Utilities & Infrastructure in Hickory, NC

Water systems, internet access, and utility services

Internet & Broadband Access

Source: Census ACS

Broadband 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

Cable, Fiber, or DSL

75.3%

Cellular Data Plan

82.8%

Satellite

4.3%

Cellular Only (no wired)

9.9%

No Internet Access

8.6%

Device Ownership

Source: Census ACS

Has Computer

94.3%

of households

Smartphone

90.3%

of households

Desktop / Laptop

76.5%

of households

Tablet

60.2%

of households

Any Computing Device

94.3%

Smartphone

90.3%

Desktop / Laptop

76.5%

Tablet

60.2%

Smartphone Only

12.2%

No Computer

5.8%

Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).

Water Systems

Source: EPA SDWIS

Water Systems

Population Served

95,049

Violations (5yr)

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.