Hickory, NC — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Burke County · North Carolina
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Hickory based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
43,747
2023 ACS
Median Income
$63,361
2023
Median Home Value
$248,300
2023
Median Rent
$975
2023
Median Age
37.7
Unemployment
4.8%
Cost of Living Index
101.8
100 = national avg
Hickory is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, with a population of 43,747 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Hickory is one of the communities in North Carolina.
The median household income in Hickory is $63,361, and the median home value is $248,300. The cost of living index is 101.8 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $975 per month. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, and the median age is 37.7 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
43,747
Male
21,484
49.1%
Female
22,263
50.9%
Median Age
37.7
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
23.6%
High School or Higher
39.0%
Foreign Born
8.9%
Veterans
5.4%
Married
38.0%
Avg Household Size
2.4
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.485
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
68.3%
Foreign Born
8.9%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
13.9%
6,072 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
86.1%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
41,484
English Only
86.0%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
4,189 speakers
Limited English
5.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
95.0%
Limited English Proficiency
5.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
2,347
5.4% of population
Disability Rate
32.3%
759 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$50,841
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
2,145
91.4%
Female Veterans
202
8.6%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$50,841
Non-Veteran Income
$35,092
Difference
$15,749
44.9% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
759
Without Disability
1,588
Disability Rate
32.3%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
28,677
#1 Ancestry
English
15.3% (6,690)
#2 Ancestry
German
12.0% (5,252)
#3 Ancestry
American
10.3% (4,527)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
17,309
Family Households
10,484
60.6%
Married Couples
7,297
42.2%
Non-Family Households
6,825
39.4%
Single Mother Households
2,278
13.2%
Single Father Households
909
5.3%
Living Alone
5,489
31.7%
Children Under 18
Total Children
8,162
In Married Couple
4,684
57.4%
With Single Mother
2,658
32.6%
With Single Father
820
10.0%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$79,607
Married Couple Income
$105,759
Single Mother Income
$41,250
Single Father Income
$54,750
Avg Family Size
2.4
Avg Non-Family Size
2.3
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
669
Grandparents Responsible
208
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$63,361
-13% vs national
Per Capita Income
$36,266
-2% vs national
Poverty Rate
16.9%
+25% vs national
Gini Index
0.4837
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
4.8%
-8% vs national
SNAP Recipients
13.3%
of households
How Hickory Compares
Hickory vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Hickory is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Hickory, NC has a median household income of $63,361, making it the 14,946th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher median household income than 47% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Hickory, NC has a per capita income of $36,266, making it the 11,158th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher per capita income than 60% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Hickory, NC has a poverty rate of 16.9%, making it the 9,374th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher poverty rate than 70% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Hickory, NC has a unemployment rate of 4.8%, making it the 12,141st highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher unemployment rate than 61% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Hickory. The median household income here is $63,361.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
-17% vs NC avg
Labor Force
21,334
Employed
20,311
Mean Commute
18 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
23.6%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
39.0%
of adults 25+
Median Age
37.7
Work from Home
11.0%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area
Highest-Paying Job
General and Operations Managers
Top Median Wage
$91.0K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
101.8
100 = national avg
+1.8 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$44,778
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$105,840
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$908
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,095
per month
The median household income in Hickory, NC is $63,361, which is 13.5% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $36,266. The poverty rate of 16.9% is higher than the NC state average of 16.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4837, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, compared to the state average of 5.8%. The labor force is 21,334. 23.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 18 minutes, with 11.0% working from home. About 73.3% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 101.8, which is 1.8% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 112.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $44,778 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$330,000
Median List Price
$325,990
Price Per Sq Ft
$184
Days on Market
85
Active Inventory
238
Months of Supply
8.2
Buyer's market
Zillow Home Value
$285,783
ZHVI — January 2026
Zillow Rent Index
$1,401
ZORI — January 2026
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
6.9%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
33.9%
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.0%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
29
New Listings
63
Pending Sales
62
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$184
Median List $/SF
$191
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Hickory, NC? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, home prices have risen 393.5% over the past 40 years. Over 20 years, prices grew 124.3%. The 10-year growth rate is 118.2%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 64.9%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 11.1%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC housing market rather than Hickory alone.
Metro area: Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Hickory vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Hickory is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Hickory, NC has a median home value of $248,300, making it the 9,268th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher median home value than 67% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Hickory, NC has a median rent of $975, making it the 10,512th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher median rent than 53% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Hickory, NC has a price per square foot of $184, making it the 9,329th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher price per square foot than 55% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Hickory, NC has a rent burden of 18.5%, making it the 11,077th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Hickory has a higher rent burden than 49% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$248,300
Median Rent
$975
Total Housing Units
19,328
Vacancy Rate
10.4%
Owner Occupied
55.9%
Renter Occupied
44.1%
Median Property Tax
$1,904
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,070
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,904
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.77%
of home value
Median Home Value
$248,300
Estimated Mean Tax
$2,317
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,904) by the median home value ($248,300). In Hickory, NC, this works out to an effective rate of 0.77%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Hickory, NC is $330,000 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 85 days on the market. 6.9% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 8.2 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $184. Zillow's observed rent index is $1,401/month. About 55.9% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 1983. There are 19,328 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,904. The effective tax rate is 0.77%, below the national average.
Crime Overview
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)Violent Crime Rate
4.10
per 1,000 residents
+58% vs national
Property Crime Rate
28.24
per 1,000 residents
+64% vs national
Total Crimes
1,445
2024
Violent Clearance
43%
cases solved
Property Clearance
15%
cases solved
YoY Change
-17.4%
violent crime rate
improving vs 2023
How Hickory Compares
Source: FBI (2024)Hickory vs Similar Cities
Source: FBI (2024)Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Hickory is highlighted in green.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)
Murder Rate (per 1,000)
Crime Rate Trends
Source: FBICrime Composition
Source: FBI (2024)Violent Crime Breakdown
Property Crime Breakdown
Crime Clearance (Solve) Rates
Source: FBI (2024)Hickory police solve 200% of murder cases but only 9% of rape cases.
Weapon Used in Violent Crime
Source: FBI (2024)Crime Breakdown
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024)| Crime Type | Category | Count | Rate per 1K | Clearance % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Violent | 1 | 0.02 | 200.0% |
| Rape | Violent | 11 | 0.25 | 9.1% |
| Robbery | Violent | 25 | 0.56 | 32.0% |
| Aggravated Assault | Violent | 145 | 3.25 | 46.2% |
| Burglary | Property | 183 | 4.10 | 26.8% |
| Larceny/Theft | Property | 961 | 21.51 | 13.5% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | Property | 118 | 2.64 | 11.0% |
Hickory, NC reported 183 violent crimes and 1,262 property crimes in 2024. The violent crime rate of 4.10 per 1,000 residents is 57.5% above the national average of 2.60 per 1,000. Law enforcement cleared 43% of violent crimes. Larceny/theft accounts for 961 of the property crime reports. Firearms were involved in 57.9% of aggravated assaults. Violent crime has been trending downward.
Crime History
Source: FBI| Year | Violent | Property | Violent Rate | Property Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 183 | 1,262 | 4.10 | 28.24 |
| 2023 | 220 | 1,333 | 4.96 | 30.06 |
| 2022 | 231 | 1,533 | 5.28 | 35.04 |
| 2021 | 254 | 1,864 | 6.11 | 44.80 |
| 2020 | 224 | 1,724 | 5.42 | 41.74 |
| 2019 | 165 | 1,793 | 4.02 | 43.69 |
| 2018 | 178 | 1,884 | 4.37 | 46.29 |
| 2017 | 226 | 2,093 | 5.56 | 51.48 |
| 2016 | 165 | 1,953 | 4.08 | 48.30 |
| 2015 | 157 | 1,937 | 3.91 | 48.23 |
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
80.6
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
82.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
32.4
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
52.2
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
23
Public Assistance
$13.3M
Individual Assistance
$9.7M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
8 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Helene → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | $12.4M | $6.9M |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Oct 2022 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Eta → | Severe Storm | Mar 2021 | $296K | — |
| Hurricane Isaias → | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | $2.6M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Chestnut Knob Fire → | Fire | Nov 2016 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and… → | Flood | Sep 2013 | $90K | — |
| Severe Winter Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Feb 2010 | $71K | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ivan → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $27K | $1K |
| Tropical Storm Frances → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $306K | $79K |
| Severe Ice Storm → | Severe Ice Storm | Dec 2002 | $111K | — |
| Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Feb 1996 | — | — |
| Blizzard of 96 → | Snowstorm | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Mar 1993 | — | — |
| Hurricane Hugo → | Hurricane | Sep 1989 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 27 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
131
Total Claims Paid
$11,304,261
Avg Claim Payout
$86,292
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
6
Federal Funding
$1,042,855
Properties Protected
4
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.50
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 2 | $185,383 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 2 | $26,148 |
| 200.3: Acquisition of Public Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 1 | $745,004 |
| 100.1: Public Awareness and Education (Brochures, Workshops, Videos, etc.); 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 1 | $86,320 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Hickory has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are ice storm, tornado, earthquake. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (8 declarations). 131 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $13,287,147 in public assistance recovery funding. $9,678,806 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 6 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
38.0%
1.9pp above the national average
Depression Rate
25.6%
2.1pp above the national average
Diabetes Rate
12.5%
0.6pp above the national average
Uninsured Rate
11.5%
0.9pp above the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
37.3%
Arthritis
28.5%
Cancer (excl. skin)
8.7%
Teeth Lost (65+)
14.6%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
16.9%
14+ days in past month
Depression
25.6%
Loneliness
33.3%
Lack of Support
22.7%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
33.5%
Mobility
15.4%
Cognitive
15.7%
Hearing
8.1%
Vision
5.9%
Self-Care
4.4%
Independent Living
9.1%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Hickory has an obesity rate of 38.0%, which is 1.9pp above the national average. The depression rate is 25.6%, 2.1pp above the national average. About 11.5% of adults lack health insurance. 79.4% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
5
Avg CMS Rating
2.6 / 5
Nearest Hospital
2.2 mi
Frye Regional Medical Center
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frye Regional Medical Center | 2.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Catawba Valley Medical Center | 5.7 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
| Atrium Health Lincoln | 18.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Caldwell Memorial Hospital | 20.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 1/5 | Yes |
| Iredell Memorial Hospital Inc | 22.2 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 3/5 | Yes |
Climate & Environment
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
5
Pop. Served
95,049
Violations (5yr)
1
| System Name | Pop. Served | Violations (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| HICKORY CITY OF | 75,654 | 0 |
| ALEXANDER CO WTR DIST | 13,064 | 0 |
| SOUTHEAST CATAWBA COUNTY | 5,080 | 0 |
| CATAWBA, TOWN OF | 1,181 | 1 |
| KOOL PARK MHP | 70 | 0 |
There are 5 water systems serving the area. 1 water quality violation has been reported in the past 5 years.
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
18 min
-24% vs national
Drive Alone
73.3%
-7% vs national
Public Transit
0.1%
-88% vs national
Work From Home
11.0%
+18% vs national
Carpool
12.9%
Walk / Bike
1.5%
combined
How Hickory's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
Traffic Fatalities
Source: NHTSA FARS (2023)Fatalities
5
2023
6-Year Avg
4
fatalities/yr
Nighttime
5
dark conditions
| Year | Crashes | Fatalities | Alcohol | Pedestrian | Cyclist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Data from NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Includes only crashes involving at least one fatality.
The average commute in Hickory, NC is 18 minutes, which is 23.5% below the national average of 23 minutes. 73.3% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 11.0% work from home, which is above the NC state average of 9.4%. 12.9% of workers carpool. 1.3% walk to work. In 2023, there were 5 traffic fatalities from 3 fatal crashes.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
87.7%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
75.3%
of households
No Internet
8.6%
of households
Total Households
17,309
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
94.3%
of households
Smartphone
90.3%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
76.5%
of households
Tablet
60.2%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.1¢
per kWh
-26% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.6¢
per kWh
-32% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Industrial Rate
7.8¢
per kWh
-35% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$144
residential
-2% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
17% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in North Carolina averages 14.1¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $144. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Hickory vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (25,000 - 50,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
Water Systems
Source: EPA SDWISWater Systems
5
Population Served
95,049
Violations (5yr)
1
| System Name | Type | Source | Pop. Served | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HICKORY CITY OF | Community | Surface water | 75,654 | 0 |
| ALEXANDER CO WTR DIST | Community | Purchased surface water | 13,064 | 0 |
| SOUTHEAST CATAWBA COUNTY | Community | Purchased surface water | 5,080 | 0 |
| CATAWBA, TOWN OF | Community | Purchased surface water | 1,181 | 1 |
| KOOL PARK MHP | Community | Ground water | 70 | 0 |
87.7% of households in Hickory have broadband internet access. 75.3% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 9.9% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 8.6% of households have no internet access. 12.2% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop. The area is served by 5 water systems, providing water to 95,049 people. A total of 1 water quality violation has been recorded over the past 5 years.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Hickory is located in Burke County, NC. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Hickory.
Election Overview
Source: Burke County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
13,272
29.0%
GOP Votes
32,130
70.3%
Total Votes
45,733
Margin
R+41.2%
Shift from 2020
R+1.1pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,272 | 32,130 | 45,733 | 29.0% | 70.3% | R+41.2 |
| 2020 | 13,118 | 31,019 | 44,602 | 29.4% | 69.5% | R+40.1 |
| 2016 | 10,930 | 25,741 | 37,638 | 29.0% | 68.4% | R+39.4 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Burke County recorded 45,733 total votes. Republicans won the county with 70.3% of the vote compared to 29.0% for Democrats, a margin of R+41.2%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+1.1pp from the previous election. Since 2016, Burke County has shifted 1.9 percentage points toward Republicans.
Nonprofits Overview
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFTotal Nonprofits
360
Total Assets
$583.0M
Total Income
$291.9M
Per 10K Residents
82.3
nonprofits
+13.8% vs peers avg
Orgs with >$1M Assets
42
Median Assets
$381K
Oldest Active
1941
ruling year
Newest Org
2026
ruling year
Nonprofits by Category
Source: IRS / NTEE ClassificationTop 10 hold $442.0M of $583.0M total
Nonprofit Size Distribution
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFNumber of nonprofits by total asset size
When Were Nonprofits Founded?
Source: IRS Ruling DateNumber of currently active nonprofits by founding decade
Nonprofits per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: IRS BMF + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Largest Nonprofits in Hickory
Source: IRS Exempt Organizations BMFHickory, NC has 360 registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with combined assets of $583.0M. The most common category is Religion-Related, with 62 organizations. 42 nonprofits have assets exceeding $1 million. That works out to 82.3 nonprofits per 10,000 residents. The oldest active nonprofit dates back to 1941.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
405
Total Approved
$167.7M
Jobs Supported
3,487
Per 10K Residents
92.6
SBA loans
+23.1% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
84
Top Lender
First Horizon Bank
99 loans
Top Industry
Accommodation & Food Services
Data Span
1992–2026
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
364
Total Amount
$148.9M
Avg Loan
$408,997
Median Loan
$150,000
SBA Guaranteed
$107.5M(72%)
Jobs Supported
2,729
Loans
41
Total Amount
$18.8M
Avg Loan
$459,293
Median Loan
$291,000
Recent Activity (Last 5 Years)
Source: SBA FOIARecent Loans
61
15% of all-time total
Recent Amount
$58.5M
35% of all-time total
Avg Recent Loan
$958,757
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grasche U.s.a. Inc. | 1 | $5.0M |
| Mpm Hickory One Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Good's Home Furnishings | 2 | $5.0M |
| Star Hotels of Nc Llc | 1 | $5.0M |
| Jmj Advantage Group Llc | 2 | $4.9M |
| Katalyst Network Group Llc | 1 | $3.7M |
| Drs. Onekhena & Krisko P.a. | 1 | $3.5M |
| Invictus Fitness Hickory Llc | 1 | $3.2M |
| 88 Unlimited Llc | 2 | $2.4M |
| Hickory Heights Dental | 1 | $2.4M |
Hickory, NC has received 405 SBA loans totaling $167.7M in approved funding between 1992 and 2026. The 7(a) program accounts for 364 loans (90% of the total), supporting 2,729 jobs. The 504 program, focused on real estate and large equipment, has funded 41 loans totaling $18.8M. The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Accommodation & Food Services. The most active SBA lender in Hickory is First Horizon Bank with 99 loans. That works out to 92.6 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
9
Total Population
164,694
Avg Median Income
-$148,099,973
Avg Home Value
-$73,907,718
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28601 | 52,839 | $67,839 | $236,100 | $951 | 47.1 |
| 28602 | 29,273 | $56,031 | $180,300 | $830 | 70.7 |
| 28610 | 10,920 | $62,309 | $159,400 | $867 | 39.9 |
| 28613 | 23,486 | $55,690 | $208,400 | $822 | 42.4 |
| 28630 | 20,400 | $65,713 | $197,800 | $808 | 61.0 |
| 28637 | 1,512 | $58,190 | $189,400 | $734 | 2.6 |
| 28658 | 25,681 | $67,805 | $192,500 | $933 | 71.3 |
| 28666 | 301 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 |
| 28667 | 282 | N/A | $133,300 | $732 | 0.5 |
Hickory, NC has 9 ZIP codes with a combined population of 164,694. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is -$148,099,973. The average median home value is -$73,907,718. The average median monthly rent is -$74,073,332.
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