What are the schools like in Hickory, NC?

Hickory is served primarily by Hickory City Schools. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.4:1.

What is the median household income in Hickory?

The median household income in Hickory, NC is $58,251 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.2%.

What is the weather like in Hickory, NC?

Hickory has an average high temperature of 49.1°F in January and 87.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 47.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.3 inches.

Hickory, NC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hickory, NC affordable or expensive?

Hickory's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hickory is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $233,800 and the median rent is $917 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hickory, NC?

Hickory has a violent crime rate of 407.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2824.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hickory, NC a Good Place to Live?

Hickory is a small city of 43,352 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $58,251 and a 6.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Hickory stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hickory is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hickory city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.2

Hickory's overall cost of living index is 89.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hickory costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hickory, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$233,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$917	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	53.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$58,251	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Hickory's violent crime rate is 407.3 per 100,000 residents — 7% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

407.3 /100k

Property Crime

2824.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Hickory is served primarily by Hickory City Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hickory, NC	National Avg
School District	Hickory City Schools	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	36.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	90.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hickory sees average highs of 49.1°F in January and 87.4°F in July, with 47.1 inches of annual precipitation and 0.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hickory, NC
Average High — January	49.1°F
Average High — July	87.4°F
Annual Precipitation	47.1"
Annual Snowfall	0.3"

Demographics

Metric	Hickory, NC	National Avg
Population	43,352	—
Median Age	37.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	69.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	13.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	8.6%	18.9%
Asian	4.0%	6.3%
Under 18	20.8%	22.2%
65 and over	16.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Brookford, NC 3 mi St. Stephens, NC 3 mi Long View, NC 4 mi Northlakes, NC 4 mi Mountain View, NC 5 mi

ZIP Codes in Hickory

Hickory, NC is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

28601 28602

Hickory vs Other Cities

Hickory, NC vs Brookford, NC Hickory, NC vs St. Stephens, NC Hickory, NC vs Long View, NC Hickory, NC vs Northlakes, NC Hickory, NC vs Mountain View, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hickory, NC affordable or expensive?

Hickory's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hickory roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $233,800 and median rent is $917/month.

What is the crime rate in Hickory, NC?

Hickory's violent crime rate is 407.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2824.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hickory?

Public schools in Hickory are operated by Hickory City Schools. The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. 36.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hickory, NC a good place to live?

Hickory, NC has a population of 43,352, a median household income of $58,251, and an unemployment rate of 6.2%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Hickory?

Hickory averages 49.1°F in January and 87.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 47.1 inches with about 0.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hickory?

Hickory, NC is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 28601, 28602.

What is the population of Hickory?

The population of Hickory, North Carolina is 43,352 with a median age of 37.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hickory?

Key numbers for living in Hickory: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $233,800, median household income $58,251, crime index 118 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hickory side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.