Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population
368,316
US Senator
Thom Tillis
Republican Party
US Senator
Ted Budd
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
43.5
0.23% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
13.5%
2.84% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$62,787
4.2% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$215,600
11.5% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
171,053
0.706% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.2% of the residents in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are Catawba Valley Community College (1,388 degrees awarded in 2023), Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (1,022 degrees), and Lenoir-Rhyne University (634 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $215,600, and the homeownership rate was 73.8%.

Most people in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Wisemans View, NC
Photo by Joe Giordano
United StatesNorth Carolina

Population & Diversity

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is home to a population of 368k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.31% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents were born outside of the country (19.6k people).

In 2024, there were 12.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (287k people) in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 22.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 13.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.2%
2024 Citizenship
97.1%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.2% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    287k ± 748
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    22.9k ± 968
  3. Other (Hispanic)
    13.3k ± 1.38k
9.14%
Hispanic Population
33.7k people

In 2024, there were 12.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (287k people) in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 22.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 13.3k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

9.14% of the people in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are hispanic (33.7k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    224,963 ± 11,520 people
  2. India
    83,219 ± 7,055 people
  3. Honduras
    48,247 ± 5,380 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 224,963 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 83,219 and Honduras with 48,247.

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Foreign-Born Population

5.31%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
19.6k people
5.3%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
19.4k people

As of 2024, 5.31% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents (19.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 5.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    7,371 ± 501
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    4,344 ± 611
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    2,400 ± 362

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC.

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Economy

The economy of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC employs 171k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC were Manufacturing (40,842 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,411 people), and Retail Trade (20,273 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($97,891), Utilities ($72,566), and Finance & Insurance ($66,314).

Employment

Occupations

171k
2024 Value
± 3,624
0.706%
1 Year growth
± 2.93%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC grew at a rate of 0.706%, from 170k employees to 171k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, are Production Occupations (23,635 people), Management Occupations (17,311 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,261 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

171k
2024 Value
± 3,624
0.706%
1 Year growth
± 2.93%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC grew at a rate of 0.706%, from 170k employees to 171k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, are Manufacturing (40,842 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (22,411 people), and Retail Trade (20,273 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, though some of these residents may live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$47,987
Median earning men ± $1,177
$36,586
Median earning women ± $876

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,724), Wholesale Trade ($58,217), and Public Administration ($57,534).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($67,500), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,955), and Public Administration ($49,134).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
Y-Axis
3.04%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 607
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  2. 524
    Retail Trade
  3. 513
    Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $2.15M
    Manufacturing
  2. $1.22M
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  3. $552k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC awarded 3,613 degrees. The student population of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 4,963 male students and 7,235 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are White (2,617 and 73.3%), Hispanic or Latino (408 and 11.4%), Black or African American (203 and 5.69%), and Asian (162 and 4.54%).

The largest universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC by number of degrees awarded are Catawba Valley Community College (1,388 and 38.4%), Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (1,022 and 28.3%), and Lenoir-Rhyne University (634 and 17.5%).

The most popular majors in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (938 and 26%), General Business Administration & Management (235 and 6.5%), and Registered Nursing (196 and 5.42%).

The median tuition cost in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC for private four year colleges is $30,000.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 80.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 7.42%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 12,198 (40.7% men and 59.3% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 12,198 students enrolled in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, 40.7% men and 59.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,464 records, of which 60.1% were women and 39.9% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Registered Nursing
    147 degrees awarded
  2. General Business Administration & Management
    66 degrees awarded
  3. Liberal Arts & Sciences
    938 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was Registered Nursing with 147 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Catawba Valley Community College
    1,388 degrees awarded
  2. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
    1,022 degrees awarded
  3. Lenoir-Rhyne University
    634 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Catawba Valley Community College with 1,388 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,459 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, which is 0.677 times less than the 2,154 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,617 degrees mean that there were 6.41 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 408 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,000) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($900) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $215,600 in 2024, which is 0.648 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $193,400 to $215,600, a 11.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 73.8%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have an average commute time of 24.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$215,600
Median Property Value 2024
±$3,256
$110,454
Median Property Taxes
±$2,580

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

73.8%
Homeownership
2024
67.4%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 73.8% of the housing units in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 74.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$62,787
Median Household Income
± $1,624
150k
Number of Households
± 3,179

In 2024, the median household income of the 150k households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC grew to $62,787 from the previous year's value of $60,255.

The following chart displays the households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is from North Carolina.
0.467
2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina
0.47
2022 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2023, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.639% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (81.6%)
  2. Carpooled (9.86%)
  3. Worked At Home (7.12%)

In 2024, 81.6% of workers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.86%) and those who worked at home (7.12%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

24.1 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have a shorter commute time (24.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.69% of the workforce in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (48.7k out of 360k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 35 - 44.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

89.6% of the population of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has health coverage, with 41.7% on employee plans, 17.5% on Medicaid, 15.7% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 1.65% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1,413 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1634 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 299 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
1,413 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,413 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.7% under 18 years, 18.8% between 18 and 34 years, 39.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 20.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

10.4%
Uninsured
41.7%
Employer Coverage
17.5%
Medicaid
15.7%
Medicare
13%
Non-Group
1.65%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC declined by 7.89% from 11.3% to 10.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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