 1,991 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rutherford College | town | 1,374 | None recorded | 98.0 percent here, 2.0 percent Caldwell County |
| Rhodhiss | town | 1,166 | None recorded | 65.3 percent here, 34.7 percent Caldwell County |
A further 1 of the county's 49 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Burke County, the largest being Moganton (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.