Hickory, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hickory, North Carolina had a total population of 44,258, the 25th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $64,576, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hickory Quick Facts
How Hickory Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | 44,258 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $63,361 | $64,576 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $248,300 | $278,400 | +12.1% |
How Hickory Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Hickory Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Catawba County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 13,333 | $62,015 | 12.0% | $186,300 |
| Lake Norman of Catawba | 9,906 | $112,656 | 4.2% | $492,600 |
| St. Stephens | 9,457 | $60,394 | 16.3% | $213,300 |
| Conover | 8,580 | $65,972 | 15.7% | $271,300 |
| Long View | 5,011 | $46,739 | 11.3% | $157,300 |
| Mountain View | 3,982 | $71,792 | 20.4% | $222,500 |
| Maiden | 3,788 | $75,511 | 19.7% | $233,800 |
| Claremont | 1,922 | $66,667 | 7.0% | $255,300 |
| Catawba | 628 | $47,250 | 21.4% | $163,000 |
| Brookford | 390 | N/A | 19.0% | $131,300 |
Cities Similar to Hickory
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson | 48,370 | $52,485 | $210,700 | 24.5% | 23.0% |
| Monroe | 36,759 | $72,540 | $309,100 | 24.1% | 13.3% |
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | 22.9% | 19.7% |
| Salisbury | 35,825 | $53,716 | $242,500 | 29.9% | 26.3% |
| Indian Trail | 42,036 | $108,483 | $385,000 | 40.2% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Hickory is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Catawba County. The total population is 44,258. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hickory is 37.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hickory is $64,576. This is 11% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $278,400. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Hickory is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.2%.
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hickory, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hickory, North Carolina?
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of 44,258 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hickory, NC?
The median household income in Hickory is $64,576, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hickory, NC?
The poverty rate in Hickory is 17.1%. This means approximately 7,291 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hickory, North Carolina?
Hickory's population is 62.6% White, 13.0% Black, 15.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hickory, NC?
The median home value in Hickory is $278,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Hickory, North Carolina?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Hickory hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.