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CITY

Hickory

North Carolina · 45,975 residents (2025 est.) · 31.893 sq mi
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The short version

Hickory has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $64,576. Population has grown 19% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $278,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
44,258
+19%since 2000
from 37,222 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,388 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 1,167 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.5
+8%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:45,975 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
27K32K36K41K46K1990201020202024Hickory
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$64,576
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,236 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,101
+64%since 2000
from $23,263 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.6%
+16.0 ptssince 2009
from 26.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.1%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.487
−5%since 2010
from 0.513 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade21.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$278,400
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $116,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,063
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $540 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
45.0% rent
Vacancy rate
9.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.1%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+38%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hickory on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic73.2%(27,245)
Black13.9%(5,181)
Hispanic / Latino7.7%(2,863)
Asian3.8%(1,426)
Other0%
Diversity Score52.7%(19,627)
2024
White, non-Hispanic62.6%(27,704)
Black13%(5,733)
Hispanic / Latino15.2%(6,709)
Asian4.8%(2,106)
Other4.5%(2,006)
Diversity Score70.5%(31,207)
Diversity Score
71
+34%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.1%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 28.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.0%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.2%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+89%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.3%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.9%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.2%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.5%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
9.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.2%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.9%
−69.8 ptssince 2013
from 80.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.6%
+11.6 ptssince 2017
from 76.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 84.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
10.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2016
from 11.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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HICKORY VS
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HICKORY VS
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HICKORY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Hickory, North Carolina?

Hickory, North Carolina has about 44,258 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hickory, North Carolina?

The typical household in Hickory, North Carolina earns about $64,576 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hickory, North Carolina expensive?

In Hickory, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $278,400, and the typical rent is about $1,063 a month.

How educated are people in Hickory, North Carolina?

About 37.1% of adults age 25 and over in Hickory, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hickory, North Carolina?

About 17.1% of people in Hickory, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hickory, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Hickory, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 15,921 residents, a change of about 56 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →