Living in Hickory, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Hickory · Census data 2020–2024
Hickory has 44,258 residents with a median age of 37.5. The median household income is $64,576 (11% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $278,400, the median rent is $1,063/month.
Hickory at a glance
- Population
- 44,258
- Median age
- 37.5State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $64,576State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $278,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,063/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 55%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 37.1%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Hickory a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%.
Cons: Median household income 11% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 17.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Hickory
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Hickory the median home value is $278,400, 16% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,063 per month, which is 26% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,470 a month in housing costs.
Hickory median household income
The median household income in Hickory is $64,576 and the income per person is $38,101. 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Hickory: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 19,955
- Owner-occupied
- 55%
- Renter-occupied
- 45%
- Vacant
- 9.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.36
Hickory demographics
- Population
- 44,258
- Median age
- 37.5
- Under 18
- 21.3%
- 65 and older
- 17.1%
- Households
- 18,042
- Foreign-born
- 9.6%
- Veterans
- 6.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Hickory ›
Education in Hickory
37.1% of adults 25 and older in Hickory have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 13.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Hickory
- Unemployment rate
- 3.8%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 12.9%
- Drive alone
- 72.3%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.6%
Hickory vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | 44,258 | $64,576 | $278,400 | $1,063 |
| St. Stephens | 9,457 | $60,394 | $213,300 | $958 |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | $157,300 | $794 |
| Northlakes | 1,716 | $101,250 | $366,500 | — |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | $222,500 | $956 |
| Bethlehem | 4,101 | $87,795 | $327,000 | $795 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | $809 |
| Conover | 8,580 | $65,972 | $271,300 | $898 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | $134,700 | $846 |
More for people moving to Hickory
Hickory ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Hickory: FAQ
What is the median household income in Hickory, NC?
The median household income in Hickory is $64,576, 11% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Hickory?
The median home value in Hickory is $278,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Hickory?
The median gross rent in Hickory is $1,063 per month, about 26% of household income.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 4% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 3.8%. Minuses: median household income 11% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 17.1%.
What is the median age in Hickory?
The median age in Hickory is 37.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Hickory?
The average commute to work in Hickory is 21 minutes; 12.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Hickory?
The unemployment rate in Hickory is 3.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Hickory?
37.1% of adults in Hickory have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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