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Hickory, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Catawba County County
3.3
/5.0
B
Good
43,747
Population
1,355/sq mi density
$63,361
Median Income
$36,266 per capita
$248,300
Home Value
$289,141 Zillow
$975
Median Rent
26.2% income on rent
59°F
Avg Temperature
310 sunny days/yr
402
Violent Crime/100K
4,369 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$63,361 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$248,300 home value, $975/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
402 violent crimes/100K (6% above avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Hickory enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 310 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 59.0°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Area | 32.3 sq mi (83.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,355/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7401°N, 81.3218°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Catawba County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hickory Regional (HKY) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 8.4 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in |
Hickory has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (3.5").