Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metro Area

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · Metro Area

368,316Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (3 central, 1 outlying), part of the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $62,787
Median home value: $215,600
Land area: 1,639 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Catawba County, NC	Central	163,573	$67,864	$241,600
Burke County, NC	Central	87,795	$58,592	$185,400
Caldwell County, NC	Central	80,536	$56,425	$192,200
Alexander County, NC	Outlying	36,412	$65,354	$211,800

Largest cities and towns

32 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Hickory, NC	City	44,258	$64,576
Lenoir, NC	City	18,299	$49,910
Morganton, NC	City	17,646	$51,355
Newton, NC	City	13,333	$62,015
Lake Norman of Catawba, NC	CDP	9,906	$112,656
St. Stephens, NC	CDP	9,457	$60,394
Conover, NC	City	8,580	$65,972
Sawmills, NC	Town	5,042	$71,067
Long View, NC	Town	5,011	$46,739
Granite Falls, NC	Town	4,929	$56,917
Valdese, NC	Town	4,704	$50,740
Bethlehem, NC	CDP	4,101	$87,795
Mountain View, NC	CDP	3,982	$71,792
Maiden, NC	Town	3,788	$75,511
Hudson, NC	Town	3,772	$65,268
Gamewell, NC	Town	3,689	$46,556
Cajah's Mountain, NC	Town	2,704	$53,361
Connelly Springs, NC	Town	2,427	$54,620
Salem, NC	CDP	2,377	$68,988
Hildebran, NC	Town	2,207	$55,703
Taylorsville, NC	Town	2,201	$39,423
Icard, NC	CDP	2,153	$44,641
Drexel, NC	Town	2,146	$61,992
Glen Alpine, NC	Town	1,991	$69,697
Claremont, NC	City	1,922	$66,667

Also in the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC combined area

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · metro · 2,768,407 Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC · micro · 100,991 Albemarle, NC · micro · 64,651 Marion, NC · micro · 44,817

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Unemployment

4.3%

College Educated

22.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$62,787

Mean Household Income

$83,592

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.7%

Female

50.3%

Population Split

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German13.8%

English13.4%

Irish9.2%

Mexican4.3%

Scottish2.6%

Italian2.0%

Polish1.2%

French1.2%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

5.3%Foreign Born

94.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized48.1%

Non-Citizen51.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later23.3%

Before 201076.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

167,096

Median Rent

$869/mo

Median Home Value

$215,600

Median Year Built

1983

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

75,266

College Enrollment

17.7%

High School

24.2%

College Educated

22.3%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

24.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

81.6%

Public Transit

0.1%

Work From Home

7.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.3%

18-34 Years

19.9%

35-64 Years

39.5%

65+ Years

20.3%

Population Composition

Under 1820.3%

18-3419.9%

35-6439.5%

65+20.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.0%

Single Parent

6.0%

Living Alone

28.0%

Avg Size

2.41

Household Types

Married Couples49.0%

Single Parent6.0%

Living Alone28.0%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$34,781

SNAP Usage

13.2%

Health Insurance

89.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k17.9%

$25k - $50k22.1%

$50k - $100k31.9%

$100k+28.2%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

23.9%

Retail Trade

11.9%

Education & Health Care

20.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

16.4%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

89.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

86.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

92.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

88.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

142.2

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

How can this information help me in marketing?

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Largest cities and towns

Also in the Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC combined area

Demographic Rates

Race & Ethnicity

Income Profile

Income Distribution

Sex Distribution

Population Split

Ancestry

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

Citizenship Status

Period of Entry

Housing Characteristics

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Education Enrollment

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Transportation & Commute

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Age Distribution

Population Composition

Household Composition

Household Types

Economic Profile

Household Income Breakdown

Key Industries

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

Health Insurance Coverage

Technology Access

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Housing Affordability