Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 35 min6:10 am – 8:45 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 45 min7:31 am – 5:16 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People11,290 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 43.74,763 householdsMedian household income $54,934Median home value $162,400Median rent $872 a month75% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,119 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting7.9% unemployment rate57% of adults are in the labour force, 4,997 employedMain industries: manufacturing 24%, education and health care 22%, retail 11%Average commute 25 minutes85% drive alone, 9% car-pool, 5% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages14% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher83% finished high school, 5% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 97%, other Asian or Pacific languages 1%, Spanish 1%2% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 88°F, lows 66°FColdest month January: highs 49°F, lows 28°F52 in of rain a year, on about 82 dayswettest month June5 in of snow a year, on about 2 days35 days above 90°F, 91 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Morganton station, 9 mi away
Parks and public landsSouth Mountains State Parkstate park · 5.4 mi · 21,329 acresSpring Parkpark · 5.7 miTown of Valdese - McGalliard Falls Parkrecreation area · 8.0 miWilderness Gateway State Trailstate park · 10.8 mi · 485 acresSouth Mountains Game Landstate conservation land · 9.7 mi · 22,541 acresJohns River Game Landstate conservation land · 12.1 mi · 6,448 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.2 on 5 Jun 199843 mi away, near Mooresville, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 15 Dec 201428 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowBurke County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsIce storm Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality69% of days had good air in 2025239 of 347 days measured108 moderate daysMedian index 42, worst day 88main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Catawba County, NC, 18 mi away
Internet at home74% of households have a broadband subscription54% have cable, fibre or DSL15% rely on a mobile data plan alone24% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCity of Morgantonserves 27,221 people from surface waterNo health-based violations since 20213 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation1,270 ft387 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalUniversity of North Carolina Health Blue Ridge Hospital8.4 miPost officeIcard Post Office6.1 miTown hallValdese Town Hall6.5 miPoliceValdese Police Department6.6 miFire stationGeorge Hildebran Fire and Rescue Department1.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 elementaryElementaryGeorge Hildebrand Elementary School1.6 miCollegeWestern Piedmont Community College9.8 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT45 miInterstateI-405.4 miUS highwayUS 706.2 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS34 miCoachHickory (App State)Sunway Charters12 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28612 ZIP area.
