Hickory, North Carolina

Hickory, North Carolina

Introduction to Hickory, North Carolina

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.

History

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.

Transportation

Hickory is served by the Charlotte/Douglas Intl. Airport. The Piedmont Wagon Transit System provides transportation for the county.

Attractions

• Hickory Museum of Art is recognized as the first museum in the Southeast to have a substantial collection of American art.
• Catawaba Science Center.
• Hickory Motor Speedway.
• Hickory Crawdads Minor League Baseball.
• Hiddenite Gems offers visitors the opportunity to dig and sluice for gems such as amethyst, emeralds, aquamarines, smoky quartz and sapphires.
• The Ivey Arboretum in Carolina Park features hundreds of rare trees and shrubs.
• Hickory Community Concert Association hosts concerts by well known performers.
• Hickory is well known as a major manufacturing and shopping area for furniture. The Hickory Furniture Mart is the most popular tourist attraction in the area.

Higher Education

Hickory is home to Lenoir-Rhyne College, Catawba Valley Community College and HMHEC. Lenoir-Rhine College is a private liberal arts college.

High Points

Hickory strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in North Carolina):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. State)	Top 9%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. State)	Top 16%
College Educated Adults (vs. State)	Top 19%
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State)	Top 19%

Comparative Profile of Hickory, NC

Comparing Hickory to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in North Carolina (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

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

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

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

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Hickory Almanac

Hickory Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Hickory Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Hickory residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Hickory, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Hickory Hospitals

FRYE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Proprietary)
420 N CENTER ST
(828) 322-6070
Emergency Service: Yes

CATAWBA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
810 FAIRGROVE CHURCH RD
(828) 326-3000
Emergency Service: Yes

Wal-Mart in Hickory

Hickory High Schools (2004)

HICKORY HIGH
1234 3RD STREET NE
828-322-5860
Serves 1,306 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15.5

SAINT STEPHENS HIGH
3205 34TH STREET DRIVE NE
828-256-9841
Serves 1,209 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.8

CATAWBA VALLEY HIGH
409 8TH AVENUE NE
828-328-6738
A Non-traditional School
A Title I school.
Serves 104 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 8

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