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Burke County, North Carolina

Coordinates: 35°45′N 81°43′W / 35.75°N 81.71°W / 35.75; -81.71
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Burke County
County
Burke County Courthouse
Burke County Courthouse
Official seal of Burke County
Seal
Official logo of Burke County
Logo
Motto: 
"All About Advancing"
Map of North Carolina highlighting Burke County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°45′N 81°43′W / 35.75°N 81.71°W / 35.75; -81.71
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1777
Named forThomas Burke
SeatMorganton
Largest communityMorganton
Area
 • Total
514.24 sq mi (1,331.9 km2)
 • Land506.24 sq mi (1,311.2 km2)
 • Water8.00 sq mi (20.7 km2)  1.56%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
87,570
 • Estimate 
(2023)
88,338
 • Density172.98/sq mi (66.79/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.burkenc.org

Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 87,570.[1] Its county seat is Morganton.[2]

Burke County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

Indigenous peoples inhabited the interior and the coastal areas for thousands of years. Native Americans of the complex and far-flung Mississippian culture inhabited the county long before Europeans arrived in the New World. They were part of a trade network extending from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. They built earthwork mounds, including at Joara, a 12-acre (49,000 m2) site and regional chiefdom in North Carolina. (Present-day Morganton developed near this site.) It was the center of the largest Native American settlement in North Carolina, dating from about 1000 AD and expanding into the next centuries.[3]

In 1567, Spanish Juan Pardo's expedition arrived and built Fort San Juan at Joara, claiming the area for the colony of Spanish Florida. Pardo named the settlement Cuenca, after his home city.[3] They had been sent by the governor at Santa Elena (Parris Island) in South Carolina to find an overland route to the silver mines in central Mexico, believing that the Appalachians were connected to a range there.

Captain Juan Pardo, leader of the expedition, left about 30 soldiers at the fort while continuing his exploration. His expedition built another five forts to the west, in the foothills of the mountains. In the spring of 1568, the Indians attacked Fort San Juan, killing the soldiers and burning the fort. The natives killed all soldiers except one at the garrisons, at five other Spanish forts in the interior.[3]

In 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, Burke County was formed from Rowan County. It was named for Thomas Burke, then serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress (1777 to 1781). He was later elected as governor of North Carolina, serving one term from 1781 to 1782. The western Piedmont was settled by many Scots-Irish and German immigrants in the mid- to late 18th century. They were generally yeoman farmers and fiercely independent.

As population increased, the county was divided to form other jurisdictions. In 1791, parts of Burke County and Rutherford County were combined to form Buncombe County. In 1833, parts of Burke and Buncombe Counties were combined to form Yancey County. In 1841, parts of Burke and Wilkes Counties were combined to form Caldwell County. In 1842, additional parts of Burke and Rutherford Counties were combined to form McDowell County. Finally, in 1861, parts of Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Watauga, and Yancey Counties were combined to form Mitchell County.

The Burke County Regiment participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain, which pitted Appalachian frontiersmen against the Loyalist forces of British commander Ferguson at Kings Mountain, SC, in the American Revolution. Rather than waiting for Ferguson to invade their territory, militiamen throughout the Blue Ridge who crossed over the mountains to meet the enemy were known as the Over Mountain Men.[4]

A record of the 1567 Spanish expedition was not discovered and translated into English until the late 20th century. In the 1990s, excavation was started at a site believed to be Joara, continuing into the 21st century. In 2013, archeologists announced that they had found remains of Fort San Juan at Joara, confirming early accounts. This has changed knowledge and interpretation of early European encounters and colonization efforts in what would become the United States, as Spanish efforts preceded the successful efforts of England in Jamestown, Virginia, by 40 years.[5]

Geography

[edit]
Map
Interactive map of Burke County
A huge rock on top of a mountain with a flat top
Table Rock

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 514.24 square miles (1,331.9 km2), of which 506.24 square miles (1,311.2 km2) is land and 8.00 square miles (20.7 km2) (1.56%) is water.[6] The county contains portions of two lakes: Lake James along its western border with McDowell County and Lake Rhodhiss along its northeastern border with Caldwell County.

Table Rock, a prominent peak in the county in the east rim of Linville Gorge, part of Pisgah National Forest, has been described as "the most visible symbol in the region".[7]

In the southern part of the county, the South Mountains State Park covers almost 21,000-acre (8,500 ha) and features waterfalls and hiking trails.

National protected areas

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State and local protected areas

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See also: Category:Protected areas of Burke County, North Carolina

Major water bodies

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Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Major infrastructure

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17908,106—
18009,92922.5%
181011,00710.9%
182013,41121.8%
183017,88833.4%
184015,799−11.7%
18507,772−50.8%
18609,23718.8%
18709,7775.8%
188012,80931.0%
189014,93916.6%
190017,69918.5%
191021,40821.0%
192023,2978.8%
193029,41026.2%
194038,61531.3%
195045,51817.9%
196052,70115.8%
197060,36414.5%
198072,50420.1%
199075,7444.5%
200089,14817.7%
201090,9122.0%
202087,570−3.7%
2023 (est.)88,338[1]0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010[13] 2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]
Burke County racial composition[14]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 68,664 78.41%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,762 5.44%
Native American 238 0.27%
Asian 3,150 3.6%
Pacific Islander 64 0.07%
Other/Mixed 3,508 4.01%
Hispanic or Latino 7,184 8.2%

As of the 2020 census, 87,570 people, 36,634 households, and 25,391 families resided in the county.

2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census,[15] 89,148 people, 34,528 households, and 24,342 families were residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile (68 people/km2). The 37,427 housing units had an average density of 74 units per square mile (29 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.01% White, 6.71% African American, 0.30% Native American, 3.48% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. About 3.57% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 34,528 households, 31.0% had children under 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were not families. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.0% under 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,629, and for a family was $42,114. Males had a median income of $27,591 versus $21,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,397. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under 18 and 12.5% of those 65 or over.

Government and politics

[edit]

Burke County leans heavily Republican in presidential elections. The last Democrat to carry the county was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Lyndon Johnson, who won the county as a Democrat in 1964, was the only other one to do so since World War II. However, as late as the 1990s, Democratic presidential candidates have managed to garner 40% of the county's vote. As was typical for all of the South outside the Appalachian highlands and a few stronghold Republican counties, Burke County was mostly solidly Democratic before WWII.

In the North Carolina Senate, Burke County lies within the 46th Senate district, which also covers Cleveland County and is represented by Republican Warren Daniel. In the North Carolina House of Representatives, the northern two-thirds of Burke County comprises the 86th District represented by Republican Hugh Blackwell. The southern third lies within the 112nd district, which also covers Rutherford County and is represented by Republican David Rogers.

Burke County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments. The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, elected to serve four-year terms.[16]

United States presidential election results for Burke County, North Carolina[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 32,130 70.08% 13,272 28.95% 445 0.97%
2020 31,019 69.55% 13,118 29.41% 465 1.04%
2016 26,238 67.42% 11,251 28.91% 1,431 3.68%
2012 22,267 60.93% 13,701 37.49% 576 1.58%
2008 22,102 59.03% 14,901 39.80% 440 1.18%
2004 18,922 61.51% 11,728 38.12% 112 0.36%
2000 18,466 60.23% 11,924 38.89% 268 0.87%
1996 13,853 48.97% 11,678 41.28% 2,760 9.76%
1992 13,397 44.48% 12,565 41.71% 4,160 13.81%
1988 15,933 59.41% 10,848 40.45% 38 0.14%
1984 18,766 64.32% 10,353 35.48% 59 0.20%
1980 12,956 50.97% 11,680 45.95% 781 3.07%
1976 10,070 41.22% 14,254 58.34% 107 0.44%
1972 14,447 68.96% 6,197 29.58% 306 1.46%
1968 11,068 48.84% 5,704 25.17% 5,892 26.00%
1964 10,081 44.03% 12,815 55.97% 0 0.00%
1960 12,925 56.34% 10,015 43.66% 0 0.00%
1956 11,823 59.65% 7,999 40.35% 0 0.00%
1952 11,113 58.97% 7,732 41.03% 0 0.00%
1948 6,374 47.26% 6,226 46.16% 888 6.58%
1944 5,855 46.28% 6,795 53.72% 0 0.00%
1940 4,889 40.30% 7,242 59.70% 0 0.00%
1936 5,506 42.48% 7,454 57.52% 0 0.00%
1932 4,823 44.92% 5,866 54.64% 47 0.44%
1928 5,108 63.94% 2,881 36.06% 0 0.00%
1924 3,190 43.54% 4,137 56.46% 0 0.00%
1920 3,592 52.41% 3,262 47.59% 0 0.00%
1916 1,474 47.63% 1,621 52.37% 0 0.00%
1912 48 1.78% 1,365 50.54% 1,288 47.69%

Communities

[edit]
Map of Burke County with municipal and township labels

City

[edit]
  • Morganton (county seat and largest community)

Towns

[edit]

Townships

[edit]
  • Drexel
  • Icard
  • Jonas Ridge
  • Linville
  • Lovelady
  • Lower Creek
  • Lower Fork
  • Quaker Meadows
  • Silver Creek
  • Smoky Creek
  • Upper Creek
  • Upper Fork
  • Hildebran
  • Connelly Springs
  • Rutherford College
  • Valdese

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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[edit]

Although never explicitly mentioned by name in the novel, the hideout of Robur-the villain in Jules Verne's Master of the World-is thought to be Table Rock Mountain in Burke County.

The outdoor drama From This Day Forward has been performed annually in Burke County since 1968. It tells the story of the founding of the town of Valdese.[18]

Many scenes from the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans were filmed in Burke County. A full-scale fort was built next to the Linville boat access on Lake James for the filming. The fort was later destroyed and the land replanted with trees. Many of the extras who played settlers, British soldiers, and Native Americans were locals from Burke and surrounding counties.

The final scene from The Hunt for Red October had the backdrop filmed on Lake James, while the actors stayed in Hollywood.

In 2011, scenes for the Lionsgate adaptation of The Hunger Games were filmed near Hildebran, North Carolina, at the Henry River Mill Village.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Burke County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c David Moore, Robin Beck, and Christopher Rodning, "In Search of Fort San Juan: Sixteenth Century Spanish and Native Interaction in the North Carolina Piedmont" Archived June 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Warren Wilson College Archaeology Home Page, 2004, accessed June 26, 2008
  4. ^ (Clark, "Burke County," pp. 37–39)
  5. ^ John Noble Wilford, "Fort Tells of Spain’s Early Ambitions", New York Times, July 22, 2013, accessed July 22, 2013
  6. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  7. ^ Clark, Larry (2007). Burke County, North Carolina: Historic Tales from the Gateway to the Blue Ridge. The History Press. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-1-59629-323-6.
  8. ^ a b c d "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Burke County Board of Commissioners". Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  18. ^ "Outdoor Drama At Valdese Has Long Run". Charlotte Observer. June 3, 1973. p. 17E.
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