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NC area data

Hickory, NC

Aggregated across 2 ZIP codes in Hickory.

Population: 84,442 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Hickory, NC is $282,073 — up 1.9% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $408,750 after a median 51 days on market. Typical rent runs $1,493/month. 17 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with icestorm, lightning, inlandflooding the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 7.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$282,073

Median home value

+1.9%

1-year change

51

Median days on market

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$282,073
1-year appreciation
+1.9%
3-year appreciation
+9.1%
5-year appreciation
+31.5%
10-year appreciation
+112.8%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$282,891
House Price Index (state)
438.2 (+1.0% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$408,750
Median list price
$382,250
Median price per sqft
$178
1-year sale-price change
+22.1%
Median days on market
51 days
Homes sold (recent period)
77
For-sale inventory
367
Sale-to-list ratio
98.0%
Active listings
103
1-year forecast
+1.9%
Days to pending
54 days
New listings (monthly)
94

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,493/mo
1-year rent change
+4.2%
Studio fair-market rent
$908/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,135/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$1,308/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$1,700/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$1,962/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
92.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
14.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$16.40/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
17
Elementary schools
10
Middle schools
3
High schools
4
School districts serving the area
Burke County Schools, Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools
Schools include
Ray Childers Elementary, Clyde Campbell Elementary, Harry M Arndt Middle, Saint Stephens High, Webb A Murray Elementary

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
iceStorm, lightning, inlandFlooding, strongWind, tornado
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Low · drought: Relatively Low · earthquake: Relatively Low · hail: Relatively Low · heatWave: Relatively Low · hurricane: Relatively Low
FEMA flood zone (varies by location)
includes X
Flood risk level
Minimal
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 32% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
67.1%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
Nearest Superfund site
Sigmon's Septic Tank Service (20.2 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
60.5°F
Average high
70.5°F
Average low
50.0°F
Annual precipitation
43.9 in
Annual snowfall
0.4 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
8a (extreme annual low 10 to 15°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
43
Days with Good air quality
212
Days with Moderate air quality
132
Highest AQI recorded (year)
115

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
8.8 / 20
Transit service frequency
-99,999
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
20,002
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
15,439

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
6
Nearest national park
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (37 mi)
National parks include
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield
Airports within 30 mi
63
Nearest airport
Wilson's Airport (2 mi)
Nearest major airport
Hickory Regional Airport (HKY) (4 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1
Hospitals include
FRYE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, CATAWBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
2.5 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
2.5 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.5 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+828 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,982
Housing built before 1970
32.1%
Housing built 2000 or later
21.9%
Median annual property tax
$1,498
Mean commute to work
20 min
Households with broadband internet
75.9%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
80,687
Average weekly wage
$1,040
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Administrative Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
1,651

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

HickoryState medianUS median
Median home value$282,073$287,250$289,727
Median sale price$408,750$330,000$325,000
Median days on market51 days70 days51 days
Typical rent$1,493/mo$1,686/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$1,498$1,366$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Hickory, NC?
$282,073.
What is the median sale price in Hickory, NC?
$408,750.
How long do homes take to sell in Hickory, NC?
Median days on market: 51 days.
What is typical rent in Hickory, NC?
Typical rent: $1,493/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Hickory, NC?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: iceStorm, lightning, inlandFlooding, strongWind, tornado.
Is Hickory, NC in a flood zone?
Minimal (FEMA NFIP). Parts of the area include FEMA flood zone X; zones vary by location within the city.
What is the wildfire risk in Hickory, NC?
Risk to homes is higher than 32% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Hickory, NC?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Hickory, NC?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve Hickory, NC?
17 schools (10 elementary, 3 middle, 4 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is Hickory, NC walkable?
Walkability index: 8.8/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in Hickory, NC?
Good. Median AQI: 43. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Hickory, NC?
Regional Price Parity: 92.5 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP codes in Hickory

Selling a home in Hickory, NC?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents