Unifour city by the Blue Ridge and Smoky mountains
First established by American settlers in 1784 and currently the seat of Burke County, Morganton provides a rural feel. With a population of roughly 17,500, the community is the least populated principal city in the Unifour, a tri-city metropolitan area in western North Carolina spanning four counties. Morganton may not have quite the cultural and commercial scene of Hickory; however, it has proximity to an abundance of outdoor activities and a resplendent, mountainous backdrop unlike any other in the region. “When you’re driving into Morganton, you get mountain views, but different ones from Lenoir or Hickory,” says Casey Bridges, owner and broker in charge of Bridges Real Estate. Bridges, who has been selling homes for over five years, says, “Lenoir and Morganton are by the Blue Ridge Mountains range, but by Morganton, they’re like the Smoky Mountains, with fog surrounding the peaks. And you’re not even an hour from ski resorts or the Blue Ridge Parkway.”
Morganton is a small town in Burke County growing at just the right pace.
It's hard to beat the views you get in Morganton.
The snow covered banks of the Catawba River in Morganton.
The Etta Baker Memorial is an over life-size bronze statue in Morganton.
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Historic homes, condos and new developments
The median home price is around $275,000, well below the national median of about $410,000. Morganton’s housing stock includes midcentury modern ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and Tudor Revival cottages. The Jonesboro Historic District offers a mix of American Craftsman bungalows and shotgun houses from the first few decades of the 1900s. Home prices typically run from $100,000 to $400,000. New Traditionals from the 2000s onward and builds with over 3,000 square feet of interior space are uncommon but can get up to around $750,000. Condos in the Victory Pointe subdivision fetch between $235,000 and $335,000.
A quaint home on a side street in Morganton.
A single family home in Morganton with a one car garage.
A carolina blue home in Morganton with well manicured landscaping.
A beautful historic home around the Downtown Morganton area.
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Hiking at South Mountains State Park and adventures on Lake James
The city manages 14 parks and recreation centers. Spanning 230 acres, Catawba Meadows Park invites visitors to explore a wooden playground, fly down a zipline, play a game of disc golf and learn about the community’s earliest settlers at the Native American Village Interpretive Center. Enclosed by a fence, Martha’s Park has a three-level play structure and a splash pad. Collett Street Recreation Center features indoor basketball and pickleball courts, club rooms and an exercise room. The city’s recreation centers also offer a variety of classes and programs, including skeet and trap shooting, fencing and Taekwondo.
Miles of hiking and biking trails crisscross South Mountains State Park 16 miles to the south, leading to waterfalls and scenic vistas. The park also offers campsites for backpackers, RVs and equestrians. Lake James State Park, 17 miles west of Morganton, grants visitors access to Lake James, a 7,000-acre reservoir popular for boating and fishing. Ramps to the Blue Ridge Parkway are roughly a 35-mile drive to the northwest. Ski resorts such as Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park and Beech Mountain are within a 50-mile drive from the city.
Collett Street Recreation Center is a great spot for pickleball or other activities.
Lake James State Park is a massive state park just 20 minutes from Morganton.
Fishing is popular at Lake James.
COMMA, a Performing Arts Center is located in the heart of Morganton.
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Small businesses, manufacturers and UNC Health Blue Ridge are big employers
Downtown Morganton is home to restaurants, shops and other local businesses. In addition to this commercial core, the city has a few shopping centers, such as Morganton Heights and Morganton Plaza. On Saturday mornings from May through October, vendors sell fresh produce and locally crafted products at the Morganton Farmers Market, which is on the edge of downtown.
Some of the city’s biggest employers include Leviton Manufacturing, Case Farms and UNC Health Blue Ridge – a hospital on the east side of town.
UNC Health Blue Ridge is a large employer in the Morganton area.
Merrill Mischief is home to award winning fudge in Downtown Morganton.
Uncle Eee's is a local favorite, known for great burgers in Downtown Morganton.
Stop by Blue Print Barber Shop for a fresh cut and shoot the breeze in Morganton.
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Burke County Schools and other educational institutions
The Burke County Schools district receives an A-minus from Niche. The B-plus-rated Freedom High is the 10th-best standout high school in the state. The school opened in 1973 and had an open classroom plan where classes were taught separately in a single, spacious room. Today, partial walls have been introduced to the facility, and many classes take place in a newer building with enclosed rooms. Morganton is also home to the North Carolina School for the Deaf and Western Piedmont Community College.
Western Piedmont Community College is a public community college in Morganton.
Patton High School is a Burke County School that opened in 2007, in Morganton.
Walter R. Johnson is a Morganton Middle School with 465 students in grades 6-8.
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Hill Elementary School in Morganton is 15:1.
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Close to Interstate 40
“Morganton’s closer to Asheville than Hickory or Lenoir, and it has the airport and a ton of shopping and medical places,” Bridges says. Interstate 40 runs along the city's southern border, with Salem on the other side. Via this highway, Asheville is about 60 miles to the west by car, while Hickory is 20 miles east. The expressway runs roughly parallel to U.S. Route 70. U.S. Route 64 goes 15 miles northeast to Lenoir. A West Piedmont Regional Transit Authority bus loops around Morganton, and flex routes are available upon request.
Foothills Regional Airport is located 9 miles northeast of Morganton and is primarily used for general aviation. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the closest major commercial airport, 70 miles southeast.
WPRTA is a local bus that runs in Morganton.
Interstate 40 runs through Morganton and carries you into the beautiful NC mountains.
Highway 64 is a main highway that runs through Morganton and many other foothills towns.
Blowing Rock is a beautiful NC mountain town about 45 minutes from Morganton.
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The Morganton Festival is a weekend of family fun
Bands perform at the TGIF Summer Concert Series every Friday night during the summer outside the historic Burke Courthouse. Taking place the weekend after Labor Day, the Morganton Festival is a family friendly celebration with live music and performances, carnival rides and typically a mile of vendors.
Rebuilding after Hurricane Helene
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene, a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, doused Morganton and the Catawba Valley, delivering 8 inches of rain to the community. As of January 2025, the city is continuing to rebuild in Helene’s aftermath, with several parks closed for reconstruction.
Morganton experiences four seasons with hot, humid summers and cool, mildly snowy winters.
The City of Morganton Public Safety Department reported a 25% decrease in violent crime and a 17% decrease in property crime between 2023 and 2022. The Department conducts outreach programs throughout the year, such as the Law Enforcement Explorers program, where eight youths between the ages of 14 and 21 can learn more about careers in law enforcement and firefighting.
Morganton Fire Station 70-1 does their best to keep the residents of Morganton safe.
The police officers in Morganton do their best to keep the town safe.
The Morganton police department consists of 36 patrol officers.
Morganton has a lot to offer, a great small town in NC.
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Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Photography Contributed By
Scott Brotherton
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dennis Whitson,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Morganton, NC sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Morganton, NC over the last 12 months is $280,950, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Bright and open large two-story condo at the stunning Victory Pointe complex. Walk into a spacious living room with cathedral ceilings, skylights, wood parquet floors, and gas fireplace. Continue to the updated kitchen with custom island, granite countertops, stainless appliances, and ample cabinetry. Off the kitchen is a utility room with washer, dryer, and shelving. Two different sets of
Need a beautiful home with a lot of space? This home has it–With over 4,400 sq ft on about 1.04 acres, this home offers room to live, work, and grow. This sprawling 4BR/4BA home features a spacious living room with a gas fireplace, formal dining, roomy kitchen, and a large bonus room perfect for a second living room, library or home office. The oversized primary suite is privately situated with a
NAME YOUR PRICE SELLING AT AUCTION! NOTE THE LIST PRICE IS THE TAX VALUE OR HIGH BID PRICE AND IS NOT INDICITIVE OF THE SELLING PRICE AS THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SELLING VIA AN ONLINE AUCTION! PREAUCTION OFFERS ARE ALWAYS ENCOURAGED AND WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON TERMS OF SALE! SELLING AS IS WHERE IS NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED SEE FULL TERMS AND CONDITION BEFORE BIDDING 10% BUYERS PREMINUM
Buyers are you Ready to Build a Quaint Mountain Cabin in Morganton. This cleared lot is ready to start demolition of the old house and ready to build your dream house to live or simply getaway. If you enjoy the mountain views but close to restaurants and highways, then this location is for you. The current home is not safe to enter, so please do not access the house. Please verify the Well and
Coming SOON! Make your showing appt for live show date on July 1st. Check back for more photos & virtual tour. Experience refined living in this elegant 3-bedroom, 2 full bath/2 half bath home loc along the 16th fairway of the Silver Creek Plantation Golf Course. The home feat. hand-scraped hardwood floors and tile throughout, complemented by a stunning stone fireplace w/ gas logs in the living
Like new Clayton manufactured home with 4-bedrooms and 2-baths.The kitchen island and dining area offer a blend of functionality and style for families. The kitchen island provides extra prep space and seating, while the dining area can be a formal or more casual space. The primary bedroom has an ensuite bath with a large walk-in closet. The other bathroom is centrally located for the other3
Riverview Apartments offers two bedroom, two bath units with washer/dryer hook up and a private patio or balcony. The property is pet friendly so you do not need to leave your furry family member behind! Tenants can enjoy the onsite pool and fitness center.
Escape to your PRIVATE OASIS with this LUXURIOUS stunning brick home nestled on approximately 31.97 acres displaying breathtaking views. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature while enjoying the convenience of being a reasonable drive from Lake James, the breathtaking Linville Gorge, and the picturesque South Mountains. Step into a world of grandeur in the magnificent 2-story great room,
Welcome to Murphy's Farm Apartments, a unique apartment community in Morganton, North Carolina. Our apartments offer spacious layouts with modern finishes, designed to elevate your living experience. Enjoy beautiful outdoor spaces, premier amenities, and first-class services, all in an extremely desirable location. Whether you're looking for a cozy 1-bedroom or a spacious 2-bedroom apartment,
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