Burke County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 89,148. Its county seat is Morganton⁶. The symbol of Burke County is Table Rock.

History

The county was formed in 1777 from Rowan County. It was named for Thomas Burke, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1781 and Governor of North Carolina from 1781 to 1782.

In 1791 parts of Burke County and Rutherford County were combined to form Buncombe County. In 1833 parts of Burke County and Buncombe County were combined to form Yancey County. In 1841 parts of Burke County and Wilkes County were combined to form Caldwell County. In 1842 additional parts of Burke County and Rutherford County were combined to form McDowell County. Finally, in 1861 parts of Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County were combined to form Mitchell County.

Law and government

Burke County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,334 km² (515 mi²). 1,312 km² (507 mi²) of it is land and 21 km² (8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.59% water.

Townships

The county is divided into thirteen townships: Drexel, Icard, Jonas Ridge, Linville, Lovelady, Lower Creek, Lower Fork, Morganton, Quaker Meadows, Silver Creek, Smoky Creek, Upper Creek, and Upper Fork.

Adjacent Counties

• Caldwell County, North Carolina - north
• Catawba County, North Carolina - east
• Cleveland County, North Carolina - south-southeast
• Rutherford County, North Carolina - south-southwest
• McDowell County, North Carolina - west
• Avery County, North Carolina - northwest

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families residing in the county. The population density is 68/km² (176/mi²). There are 37,427 housing units at an average density of 29/km² (74/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 86.01% White, 6.71% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.48% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 3.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 34,528 households out of which 31.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% are married couples living together, 11.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% are non-families. 25.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $35,629, and the median income for a family is $42,114. Males have a median income of $27,591 versus $21,993 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,397. 10.70% of the population and 8.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.60% of those under the age of 18 and 12.50% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

• Connelly Springs
• Drexel
• Glen Alpine
• Hickory
• Hildebran
• Icard
• Long View
• Morganton
• Rhodhiss
• Rutherford College
• Salem
• Valdese

External links

• Burke County government official website