| City: | Hickory, North Carolina |
| Names to Avoid: | Bethlehem, Lenoir Rhyne, Longview, View Mont |
| Counties: | Catawba County[Primary] Alexander County Burke County Caldwell County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:24:32 PM |
| Population: | 53,973 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 828 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 35.7804, -81.3365 |
| Land Area: | 47.063 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 28601 has 53,973 residents and 22,369 households (average 2.34 persons per household). The median age is 42.0 years, slightly older than the state (39.4) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.8% male and 52.2% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (74.5%, much higher than the state average of 62.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (11.8%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 11.8%, which is lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 53,973Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 52,839Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 57,716Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1,146.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $67,839Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 22,369Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $236,100Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.34Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.05Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 50,445 | 49,304 | 48,428 | 48,619 | 48,910 | 49,179 | 50,316 | 51,706 | 51,401 | 50,265 | 52,423 | 53,172 | 52,839 |
| Decennial Census | 50,026 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 53,973 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 42
Male Median Age: 40.5
Female Median Age: 43.3
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,382 | 1,447 | 1,746 | 1,845 | 1,628 | 1,646 | 1,514 | 1,516 | 1,510 | 1,686 | 1,738 | 1,895 | 1,703 | 1,437 | 1,282 | 879 | 522 | 398 |
| Female | 1,328 | 1,511 | 1,635 | 1,895 | 1,742 | 1,669 | 1,587 | 1,652 | 1,628 | 1,778 | 1,837 | 1,894 | 1,914 | 1,673 | 1,627 | 1,178 | 781 | 870 |
| Total | 2,710 | 2,958 | 3,381 | 3,740 | 3,370 | 3,315 | 3,101 | 3,168 | 3,138 | 3,464 | 3,575 | 3,789 | 3,617 | 3,110 | 2,909 | 2,057 | 1,303 | 1,268 |
| White: | 40,222 | 71.58% |
| Black: | 3,906 | 6.95% |
| Hispanic:* | 6,348 | 11.30% |
| Asian: | 2,054 | 3.66% |
| American Indian: | 372 | 0.66% |
| Hawaiian: | 22 | 0.04% |
| Other: | 3,264 | 5.81% |
| Total: | 56,188 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 25,774 | 47.75% | 40.5 years |
| Females: | 28,199 | 52.25% | 43.3 years |
| Total: | 53,973 | 100% | 42.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 48,414 | 91.63% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 418 | 0.79% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 1,840 | 3.48% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2,167 | 7.58% |
| Total Population: | 52,839 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 48,832 | 92.42% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 4,007 | 7.58% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $67,839, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $23,409 (52.7%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $13,768. Family households earn a median of $84,707 versus $37,473 for nonfamily households (a difference of $47,234). By gender, male median income is $55,628 and female is $47,369, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $8,259 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 60.8%, which is trails slightly the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is better than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (39.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $44,430 | $44,518 | $46,330 | $47,310 | $46,758 | $46,637 | $49,168 | $50,821 | $54,071 | $55,856 | $60,277 | $65,158 | $67,839 |
| Median Family Income | $57,175 | $58,004 | $59,698 | $58,330 | $59,042 | $59,882 | $63,685 | $64,545 | $69,144 | $73,419 | $76,593 | $83,053 | $84,707 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $27,072 | $27,117 | $27,360 | $28,750 | $28,575 | $27,392 | $27,366 | $27,850 | $29,118 | $31,413 | $33,676 | $38,469 | $37,473 |
| Median Male Income | $42,549 | $43,799 | $42,941 | $42,158 | $41,395 | $41,398 | $41,818 | $42,276 | $46,276 | $49,216 | $50,213 | $55,292 | $55,628 |
| Median Female Income | $31,416 | $31,839 | $31,749 | $31,751 | $32,039 | $33,714 | $35,207 | $36,650 | $38,341 | $40,398 | $43,309 | $45,173 | $47,369 |
| Employed: | 25,408 | 58.37% |
| Unemployed: | 1,057 | 2.43% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 17,067 | 39.21% |
| Total: | 43,532 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 10,037 | 39.50% |
| Service: | 3,123 | 12.29% |
| Sales and Office: | 5,083 | 20.01% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,777 | 6.99% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 5,388 | 21.21% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 25,408 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $236,100, which is well under the national median ($303,400), is up $87,900 (59.31%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $71,000. The median gross rent is $951, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,348), is up $320 (50.71%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $213. Of occupied housing, owners make up 68.14% (63.37% with a mortgage, 36.63% free-and-clear) and renters 31.86% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 9.21%, which is far lower than the state rate (13.05%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $148,200 | $148,100 | $152,500 | $152,900 | $151,300 | $154,900 | $158,700 | $163,300 | $165,100 | $177,800 | $186,900 | $223,100 | $236,100 |
| Less than $500: | 376 | 5.55% |
| $500 to $999: | 3,207 | 47.38% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 2,325 | 34.35% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 388 | 5.73% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 80 | 1.18% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 9 | 0.13% |
| $3,000 or more: | 85 | 1.26% |
| No Rent: | 299 | 4.42% |
| Total: | 6,769 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $631 | $647 | $676 | $685 | $669 | $672 | $683 | $719 | $738 | $763 | $808 | $892 | $951 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 9,173 | 43.18% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 5,302 | 24.96% |
| Renter Occupied: | 6,769 | 31.86% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 21,244 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 21,244 | 90.79% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 2,156 | 9.21% |
| Total Housing Units: | 23,400 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 16,211 | 69.28% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 5,751 | 24.58% |
| Other Units: | 1,438 | 6.15% |
| Total Housing Units: | 23,400 | 100% |
In 2023, 34.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 90.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 10.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 8.20%, which is on par with the state rate (9.40%), up 0.30 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.60 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (35.92%). College enrollment is 30.30%, which is well above the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,587 | 4.37% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2,051 | 5.65% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 8,456 | 23.31% |
| Some college, no degree: | 7,650 | 21.09% |
| Associate's degree: | 3,959 | 10.91% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 8,185 | 22.56% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 4,387 | 12.09% |
| Total: | 36,275 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 32,637 | 89.97% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 12,572 | 34.66% |
| Private Insurance: | 35,006 | 59.29% |
| Public Insurance: | 18,718 | 31.70% |
| No Insurance: | 5,321 | 9.01% |
| Total: | 59,045 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 53,724 | 90.99% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 7.9% | 9.8% | 9.3% | 11.0% | 11.1% | 12.4% | 11.0% | 10.5% | 9.8% | 9.5% | 7.6% | 8.2% | 8.2% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 615 | 4.94% |
| Kindergarten: | 575 | 4.62% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 4,473 | 35.92% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 3,017 | 24.23% |
| College or graduate school: | 3,774 | 30.30% |
| Total: | 12,454 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 1,190 | 9.56% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 8,065 | 64.76% |
ZIP Code 28601 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 1,368 business establishments, employing about 24,272 people with an annual payroll of $1,247,412,000. USPS data shows 24,665 residential mailboxes and 1,529 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 24,665Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1,529Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 25,896Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 16,715Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 2,003Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 1,368Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $315,446,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,247,412,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 24,272Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 28601 is located in Catawba County, North Carolina, within the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 25860) and North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 366,972 people, about 14.71% of whom live in ZIP Code 28601. It covers 47.063 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.416 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NCSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 25860Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 366,972Source: Census |
| MSA: | Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 47.063 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.416 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 10Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 2575.16 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3731060Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Hickory city; North CarolinaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 28601 is part of 3 school districts, including: Burke County Schools (Grades PK thru 12), Catawba County Schools (Grades PK thru 12) and Hickory City Schools (Grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 12 public schools and 5 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.