North Carolina · City Profile

Hickory, NC

ZIP codes
3
Population
82,470
Median income
$59,169
Median home value
$195,000

Hickory sits in Catawba, North Carolina, and is covered by 3 ZIP code tabulation areas. Across those ZIPs, an estimated 82,470 people live, work, and commute. Demographic and housing figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2018–2022).

Each ZIP code in Hickory has its own character. Some are dense and walkable; others are exurban or rural, with single-digit households per square mile. The list below lets you compare the basic shape of each one — population, income, and home value — before clicking through to the full neighborhood profile.

Across the city overall, the typical owner-occupied home is valued near $195,000 and median asking rent runs around $857 per month. Median household income hovers around $59,169. These are averages of ZIP-level medians and will read differently depending on which neighborhood you actually settle in — which is precisely what the per-ZIP pages are for.

ZIP codes in Hickory

ZIPCountyPopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
28601 Catawba 53,172 $65,158 $223,100
28602 Catawba 29,298 $53,180 $166,900
28603 Catawba 0

Thinking about relocating to Hickory?

A few practical considerations as you evaluate the move:

  • Pick the ZIP, not just the city. Median income, school assignments, walkability and crime patterns can vary dramatically between neighboring ZIPs in the same city. Use the per-ZIP pages to compare.
  • Compare housing math honestly. The median home value here is $195,000, and median rent is $857. At current mortgage rates, that often makes renting the more flexible option for the first 12–24 months while you learn the neighborhoods.
  • Verify the commute. Drive your prospective work or school route at peak time — Google Maps optimistic estimates rarely match what locals actually experience.
  • Check the boring stuff. Property tax rates, HOA dues, flood-zone designation, and homeowner's insurance availability are easier to research before you sign than after.