Burke County Demographics

A map of Burke County's Population by Race

Burke County, North Carolina had a population of 87,570 in 2020. It was 78.4% White, 5.4% Black, 3.6% Asian, 8.2% Hispanic, 0.6% Native American/Other, and 3.7% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Burke County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Burke County is the 32nd most populous county of the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Burke County's White Population

68,664 residents of Burke County identify as White, or 78.4%. This makes the White share of the population of Burke County larger than the White share of the population of North Carolina (60.5% White). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #32 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Burke County is more White than neighboring Cleveland County (70.5% White). Burke County is less White than neighboring Caldwell County (84.1% White), McDowell County (84.8% White), Avery County (87.3% White), and Rutherford County (80.7% White).

Burke County's Black Population

4,762 residents of Burke County identify as Black, or 5.4%. This makes the Black share of the population of Burke County less than the Black share of the population of North Carolina (20.2% Black). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #72 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Burke County is more Black than neighboring Caldwell County (4.8% Black), McDowell County (3.8% Black), and Avery County (3.6% Black). Burke County is less Black than neighboring Rutherford County (9.1% Black), and Cleveland County (20.1% Black).

Burke County's Asian Population

3,150 residents of Burke County identify as Asian, or 3.6%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Burke County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of North Carolina (3.3% Asian). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #9 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Burke County is more Asian than neighboring Caldwell County (0.7% Asian), McDowell County (0.9% Asian), Avery County (0.3% Asian), Rutherford County (0.5% Asian), and Cleveland County (0.9% Asian).

Burke County's Hispanic Population

7,184 residents of Burke County identify as Hispanic, or 8.2%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Burke County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of North Carolina (10.7% Hispanic). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #41 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Burke County is more Hispanic than neighboring Caldwell County (6.1% Hispanic), McDowell County (6.6% Hispanic), Avery County (5.5% Hispanic), Rutherford County (5.1% Hispanic), and Cleveland County (4.1% Hispanic).

Burke County's Native American/Other Population

542 residents of Burke County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.6%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Burke County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of North Carolina (1.5% Native American/Other). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #66 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Burke County's Multiracial Population

3,268 residents of Burke County identify as Multiracial, or 3.7%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Burke County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of North Carolina (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, Burke County is ranked #44 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Burke County is more Multiracial than neighboring McDowell County (3.3% Multiracial), and Avery County (2.6% Multiracial). Burke County is less Multiracial than neighboring Caldwell County (3.8% Multiracial), Rutherford County (4% Multiracial), and Cleveland County (3.9% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.