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Hickory is located in Catawba County in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is recognized as the economic and cultural center of the Catawba River Valley. Hickory is situated in the nation's prominent furniture manufacturing region.
Hickory was established by Henry Weidner who migrated to the region from Montgomery Pennsylvania. In 1750, along with his brother-in-law he acquired a land grant which included thousands of acres of land. During the 1790's Henry Robinson built a tavern located under an enormous hickory tree in the northwest portion of Catawba County. The region took the name Hickory Tavern and the name stayed attached to the area for about 100 years. In 1859 the railroad reached Hickory Tavern and caused a significant increase in the population. In 1870 the city was incorporated and in 1891 Lenoir-Rhyne College was established by Lutheran pastors.
Hickory and the surrounding region is well known as a center for making furniture. Hickory White, formerly named Hickory Manufacturing Company is regarded as one of the oldest furniture manufacturing companies in the country. The "Miracle of Hickory" occurred in 1944 when a devastating outbreak of polio swept the region. During the outbreak the citizens in the area along with the March of Dimes built a hospital for the children who were victims of polio. They transformed buildings that were part of a summer camp and the hospital was ready for patients in two and a half days.
Hickory is served by the Charlotte/Douglas Intl. Airport. The Piedmont Wagon Transit System provides transportation for the county.
Hickory is home to Lenoir-Rhyne College, Catawba Valley Community College and HMHEC. Lenoir-Rhine College is a private liberal arts college.
Comparing Hickory to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in North Carolina (State):
Ratings range from
(lowest) to
(highest).
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Racial Diversity | ![]() | ![]() |
| Female Share of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Senior Citizens | ![]() | ![]() |
| Well-Paid Single Women | ![]() | ![]() |
| Children Under 5 Years Old | ![]() | ![]() |
| Well-Paid Single Men | ![]() | ![]() |
| Age of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Male Share of the Population | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Portion of People Married | ![]() | ![]() |
| Average Household Size | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| College Educated Adults | ![]() | ![]() |
| People in Middle Class or Better | ![]() | ![]() |
| People Above Poverty | ![]() | ![]() |
| Median Family Income | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Short Commute Times | ![]() | ![]() |
| Walking and Biking to Work | ![]() | ![]() |
| Working at Home | ![]() | ![]() |
| Public Transportation Use | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| People Living Alone | ![]() | ![]() |
| Affordability of Rents | ![]() | ![]() |
| Affordability of Property Taxes | ![]() | ![]() |
| Seasonal and Vacation Housing | ![]() | ![]() |
| Housing Recently Built | ![]() | ![]() |
| Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals | ![]() | ![]() |
| Characteristic | Compared to Peers | Compared to State |
|---|---|---|
| Low Violent Crime | ![]() | ![]() |
| Low Property Crime | ![]() | ![]() |
Detailed pages on related topics: Hickory colleges • Hickory travel • Hickory mortgages and property.
![]() | Hickory Careers Hickory career and employment information. |
![]() | Hickory Colleges Hickory colleges and trade schools. |
![]() | Hickory Hotels & Travel Hickory hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation. |
![]() | Hickory Mortgage Hickory property, mortgage, and real estate. |
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