Living in Morganton, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Morganton · Census data 2020–2024
Morganton has 17,646 residents with a median age of 37.8. The median household income is $51,355 (29% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $221,700, the median rent is $944/month.
Morganton at a glance
- Population
- 17,646
- Median age
- 37.8State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $51,355State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $221,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $944/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 54.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.1%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Morganton a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 25.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Morganton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Morganton the median home value is $221,700, 33% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $944 per month, which is 29.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,286 a month in housing costs.
Morganton median household income
The median household income in Morganton is $51,355 and the income per person is $29,317. 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Morganton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,547
- Owner-occupied
- 54.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.3%
- Vacant
- 8.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.40
Morganton demographics
- Population
- 17,646
- Median age
- 37.8
- Under 18
- 24.4%
- 65 and older
- 22%
- Households
- 6,888
- Foreign-born
- 10.6%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Morganton ›
Education in Morganton
26.1% of adults 25 and older in Morganton have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Morganton
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 8.1%
- Drive alone
- 75.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.4%
Morganton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | $221,700 | $944 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | $159,100 | $856 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | $172,800 | $871 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | $214,400 | $590 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | $209,800 | $665 |
| Rutherford College | 1,374 | $67,500 | $185,600 | $853 |
| Gamewell | 3,689 | $46,556 | $170,100 | $808 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | $206,500 | $884 |
| Cajah's Mountain | 2,704 | $53,361 | $201,800 | $729 |
More for people moving to Morganton
Morganton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Morganton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Morganton, NC?
The median household income in Morganton is $51,355, 29% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Morganton?
The median home value in Morganton is $221,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Morganton?
The median gross rent in Morganton is $944 per month, about 29.4% of household income.
Is Morganton, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 25.7%.
What is the median age in Morganton?
The median age in Morganton is 37.8 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Morganton?
The average commute to work in Morganton is 18 minutes; 8.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Morganton?
The unemployment rate in Morganton is 3.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Morganton?
26.1% of adults in Morganton have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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