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Hickory

#2 in Best Places to Live in Catawba County
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • Town in North Carolina
  • 130 reviews
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      B+
    2. Crime & Safety
      C
    3. Housing
      B-
    4. Nightlife
      B+
    5. Good for Families
      B+
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B-
    8. Weather
      B+
    9. Cost of Living
      B+
    10. Health & Fitness
      B
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A-
    12. Commute
      B
    View Full Report Card
    Hickory is a town in North Carolina with a population of 40,157. Hickory is in Catawba County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Hickory offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Hickory there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Hickory and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Hickory are above average.
    Population
    40,157

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $163,700
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $687
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      45%
    • Own
      55%
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    Hickory Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      373.9
      282.7
    • Murder
      19.7
      6.1
    • Rape
      37.3
      40.7
    • Robbery
      132.8
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      799.4
      500.1
    • Theft
      3,911.2
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      437.9
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      12%
    • 10-17 years
      10%
    • 18-24 years
      11%
    • 25-34 years
      13%
    • 35-44 years
      12%
    • 45-54 years
      12%
    • 55-64 years
      13%
    • 65+ years
      16%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      11%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      20%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      30%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      25%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      14%
      13%

    Working in Hickory

    Jobs
    B-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $44,366
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Hickory
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    Hickory Reviews

    130 reviews
    All Categories
    Hickory City has great diversity, jobs, and opportunities for everyone. Hickory has a lot of festivals which are usually held downtown or at the fairgrounds near the Hickory race track. Lenoir-Rhyne University is located near Hickory High School and the two schools have a lot of programs where they collaborate with each other, which gives the High School students a chance to see what college life is like and also gives the college students a break from the stress of college life. The city of Hickory also allows one to have a small town feel on one side, but the big city feel on another! Hickory has 2 large hospitals, employing lots of healthcare individuals. Hickory also is known for our textile and furniture business. The job opportunities are honestly endless. Hickory is growing, and I love being able to watch new businesses take off here. Hickory definitely gives you that "home" feeling.
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    Hickory is divided into two dominant areas (north west and south west hickory). North west Hickory is predominantly a Caucasian dominated area with three elementary schools and a middle school assignment to it. South west Hickory is a minority populated area with predominantly black residents, two elementary schools, and one middle school. Within Hickory, the racial tension began in the Jim Crow area with the segregated Ridgeview neighborhood for black people. Since then, the areas closer to Ridgeview have poor resources, a mass of government housing, and little opportunity for success. I was greatly affected by the resource distribution for the elementary schools because the south west assigned schools are much poorer and do not offer accelerated programs or proper materials for their students. Hickory has improved in reaching out to these minority students that do not receive the same opportunities as their wealthier peers that are "privileged" to live in North Hickory.
    Hickory allows one to have the small town feel on one side, but the big city feel on another! Hickory has 2 large hospitals, employing lots of healthcare individuals. Hickory also is known for our textile and furniture business. The job opportunities are honestly endless. Hickory is growing, and I love being able to watch new businesses take off here. There is a lot to offer food wise- anything from comfort food to foreign cuisine. There are also bars, parks, and walking trails. Hickory definitely gives you that "home" feeling.