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CITY · 2010 ACS

Hickory

North Carolina · 40,010 residents · 31.893 sq mi
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The short version

Hickory has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,289. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $154,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 37.2
Average education
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
40,010
+7%since 2000
from 37,222 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,255 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 1,167 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
37.7
+9%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
27K32K36K41K46K1990201020202024Hickory
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,289
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,236 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,145
+12%since 2000
from $23,263 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
25.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.513
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.8%
US avg: 10.9%
Information12%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$154,400
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $116,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$610
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $540 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
37.8%
−17.2 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
45.9% rent
Vacancy rate
11.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
44.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.1
+32%since 2000
from 3.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic69.4%(27,750)
Black14.1%(5,638)
Hispanic / Latino11.4%(4,544)
Asian3.1%(1,255)
Other2.3%(912)
Diversity Score60.9%(24,355)
Diversity Score
61
+15%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 28.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
82.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
9.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.6 min
+66%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
84.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
8.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.0%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
35.4%
−28.2 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
54.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
9.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.5%
−35.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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Compare Hickory to nearby cities

HICKORY VS
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Income$60,394+62%
Home value$213,300+38%
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HICKORY VS
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Home value$271,300+76%
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HICKORY VS
Newton
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Home value$186,300+21%
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HICKORY VS
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Home value$179,400+16%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Hickory, North Carolina?

Hickory, North Carolina has about 40,010 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Hickory, North Carolina earns about $37,289 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 $154,400, and the typical rent is about $610 a month.

How educated are people in Hickory, North Carolina?

About 29.2% 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 17.4% 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 11,673 residents, a change of about 41 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 →