Burke County

As of the most recent data, Burke County, NC, has a population of approximately 87,000. The racial composition is about 81% White, 7% Black or African American, 1% Asian, 1% Native American, and 8% Hispanic or Latino. The median age is around 43 years. The county has about 34,000 households, with an average household size of 2.5 persons. The median household income is roughly $43,000, and approximately 17% of the population lives below the poverty line.

As of 2023, the median home price in Burke County, NC is approximately $220,000. The area has seen a 7% increase in home values over the past year. The median rent is around $950 per month. Burke County has a homeownership rate of about 75%. The average property tax rate is roughly 0.65%, making it relatively affordable compared to national averages. Housing inventories are low, leading to a competitive market.

As of the latest elections, Burke County, North Carolina, had a competitive political landscape. The 2022 general election featured several key races:

1. County Commissioners

   • Republican: Johnnie Carswell (Incumbent) - 23,567 votes (51.8%)
   • Democrat: Tony Shuester - 18,544 votes (40.7%)
   • Independent: Brian Thompson - 3,345 votes (7.4%)

2. School Board

   • At-Large: Buddy Armour (Incumbent) - 20,222 votes (50.3%)
   • Challenger: Susan Stringfield - 19,978 votes (49.7%)

3. Sheriff

   • Republican: Steve Whisenant (Incumbent) - 24,122 votes (55.2%)
   • Democrat: Carlton Philbeck - 19,572 votes (44.8%)

These elections show the active engagement of voters in the county, influencing the local leadership and education system. Voter turnout was approximately 62%, demonstrating the community's robust participation.

As of the most recent data, Burke County, NC, has a high school graduation rate of approximately 84.5%, which is below the national average of around 88% and the North Carolina state average of 87.6%. When it comes to higher education, about 15.7% of Burke County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. In comparison, the national average for bachelor's degree attainment is roughly 33.1%, while the state average in North Carolina is about 31%. Thus, Burke County falls short in educational attainment levels compared to both national and state averages.

As of recent data, Burke County, NC, has a labor force participation rate of around 57.8%. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 3.7% but on par with the state average of 4.2%.

Top industries in Burke County include Manufacturing, Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Educational Services. Specifically, manufacturing employs about 26% of the workforce, much higher than the national average of roughly 8.5% and the state average of 10.7%. Healthcare and Social Assistance employ around 15%, Retail Trade about 11%, and Educational Services approximately 9%, aligning more closely with both state and national trends for these sectors.

These figures highlight a strong manufacturing presence in Burke County, distinguishing it significantly from broader employment patterns.

Certainly! As of the latest data available, Burke County, NC has an average household income of approximately $42,500. This falls below both the North Carolina state average and the national average. Here's a comparison:

Burke County's average household income is around 22.2% lower than the state average and about 38.1% lower than the national average. These disparities reflect the economic challenges faced by residents in the county compared to broader state and national metrics.

Please note that these figures are approximate and may vary slightly based on new economic data and reporting sources.

As of the latest available data, Burke County, NC, has a crime rate of about 3,256 incidents per 100,000 residents. This includes various types of crimes such as violent crimes and property crimes. The crime rate is relatively moderate compared to state and national averages. Here's a breakdown of crime types and their occurrences:

Note: These values are subject to change and should be verified with the latest reports from local law enforcement agencies or crime statistics databases.