Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Hickory, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

44,258

Median Agei

37.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

62.6%27,704

Hispanic/Latino

15.2%6,709

Black

13%5,733

Asian

4.8%2,106

Two or More

4.1%1,831

Other

0.3%138

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%37

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.5%1,036

High School Diploma

18.5%5,394

Some College (<1 yr)

6.8%1,997

Some College (1+ yr)

13.2%3,864

Associate's Degree

10.8%3,155

Bachelor's Degree

23.9%6,976

Master's Degree

8%2,346

Professional Degree

3.5%1,028

Doctorate

1.6%469

HS or Higher

90%

BA or Higher

37.1%

Graduate+

13.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$278,400

Median Renti

$1,063

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

55%9,922

Renter-Occupied

45%8,120

Total Units

19,955

Homeownership

55%

Vacancy Rate

9.6%

Home Values

Under $50K

4.2%412

$50K–$100K

3.6%356

$100K–$150K

9.4%929

$150K–$200K

11.4%1,130

$200K–$300K

25.9%2,574

$300K–$500K

30.9%3,067

$500K–$1M

13.9%1,375

$1M+

0.8%79

Rent Distribution

Under $500

784

$500–$750

1,144

$750–$1,000

1,581

$1,000–$1,250

1,781

$1,250–$1,500

1,315

$1,500–$2,000

995

$2,000+

322

Year Built

2020 or later

1.7%342

2010–2019

6.2%1,247

2000–2009

14.3%2,863

1990–1999

14.3%2,859

1980–1989

16.8%3,353

1970–1979

14.5%2,886

1960–1969

8.4%1,673

1950–1959

10.2%2,026

1940–1949

4.9%975

1939 or earlier

8.7%1,731

Heating Fuel

Electricity

61.2%11,042

Utility Gas

35.1%6,340

Fuel Oil

1.6%287

Bottled/LP Gas

0.9%171

Other

0.5%94

No Fuel

0.5%89

Wood

0.1%19

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$64,576

Mean Household Incomei

$91,758

Per Capita Incomei

$38,101

Poverty Ratei

16.5%

Unemploymenti

3.8%

Labor Forcei

21,430

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.4%1,148

$10K–$15K

4.5%812

$15K–$20K

3.3%594

$20K–$25K

4.2%753

$25K–$30K

3.6%647

$30K–$35K

3.7%673

$35K–$40K

4.5%803

$40K–$45K

4.8%861

$45K–$50K

5.7%1,028

$50K–$60K

6.7%1,202

$60K–$75K

10.2%1,840

$75K–$100K

12.3%2,212

$100K–$125K

9.2%1,663

$125K–$150K

5.5%998

$150K–$200K

7.5%1,362

$200K+

8%1,446

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,191

Residentsi

2,050

Avg. Tenant Renti

$354/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

12 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers687 homes59% occupied$405/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8503 homes85% occupied$285/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC1 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $64,576/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $19K/yr

71.4%

Very low income$19K–$32K/yr

25%

Low income$32K–$52K/yr

3.6%

Who Receives This Housing

76.5% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

61% of subsidized households are minority

19.5% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

36.3% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

4,2599.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

1,606

United Kingdom

431

Guatemala

289

Philippines

India

Korea

Germany

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

20,242

Avg. Commutei

21.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

20,616

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,149(6.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

89.1%Insured

10.9%Uninsured

Hickory, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026