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Morganton North Carolina Map

Explore Morganton, North Carolina, with this interactive street and satellite map.

This page also offers TOPO MAPS — the official USGS topographic sheets — plus USGS aerial imagery, a labelled USNG grid overlay, a distance and bearing tool, and a GPS grid-reference readout. See How to Use This Map below.

Interactive Map of Morganton, North Carolina

How to Use This Morganton, North Carolina Map

This interactive map shows the street layout and satellite imagery for Morganton, North Carolina. Use the Map and Satellite buttons above to switch between street map and aerial imagery views. Use the + and − buttons to zoom in or out, or scroll your mouse wheel while holding the Control key to zoom. On a touchscreen, use a two-finger pinch gesture. Drag the map to pan to any area of North Carolina or beyond.

Click ⛶ Fullscreen to expand the map to fill your screen. To return to the normal page view, press the Escape key, click the ✕ Exit Fullscreen button that appears above the map, or on a mobile device tap the back button (Android) or the close icon (iOS).

TOPO MAPS — NEW. Click the green 🔍 Search Maps button below the map to open a second map with a Base map row offering three choices. OSM is the standard OpenStreetMap street map. Topo shows the official USGS topographic maps from The National Map — contours, hydrography, land cover and shaded relief, the same mapping used for hiking, hunting and back-country navigation in the Adirondacks, the Catskills and the Finger Lakes. Imagery shows USGS aerial photography, mostly 1-metre NAIP. The search box finds any US town, county or landmark by name, so you are not limited to Morganton.

Reading the map like a paper quad. Click Grid to overlay the U.S. National Grid (USNG), labelled along the edges exactly as a printed topographic sheet is — at normal zoom the squares are one kilometre across, so you can read a six-figure grid reference by eye and judge distance directly off the map. Click Measure, then tap two points, to get the distance between them together with the grid bearing in degrees and mils, the true bearing, and the magnetic bearing to set on a compass.

Click 📍 My position to take a single GPS reading from your device. It marks where you are and reports your position as a USNG grid reference as well as plain latitude and longitude — USNG being the format FEMA and US search and rescue teams work from — with a Copy position button so you can paste it straight into a text message. It takes one reading and stops, rather than tracking continuously, to conserve your battery. Note that map tiles need cell coverage, but a GPS reading does not — your coordinates stay correct even where the map itself cannot load.

City	Morganton
State	North Carolina (NC)
County	Burke County
Country	United States of America
Timezone	Eastern Time (America/New_York)

Latitude	35.740836
Longitude	-81.700354
Population	17,474
Density	350.6 /km²
Incorporated	Yes
ZIP Codes	28655, 28680
Area Code	828
County Seat	Morganton
School District	Burke County Schools

🌦 Goto Morganton Weather Page: Morganton, North Carolina — Weather Warnings, Forecast, Radar, Satellite & Current Conditions

About Morganton, North Carolina

Morganton is a locality in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. It has a population of 17,474. The population density is 350.6 people per km². Morganton is located at 35.7408°N, 81.7004°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. Morganton is an incorporated locality. ZIP codes: 28655, 28680.

Morganton occupies a quiet expanse of the inland landscape, defined by the steady presence of Hunting Creek as it winds through the terrain. It lies 14.2 miles southwest of Lenoir, NC (from Lenoir, NC: bearing 215°T), and is situated 6.8 miles west of Valdese. The earth here holds a stillness that suggests an ancient, deep-rooted patience, far removed from the clamor of the distant coastline. To the west, the sharp silhouettes of the Blue Ridge Mountains frame the horizon, acting as a constant, cool sentinel over the changing light of the seasons. Leonhart Lake rests a mere two miles away, offering a glassy reflection of the clouds during the humid heat of midsummer afternoons. Within the immediate center of the daily commute, the Bouchelle St. & E Meeting St. Corner Mini Park provides a brief, green pause in the routine of the day. The ground is characterized by dense woodlands and fertile soil that suggest a rugged, persistent vitality.

Morganton traces its origins to a period of westward expansion when the promise of agriculture and trade drew settlers to the interior plains. Early industry found its footing in the reliable flow of water and the accessibility of local timber, which anchored the economy for generations. While the textile mills once hummed with the rhythm of heavy machinery, the modern local economy has diversified into a broader range of manufacturing and specialized trade. The legacy of these labor-intensive roots remains visible in the sturdy brick facades of old warehouses that still line the older streets. Residents today balance this industrial heritage with a shift toward professional services, maintaining a steady, deliberate pace of growth.

Morganton fosters a cultural identity that favors courteous exchanges and a deliberate, unhurried appreciation for local tradition. The spirit of the region often surfaces in the Appalachian ballad tradition, where songs passed down through families echo the cadence of the surrounding hills. During the autumn, the community gathers for local events that highlight the harvest and the changing color of the leaves, marking time with a communal focus. Notable individuals such as the legendary bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs have roots in this broader Piedmont region, reflecting the authentic musical heritage that permeates the local consciousness. Visitors might find their way toward Ball Alley, an eleven-mile trek that offers a glimpse into the natural topography of the basin. The town moves with a quiet confidence, grounded in the reality of its inland geography and the enduring character of its people.

Nearby Outdoor Places

City of Morganton - Catawba River Greenway (Local Recreation) — 0.5 mi, 325° NW
Historic Town Limit (Monument) — 0.6 mi, 037° NE
City of Morganton - Catawba Meadows Park (Local Recreation) — 0.7 mi, 339° N
Catawba River Soccer Complex (Local Park) — 0.7 mi, 261° W
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (Nature Reserve) — 0.9 mi, 053° NE
Freedom Park (Local Park) — 0.9 mi, 288° W
Historic Town Limits (Monument) — 1.1 mi, 068° E
North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Preserve (Conservation Area) — 2.2 mi, 007° N
Johns River Game Land (State Conservation Area) — 2.8 mi, 026° NE
South Mountains Game Land (State Conservation Area) — 4.2 mi, 177° S
South Mountains State Park (State Park) — 5.5 mi, 183° S
McGalliard Falls (Attraction) — 7.6 mi, 077° E
Lake James State Park (State Park) — 7.8 mi, 275° W
Wilson Creek, North Carolina Wild and Scenic River (Wild & Scenic River) — 9.6 mi, 356° N · 7,017 acres
Chestnut Knob Overlook (Viewpoint) — 9.8 mi, 160° S
Fonta Flora Covered Bridge (Public Artwork) — 10.0 mi, 293° NW
Pisgah National Forest (National Forest) — 10.1 mi, 343° N · 511k acres
Something Rotten (Attraction) — 10.8 mi, 275° W
Build a Fairy House (Attraction) — 10.9 mi, 275° W
Every Drop Goes a Long Way (Attraction) — 10.9 mi, 275° W
Linville Gorge Wilderness (Wilderness Area) — 11.1 mi, 301° NW · 12k acres
Veterans Memorial (Monument) — 12.6 mi, 076° E
Hickory Aviation Museum (Museum) — 17.4 mi, 090° E
Foothills Community Theatre (Theatre) — 17.8 mi, 257° W
Marion Train Depot (Museum) — 17.9 mi, 257° W
Historic Carson House (Museum) — 20.3 mi, 260° W
Catawba Science Center (Museum) — 20.5 mi, 091° E
Hickory Museum of Art (Gallery) — 20.6 mi, 091° E
Belk Centrum (Arts Centre) — 21.0 mi, 090° E
Anvil Arts Studio (Gallery) — 21.4 mi, 318° NW

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