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Hickory, NC
City in Catawba County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28601, 28602.
Population
44,258
Land area
32.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,370
ZIP codes
2
Hickory and its ZIP codes
Hickory at a glance
- Hickory is about 6.2 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 25th among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $64,576, 11% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $278,400 (4% below North Carolina) and median rent is $1,063 a month.
Local data for Hickory, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals2
- Emergency Rooms2
- Nursing Homes4
- Schools15
- Colleges2
- Libraries3
- Banks19
- Post Offices3
- Parks27
- Grocery Stores25
- Restaurants311
- Affordable Housing5
- Home Health Agencies4
- Dialysis Centers3
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals2
- Community Health Centers18
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment8
- Private Schools5
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities11
- Historic Places17
Housing and community stats
Hickory, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$64,576
Poverty rate
17.1%
Median home value
$278,400
Median rent
$1,063/mo
Homeownership
55.0%
Bachelor's or higher
37.1%
Median age
37.5
Average commute
21.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (5,382), Mexican Americans (3,360), Irish Americans (3,351).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Catawba County. PPP loans are for Hickory.
Unemployment rate
3.1%
Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$59,014
89,369 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$60,366
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$1.2B
FY 2026, $7,388 per person
PPP loans
$113M
1,211 loans, 14,510 jobs reported
How people get to work
Hickory, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.3%
- Carpooled13.1%
- Public transit0.1%
- Walked0.9%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.5%
- Worked from home12.9%
Average one-way commute: 21.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Hickory, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
648
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
207
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 30°F
47.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone17 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Hickory, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.0%
U.S. 33.3% +4.7 pts
Diabetes
12.5%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
14.4%
U.S. 12.8% +1.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.5%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
ZIP codes in Hickory
2 in or overlapping Hickory. Population shown
Cities near Hickory
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| BrookfordTown | 2.6 mi | 0.6 |
| NorthlakesCensus-designated place | 3.3 mi | 1.5 |
| Long ViewTown | 3.4 mi | 4 |
| St. StephensCensus-designated place | 4.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Mountain ViewCensus-designated place | 4.2 mi | 4.7 |
| ConoverCity | 5.1 mi | 11.5 |
| HildebranTown | 5.1 mi | 2.8 |
| BethlehemCensus-designated place | 6 mi | 7.6 |
| RhodhissTown | 6.2 mi | 1.2 |
| Granite FallsTown | 7 mi | 4.9 |
| NewtonCity | 7.5 mi | 13.8 |
| IcardCensus-designated place | 7.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Connelly SpringsTown | 9.6 mi | 5 |
| SawmillsTown | 9.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ClaremontCity | 10 mi | 2.9 |
| MaidenTown | 11 mi | 6.6 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Hickory, NC in?
- Hickory is in Catawba County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Hickory, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Hickory include 28601, 28602.
- What is the population of Hickory, NC?
- About 44,258 people live in Hickory, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Hickory?
- Nearby places include Brookford (2.6 mi), Northlakes (3.3 mi), Long View (3.4 mi), St. Stephens (4.1 mi), Mountain View (4.2 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023