Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
24%
Over 65
21%
Hickory
Hickory, NC Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,164
Population
43,844
Renter Mix
47% Rent
A tradition of innovation and craftsmanship.
Innovation
•
Development
•
Nature
•
Outdoors
•
Active
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Located in western North Carolina, Hickory combines small-town hospitality with metropolitan conveniences. The city's "Life Well Crafted" motto comes to life through cultural attractions like the Hickory Museum of Art, the Western Piedmont Symphony, and numerous parks. Union Square anchors downtown Hickory, where locally-owned shops and restaurants create a welcoming atmosphere for community gatherings and events. The rental market offers diverse options from newer developments in the northwest area to established properties near Lenoir-Rhyne University. One-bedroom apartments currently rent for $1,127, with a 3.7% annual increase, making Hickory an affordable alternative to larger North Carolina metropolitan areas.
The city's legacy of furniture craftsmanship has expanded into a broader economic base. Situated along Interstate 40, approximately 60 miles northwest of Charlotte, Hickory provides convenient access to big-city amenities. The Oakwood District showcases well-preserved historic architecture, while the Viewmont neighborhood offers established retail centers and restaurants. Lake Hickory's extensive shoreline provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and waterfront recreation. The area has also become a technology hub, with several major data centers in the region. The city's community spirit is reflected in its history, particularly during the 1944 polio epidemic when residents came together to build an emergency hospital in just 54 hours, an event known as the "Miracle of Hickory."
Explore the City
Residents frequent the shops in Downtown Hickory.
There is always a big turn out at local events.
Rivers and forests provide ample space to enjoy nature.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$55,510
Average: $76,335
Education
12,145
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
20,707
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Hickory has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
47%
Non-Renters
53%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
23%
Other Education
77%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Hickory, NC is $821 for a studio, $1,163 for one bedroom, $1,373 for two bedrooms, and $1,641 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Hickory has increased by 1.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,163/month
724 Sq Ft
House
$1,958/month
1,447 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,517/month
1,092 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Hickory, NC is 6.6% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Hickory is 13.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $821 - $1,641. You can expect to pay 1.9% more for groceries, 7.8% less for utilities, and 5.1% less for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Hickory, NC is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
20
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
589 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
457 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
341 Students
Public
Grades K-5
686 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
479 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
631 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
480 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
400 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
1,265 Students
Catawba Valley Early College High School
Public
Grades 9-12
352 Students
Public
Grades PK & 9-12
1,014 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Catawba Science Center
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Top Apartments in Hickory
Houses for Rent in Hickory
Property Management Companies in Hickory, NC
Advanced Precision Group LLC
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82
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11,827
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60
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Lat Purser & Associates, Inc.
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2,143
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10
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Kinley Residential
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12
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756
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7
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Cushman & Wakefield
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459
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109,207
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228
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Redwood Living
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145
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19,143
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116
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Fogelman Properties
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71
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21,447
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43
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1 Community in Hickory
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.