Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2021 Population

364,877

0.844% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

43.1

0.231% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

14.1%

1.05% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$53,163

6.95% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$147,800

6.25% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

166,522

0.511% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC had a population of 365k people with a median age of 43.1 and a median household income of $53,163. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC declined from 367,982 to 364,877, a −0.844% decrease and its median household income grew from $49,706 to $53,163, a 6.95% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (79.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.43%), Other (Hispanic) (3.84%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.05%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.52%).

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% 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 (1,587 degrees awarded in 2021), Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (1,465 degrees), and Lenoir-Rhyne University (671 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $147,800, and the homeownership rate was 73.5%.

Most people in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 2 cars per household.

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC borders Boone, NC, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, Forest City, NC, Marion, NC, North Wilkesboro, NC, and Shelby, NC.

About the photo: Wisemans View, NC

Photo by Joe Giordano

United States North Carolina

Population & Diversity

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is home to a population of 365k people, from which 97% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.15% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents were born outside of the country (18.8k people).

In 2021, there were 12.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (291k people) in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 23.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 14k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97%

2021 Citizenship

97%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 97%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
291k ± 480
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
23.5k ± 1.04k
Other (Hispanic)
14k ± 1.46k

7.84%

Hispanic Population

28.6k people

7.84% of the people in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are hispanic (28.6k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

5.15%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

18.8k people

5.06%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

18.6k people

As of 2021, 5.15% of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC residents (18.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was 5.06%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,744 ± 534
Gulf War (2001-)
3,522 ± 424
Gulf War (1990s)
2,596 ± 352

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC employs 167k people. The largest industries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are Manufacturing (43,624 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,981 people), and Retail Trade (18,869 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,565), Utilities ($57,813), and Finance & Insurance ($57,132).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

167k

2021 Value

± 3,386

−0.511%

1 Year decline

± 2.85%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC declined at a rate of −0.511%, from 167k employees to 167k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, are Production Occupations (25,525 people), Sales & Related Occupations (16,525 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,200 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

167k

2021 Value

± 3,386

−0.511%

1 Year decline

± 2.85%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC declined at a rate of −0.511%, from 167k employees to 167k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, are Manufacturing (43,624 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (20,981 people), and Retail Trade (18,869 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,285

Median earning men ± $725

$30,172

Median earning women ± $825

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($58,424), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,313), and Wholesale Trade ($51,282).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,541), Construction ($41,908), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,507).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,832
Manufacturing
2,436
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,663
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$6.89M
Manufacturing
$2.25M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.03M
Wholesale Trade

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC awarded 4,142 degrees. The student population of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,634 male students and 7,159 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are White (3,101 and 75.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (395 and 9.67%), Black or African American (203 and 4.97%), and Asian (187 and 4.58%).

The largest universities in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC by number of degrees awarded are Catawba Valley Community College (1,587 and 38.3%), Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (1,465 and 35.4%), and Lenoir-Rhyne University (671 and 16.2%).

The most popular majors in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (925 and 22.3%), Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (313 and 7.56%), and General Business Administration & Management (303 and 7.32%).

The median tuition cost in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC for private four year colleges is $41,500.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 85.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 9.19%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 11,793 (39.3% men and 60.7% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 11,793 students enrolled in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, 39.3% men and 60.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,473 records, of which 61% were women and 39% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities
313 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
118 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
925 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities with 313 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.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Catawba Valley Community College
1,587 degrees awarded
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
1,465 degrees awarded
Lenoir-Rhyne University
671 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Catawba Valley Community College with 1,587 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,668 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, which is 0.674 times less than the 2,474 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,101 degrees mean that there were 7.85 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 395 degrees awarded.

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.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($41,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($199) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $147,800 in 2021, which is 0.604 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $139,100 to $147,800, a 6.25% increase. The homeownership rate in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is 73.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have an average commute time of 23.4 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.

Median household income in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $53,163. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was Wake County, NC with a value of $88,471, followed by Union County, NC and Currituck County, NC, with respective values of $88,465 and $79,416.

Housing

Property

$147,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,174

$105,162

Median Property Taxes

±$2,466

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 range.

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

Rent vs Own

73.5%

Homeownership

2021

66.9%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 73.5% of the housing units in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 73.4%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was Wake County, NC with a value of $88,471, followed by Union County, NC and Currituck County, NC, with respective values of $88,465 and $79,416.

The following map shows all of the counties in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$53,163

Median Household Income

± $1,285

143k

Number of Households

± 2,925

In 2021, the median household income of the 143k households in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC grew to $53,163 from the previous year's value of $49,706.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (83.5%)
Carpooled (8.66%)
Worked At Home (4.9%)

In 2021, 83.5% of workers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.66%) and those who worked at home (4.9%).

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.

Commute Time

23.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC have a shorter commute time (23.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.38% 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.

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.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (50.3k out of 357k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 6 - 11.

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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

88.6% of the population of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC has health coverage, with 42.2% on employee plans, 17.3% on Medicaid, 15.2% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1.6% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1399 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1405 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1710 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 363 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,399 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,399 patients per year. This represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1,405 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.2% under 18 years, 18.4% between 18 and 34 years, 40.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 19% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.8% were men and 51.2% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11.4%

Uninsured

42.2%

Employer Coverage

17.3%

Medicaid

15.2%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

1.6%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC grew by 0.519% from 11.4% to 11.4%.

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.