Morganton, NC Demographics

A map of Morganton's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	10,301	10,489	58.4%	60.0%
Hispanic	3,982	4,108	22.6%	23.5%
Black	2,522	1,665	14.3%	9.5%
Multiracial	542	674	3.1%	3.9%
Asian	238	383	1.3%	2.2%
Native American/Other	61	155	0.3%	0.9%

Morganton, North Carolina has an estimated population of 17,646, a less than 1% change from the 17,474 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 58.4% White, 22.6% Hispanic, 14.3% Black, 3.1% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Morganton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Morganton has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is about as diverse as 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 Morganton, that probability was 57.3% in 2020 and 58.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Morganton is ranked the 62nd most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Morganton was ranked the 60th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Morganton's White Population

10,301 residents of Morganton, or 58.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Morganton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Morganton ranks 490th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Morganton's population has decreased from 60.0% to 58.4%.

Morganton is less White than neighboring Salem (80.9% White), Glen Alpine (82.7% White), Drexel (80.3% White), Valdese (86.2% White), and Gamewell (81.3% White).

Morganton's Black Population

2,522 residents of Morganton, or 14.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Morganton is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Morganton ranks 430th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's Black population has grown by an estimated 51.5%. Black residents' share of Morganton's population has increased from 9.5% to 14.3%.

Morganton is more Black than neighboring Salem (1.2% Black), Glen Alpine (2.5% Black), Drexel (1.7% Black), Valdese (3.3% Black), and Gamewell (0.2% Black).

Morganton's Asian Population

238 residents of Morganton, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Morganton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Morganton ranks 114th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's Asian population has declined by an estimated 37.9%. Asian residents' share of Morganton's population has decreased from 2.2% to 1.3%.

Morganton is more Asian than neighboring Salem (0% Asian), and Gamewell (0% Asian). Morganton is less Asian than neighboring Glen Alpine (4.8% Asian), Drexel (2.6% Asian), and Valdese (3.1% Asian).

Morganton's Hispanic Population

3,982 residents of Morganton, or 22.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Morganton is considerably higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Morganton ranks 38th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 3.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Morganton's population has decreased from 23.5% to 22.6%.

Morganton is more Hispanic than neighboring Salem (14.6% Hispanic), Glen Alpine (5.8% Hispanic), Drexel (9% Hispanic), Valdese (5.2% Hispanic), and Gamewell (14.9% Hispanic).

Morganton's Native American/Other Population

61 residents of Morganton, 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 Morganton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Morganton ranks 292nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 60.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Morganton's population has decreased from 0.9% to 0.3%.

Morganton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Salem (0% Native American/Other), Glen Alpine (0.1% Native American/Other), Valdese (0% Native American/Other), and Gamewell (0.1% Native American/Other). Morganton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Drexel (1.7% Native American/Other).

Morganton's Multiracial Population

542 residents of Morganton, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Morganton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Morganton ranks 351st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Morganton's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Morganton's population has decreased from 3.9% to 3.1%.

Morganton is more Multiracial than neighboring Valdese (2.2% Multiracial). Morganton is less Multiracial than neighboring Salem (3.3% Multiracial), Glen Alpine (4.1% Multiracial), Drexel (4.6% Multiracial), and Gamewell (3.5% 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.