Burke County Demographics

A map of Burke County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	69,461	68,664	79.1%	78.4%
Hispanic	7,457	7,184	8.5%	8.2%
Black	5,312	4,762	6.1%	5.4%
Asian	3,072	3,150	3.5%	3.6%
Multiracial	2,202	3,268	2.5%	3.7%
Native American/Other	291	542	0.3%	0.6%

Burke County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 87,795, a less than 1% change from the 87,570 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 79.1% White, 8.5% Hispanic, 6.1% Black, 3.5% Asian, 2.5% Multiracial, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Burke County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Burke has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Burke County, that probability was 37.3% in 2020 and 36.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Burke County is ranked the 33rd most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Burke County was ranked the 32nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Burke County's White Population

69,461 residents of Burke County, or 79.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Burke County is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Burke County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. White residents' share of Burke County's population has increased from 78.4% to 79.1%.

Burke County is more White than neighboring Cleveland County (70.6% White). Burke County is less White than neighboring Caldwell County (85.3% White), McDowell County (85.6% White), Avery County (85.7% White), and Rutherford County (80.8% White).

Burke County's Black Population

5,312 residents of Burke County, or 6.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Burke County is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Burke County ranks 72nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's Black population has grown by an estimated 11.5%. Black residents' share of Burke County's population has increased from 5.4% to 6.1%.

Burke County is more Black than neighboring Caldwell County (4.1% Black), McDowell County (3.8% Black), and Avery County (3.8% Black). Burke County is less Black than neighboring Rutherford County (7.7% Black), and Cleveland County (17.9% Black).

Burke County's Asian Population

3,072 residents of Burke County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Burke County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Burke County ranks 9th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.5%. Asian residents' share of Burke County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Burke County is more Asian than neighboring Caldwell County (0.5% Asian), McDowell County (1.1% Asian), Avery County (0.4% Asian), Rutherford County (0.5% Asian), and Cleveland County (0.9% Asian).

Burke County's Hispanic Population

7,457 residents of Burke County, or 8.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Burke County is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Burke County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Burke County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 8.5%.

Burke County is more Hispanic than neighboring Caldwell County (6.7% Hispanic), McDowell County (7.1% Hispanic), Avery County (6.1% Hispanic), Rutherford County (5.7% Hispanic), and Cleveland County (4.7% Hispanic).

Burke County's Native American/Other Population

291 residents of Burke County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Burke County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Burke County ranks 66th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 46.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Burke County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Burke County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Caldwell County (0.2% Native American/Other). Burke County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Avery County (0.7% Native American/Other), Rutherford County (0.9% Native American/Other), and Cleveland County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Burke County's Multiracial Population

2,202 residents of Burke County, or 2.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Burke County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Burke County ranks 44th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Burke County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 32.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Burke County's population has decreased from 3.7% to 2.5%.

Burke County is more Multiracial than neighboring McDowell County (2% Multiracial). Burke County is less Multiracial than neighboring Caldwell County (3.2% Multiracial), Avery County (3.3% Multiracial), Rutherford County (4.4% Multiracial), and Cleveland County (5.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.