Burke County is located in the western part of North Carolina and is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Morganton.

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, which is elected by the citizens of Burke County. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for setting the county's budget, levying taxes, and making policy decisions.

The county is served by the Burke County Public Schools system, which consists of 15 elementary schools, five middle schools, and four high schools. The county is also home to several private schools.

The county is served by the Burke County Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for law enforcement and public safety. The county is also served by the Burke County Fire and Rescue Department, which provides fire protection and emergency medical services.

The county is home to several parks and recreation areas, including Lake James State Park, South Mountains State Park, and Catawba Meadows Park. The county is also home to several museums, including the Burke County History Museum and the Burke County Museum of Natural History.

For the most up-to-date and in-depth information, please check the public records links below.