Hickory ZIP Codes — Catawba County, NC

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Hickory, North Carolina. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

117.72

sq mi land

3.88

sq mi water

828

area code

Hickory, NC ZIP code map

About Hickory, NC

Hickory, North Carolina, is a vibrant city located within the scenic Catawba County. Known for its rich history and community spirit, Hickory offers a blend of small-town charm and urban amenities. The city is a hub for furniture manufacturing and is often referred to as the 'Furniture Capital of the World.'

Location & geography

Hickory is situated in the western part of North Carolina, approximately 70 miles northwest of Charlotte and about 100 miles southeast of Asheville. The city spans a total land area of 117.72 square miles, complemented by a water area of 3.88 square miles. The terrain features the picturesque Catawba Valley and nearby waterways that enhance the natural landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Hickory is tightly interwoven with its industrial roots, particularly in furniture manufacturing and textiles, creating a robust local economy. Residents enjoy a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with numerous community events and cultural activities throughout the year. Daily life in Hickory is enriched by local parks, recreational facilities, and a vibrant arts scene.

Transportation

Hickory is well-served by major highways, including Interstate 40, which provides direct access to larger cities in the region. The nearest airport is the Hickory Regional Airport, offering general aviation services. Public transportation options include local transit services that aid residents in navigating the city.

History

Founded in the early 19th century, Hickory's growth was significantly influenced by the flourishing furniture industry, which remains a key aspect of its economy today. Over the years, notable events, such as the establishment of the Hickory Furniture Mart, have positioned the city as a premier destination for furniture shopping. Throughout its history, Hickory has developed a strong community identity centered around craftsmanship and innovation.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Hickory is that it hosts an annual event called the 'Hickory Music Factory,' which showcases local musical talent and promotes community engagement. Additionally, the city is home to the renowned Catawba Science Center, which offers educational programs and exhibits focused on natural science and global education.

ZIP codes for Hickory, NC (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28601	Hickory	Catawba	View map
28602	Hickory	Catawba	View map
28603	Hickory	Catawba	View map

Demographics & statistics

82,470

Population

39.6

Median age

$60,903

Median household income

$34,960

Per capita income

$195,000

Median home value

$858

Median monthly rent

66.5%

Home ownership

15.1%

Poverty rate

5.1%

Unemployment

25,295

Housing units

26.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

2,031

Under 5

2,055

2,112

5–9

2,138

2,688

10–14

2,721

2,799

15–19

2,832

2,939

20–24

2,974

5,551

25–34

5,618

4,626

35–44

4,682

5,458

45–54

5,524

2,903

55–59

2,938

2,634

60–64

2,666

4,477

65–74

4,531

2,063

75–84

2,088

707

85+

715

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	17,327	21.4%
18 and over	65,143	78.6%
65 and over	14,581	17.5%
Median age	39.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 71.1%

Black or African American 8.9%

Hispanic or Latino 5.9%

Two or more races 5.7%

Asian 4.5%

Other race 3.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	62,334	71.1%
Black or African American	7,775	8.9%
Hispanic or Latino	5,147	5.9%
Two or more races	5,013	5.7%
Asian	3,947	4.5%
Other race	3,163	3.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	238	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 5.5%

$10k–$15k 4.6%

$15k–$25k 9.4%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 19.1%

$75k–$100k 11.7%

$100k–$150k 15.9%

$150k–$200k 5.9%

$200k+ 5.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.5%
$10k–$15k	4.6%
$15k–$25k	9.4%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	19.1%
$75k–$100k	11.7%
$100k–$150k	15.9%
$150k–$200k	5.9%
$200k+	5.7%
Median income	$60,903

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.0%

$50k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 18.5%

$150k–$200k 18.5%

$200k–$300k 23.3%

$300k–$500k 17.9%

$500k–$1M 5.4%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$195,000
Median rent / month	$858
Owner occupied	66.5%
Renter occupied	33.5%
Vacant	9.1%
Single-family detached	66.9%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	9.0%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.50

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.5%
2010–2019	4.1%
2000–2009	12.6%
1990–1999	16.9%
1980–1989	15.2%
1970–1979	17.6%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	9.4%
1940–1949	5.0%
1939 or earlier	6.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	7.0%
2 bedrooms	31.0%
3 bedrooms	44.1%
4 bedrooms	13.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.1%
1 vehicle	30.9%
2 vehicles	37.2%
3 or more	27.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	24.0%
Electricity	67.9%
Propane / LP gas	2.2%
Fuel oil	3.4%
Wood	1.8%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	15,665	47.0%
Cohabiting couple	2,386	7.3%
Male householder, no spouse	6,167	18.7%
Female householder, no spouse	8,918	27.0%
Households with children under 18	9,879	30.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	10,527	31.8%
Average household size	2.45

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.4%	28.4%
Married	50.1%	45.3%
Separated	2.0%	2.8%
Widowed	3.2%	9.3%
Divorced	9.4%	14.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.8%

Some HS, no diploma 7.9%

HS graduate 28.5%

Some college, no degree 21.7%

Associate's degree 12.2%

Bachelor's degree 17.5%

Graduate / professional 8.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.4%
Bachelor's or higher	26.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	921	4.8%
Kindergarten	833	4.2%
Elementary school	7,543	41.7%
High school	4,434	23.6%
College / grad school	5,429	25.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 24.6%

Education & healthcare 19.5%

Retail trade 13.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Professional & management 7.4%

Other services 5.7%

Construction 5.5%

Transportation & utilities 4.7%

Public administration 3.3%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Information 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.6%
Service	14.8%
Sales & office	20.5%
Natural resources & construction	8.2%
Production & transportation	22.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.5%
Government	9.4%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.9%
Carpool	10.8%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.2

Poverty

All people 15.1%

Under 18 years 23.0%

18 and over 12.8%

Married-couple families 5.9%

Female-led households 28.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.1%
Retirement income	20.6%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.4%
High cholesterol	34.7%
Heart disease	7.0%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	26.8%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	34.3%
Fair or poor health	15.4%
Poor mental health	14.8%
Poor physical health	11.4%
No health insurance	18.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.4%
Visited dentist	62.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	16.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,585	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.0%
Under 18	4.0%
18–64 years	11.8%
65 and over	34.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.9%
Public insurance	36.3%
Uninsured under 19	6.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	78,384	94.9%
Spanish	3,206	3.9%
Other Indo-European	1,912	2.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	268	0.3%
Other languages	1,026	1.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	76,524	92.9%
Born in same state	75,893	92.2%
Born in different state	53,296	65.5%
Foreign born	631	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	5,946	7.2%
Not a US citizen	2,741	44.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	11,186	13.6%
French	10,168	12.3%
Italian	7,172	8.7%
English	1,139	1.4%
Polish	357	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	211	0.3%
Irish	197	0.2%
Dutch	145	0.2%
Norwegian	26	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.1%
Internet access	93.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Hickory, NC have?

Hickory, NC has two ZIP codes: 28601 and 28602. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.