Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Hickory, North Carolina is a medium-sized city with a population of 41,067 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Hickory is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Hickory. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Hickory, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Hickory and in the areas around Hickory is a much easier task.
Using data and statistics Hickory has received a livability score of 69/100. This score is ranked in the 75th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Hickory has higher than average grades for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Hickory does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Hickory has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Hickory is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Hickory come in at $189,100, which is 20.4% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Hickory, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 18.2% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Hickory | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.3% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.7% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.4% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.6% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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