Morganton ZIP Code List — Burke County, NC

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Morganton, North Carolina. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

324.99

sq mi land

2.50

sq mi water

828

area code

Morganton, NC ZIP code map

About Morganton, NC

Morganton is a vibrant city located in Burke County, North Carolina. Known for its rich history and scenic beauty, Morganton offers a blend of urban and rural living. It stands out as a community that values both its historical heritage and modern conveniences.

Location & geography

Morganton is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a picturesque location for outdoor enthusiasts. It is approximately 26 miles from Hickory to the northeast and about 45 miles from Asheville to the southwest. The city covers a land area of 324.99 square miles, alongside 2.50 square miles of water, offering diverse terrain and recreational opportunities.

Community & economy

The character of Morganton is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community. Local industries include manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, contributing to a stable economy. Daily life in Morganton encompasses a mix of cultural events, outdoor activities, and a deep connection to the surrounding natural resources, making it a delightful place to live and visit.

Transportation

Morganton is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 40, which connects to various regional destinations. The nearest named airport is Hickory Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, but the city is generally navigable by car, contributing to its suburban feel.

History

Founded in the early 18th century, Morganton has a deep-rooted history tied closely to the development of Burke County. The city thrived on industries such as textiles and furniture manufacturing, which have shaped its economic landscape. Notable events in Morganton's history include its involvement in the early establishment of Western North Carolina and playing a role in the region's growth during the 20th century.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Morganton is that it was once home to the famous outdoor drama 'The Lost Colony,' which showcased the area's historical significance. Furthermore, the city hosts an annual event called the Morganton Festival, which celebrates its arts, culture, and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Morganton, NC (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28655	Morganton	Burke	View map
28680	Morganton	Burke	View map

Demographics & statistics

56,692

Population

44.3

Median age

$51,689

Median household income

$28,501

Per capita income

$156,900

Median home value

$780

Median monthly rent

74.6%

Home ownership

20.6%

Poverty rate

6.8%

Unemployment

19,266

Housing units

20.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,346

Under 5

1,310

1,462

5–9

1,424

1,591

10–14

1,549

1,533

15–19

1,493

1,919

20–24

1,868

3,348

25–34

3,259

3,319

35–44

3,232

3,872

45–54

3,770

2,344

55–59

2,282

2,120

60–64

2,064

3,315

65–74

3,228

1,815

75–84

1,767

741

85+

721

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	10,444	18.4%
18 and over	46,248	81.6%
65 and over	11,587	20.4%
Median age	44.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 74.9%

Black or African American 7.9%

Hispanic or Latino 5.4%

Other race 4.3%

Two or more races 3.7%

Asian 2.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	44,914	74.9%
Black or African American	4,710	7.9%
Hispanic or Latino	3,262	5.4%
Other race	2,584	4.3%
Two or more races	2,191	3.7%
Asian	1,502	2.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	743	1.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	48	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.4%

$10k–$15k 5.5%

$15k–$25k 11.0%

$25k–$35k 10.4%

$35k–$50k 16.3%

$50k–$75k 17.8%

$75k–$100k 13.7%

$100k–$150k 12.6%

$150k–$200k 3.8%

$200k+ 3.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.4%
$10k–$15k	5.5%
$15k–$25k	11.0%
$25k–$35k	10.4%
$35k–$50k	16.3%
$50k–$75k	17.8%
$75k–$100k	13.7%
$100k–$150k	12.6%
$150k–$200k	3.8%
$200k+	3.3%
Median income	$51,689

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.9%

$50k–$100k 17.0%

$100k–$150k 20.2%

$150k–$200k 17.4%

$200k–$300k 18.7%

$300k–$500k 12.3%

$500k–$1M 3.4%

$1M+ 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$156,900
Median rent / month	$780
Owner occupied	74.6%
Renter occupied	25.4%
Vacant	11.4%
Single-family detached	67.0%
Large apartment buildings	1.8%
Mobile homes	20.1%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.46

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	3.9%
2000–2009	12.4%
1990–1999	16.1%
1980–1989	17.1%
1970–1979	16.9%
1960–1969	12.6%
1950–1959	7.7%
1940–1949	6.1%
1939 or earlier	6.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.4%
1 bedroom	5.0%
2 bedrooms	32.0%
3 bedrooms	49.4%
4 bedrooms	11.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.1%
1 vehicle	29.5%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	30.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	11.6%
Electricity	68.2%
Propane / LP gas	7.6%
Fuel oil	8.2%
Wood	3.4%
No fuel used	1.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	10,677	48.5%
Cohabiting couple	1,304	5.9%
Male householder, no spouse	4,044	18.4%
Female householder, no spouse	5,991	27.2%
Households with children under 18	6,134	27.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	8,023	36.4%
Average household size	2.47

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.1%	26.3%
Married	50.3%	47.2%
Separated	2.3%	3.3%
Widowed	2.8%	10.2%
Divorced	9.5%	13.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.2%

Some HS, no diploma 9.4%

HS graduate 31.3%

Some college, no degree 19.9%

Associate's degree 11.7%

Bachelor's degree 12.7%

Graduate / professional 7.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.4%
Bachelor's or higher	20.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	391	3.5%
Kindergarten	704	6.2%
Elementary school	4,963	43.9%
High school	2,542	22.5%
College / grad school	2,693	23.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.7%

Manufacturing 23.6%

Retail trade 9.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.0%

Professional & management 5.9%

Public administration 5.7%

Construction 5.5%

Other services 5.4%

Transportation & utilities 3.7%

Finance & real estate 2.5%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 1.4%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.7%
Service	20.4%
Sales & office	15.3%
Natural resources & construction	11.4%
Production & transportation	21.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.8%
Government	19.8%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.2%
Carpool	8.9%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.0

Poverty

All people 20.6%

Under 18 years 34.8%

18 and over 17.4%

Married-couple families 9.9%

Female-led households 32.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.1%
Retirement income	29.5%
Supplemental Security	5.4%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	35.5%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	27.7%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.1%
No physical activity	27.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.8%
Fair or poor health	17.9%
Poor mental health	15.4%
Poor physical health	12.8%
No health insurance	20.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.0%
Visited dentist	56.7%
Cholesterol screening	88.3%
Teeth loss	19.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	3,113	6.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.0%
Under 18	4.7%
18–64 years	19.8%
65 and over	39.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	58.8%
Public insurance	44.0%
Uninsured under 19	4.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	54,036	95.3%
Spanish	2,155	4.0%
Other Indo-European	1,429	2.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	101	0.2%
Other languages	301	0.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	53,567	94.5%
Born in same state	52,793	93.1%
Born in different state	39,218	69.2%
Foreign born	774	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	3,125	5.5%
Not a US citizen	1,328	42.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	13,391	23.6%
French	5,202	9.2%
Italian	4,694	8.3%
English	476	0.8%
German	145	0.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	136	0.2%
Irish	110	0.2%
Dutch	51	0.1%
Norwegian	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.8%
Internet access	89.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Morganton, NC?

Morganton, NC has one ZIP code: 28655.

What is the main ZIP code for Morganton, NC?

The primary ZIP code for Morganton, NC is 28655. The city uses area code 828 for phone service.

What county is Morganton, NC in?

Morganton is located in Burke County, North Carolina.

How many ZIP codes are in Morganton, NC?

Morganton, NC has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mail addressed to downtown Morganton near the Burke County Courthouse?

Downtown Morganton, including the area around the historic Burke County Courthouse, uses ZIP code 28655.

What is the ZIP code for Morganton State Historic Site and the surrounding historic district area?

Morganton State Historic Site and the surrounding historic district in Morganton are located in ZIP code 28655.