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CITY · 2020 ACS

Hickory

North Carolina · 43,490 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 $48,653. Population has grown 17% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $189,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
43,490
+17%since 2000
from 37,222 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,364 / sq mi
+17%since 2000
from 1,167 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.0
+18%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
27K32K36K41K46K1990201020202024Hickory
202444K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$48,653
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,236 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,197
+30%since 2000
from $23,263 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
33.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.9%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade21.3%
US avg: 10%
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$189,100
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $116,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$771
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $540 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
51.8%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
48.2% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+24%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic64.6%(28,099)
Black13.6%(5,920)
Hispanic / Latino12.8%(5,573)
Asian3.8%(1,659)
Other2.5%(1,093)
Diversity Score65.1%(28,300)
Diversity Score
65
+23%since 2000
from 53 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 28.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.0%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 79.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
12.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+76%since 2000
from 11.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.3%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.6%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 62.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
40.0%
−23.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
Female
52.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.8% in 2009
Foreign born
9.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.5%
−69.2 ptssince 2013
from 80.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Hickory to nearby cities

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Income$60,394+24%
Home value$213,300+13%
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HICKORY VS
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HICKORY VS
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Home value$186,300−1%
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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 43,490 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Hickory, North Carolina earns about $48,653 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 $189,100, and the typical rent is about $771 a month.

How educated are people in Hickory, North Carolina?

About 35.0% 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 16.9% 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 15,153 residents, a change of about 53 percent over that period.

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

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