28602 ZIP Code
Hickory, North carolina
December 15, 2025
| ZIP Code: | 28602 |
| City/Town: | Hickory |
| County: | Catawba |
| State: | North carolina |
| ZIP Type: | Standard |
| Population: | 29,298 |
| Median Household Income: | $53,180 |
| Per Capita Income: | $34,082 |
| Total Housing Units: | 12,716 |
| Median Home Value: | $166,900 |
| Land Area: | 70.7 sq miles
183.0 sq km |
| Water Area: | 0.5 sq miles
1.2 sq km |
| Coordinates: | 35.6735, -81.3826 |
Population Information (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population: | 29,298 | -- | -- |
| Male: | 14,608 | 49.9% | 49.6% |
| Female: | 14,690 | 50.1% | 50.4% |
| Median Age: | 38.4 yrs | -- | 38.5 yrs |
| Under 5 years: | 1,659 | 5.7% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 years: | 1,495 | 5.1% | 6.0% |
| 10 to 14 years: | 2,258 | 7.7% | 6.5% |
| 15 to 19 years: | 1,697 | 5.8% | 6.6% |
| 20 to 24 years: | 1,800 | 6.1% | 6.7% |
| 25 to 34 years: | 4,432 | 15.1% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 years: | 3,171 | 10.8% | 12.9% |
| 45 to 54 years: | 3,959 | 13.5% | 12.4% |
| 55 to 59 years: | 1,987 | 6.8% | 6.5% |
| 60 to 64 years: | 1,928 | 6.6% | 6.4% |
| 65 to 74 years: | 3,438 | 11.7% | 9.7% |
| 75 to 84 years: | 1,109 | 3.8% | 4.8% |
| 85 years and over: | 365 | 1.2% | 2.0% |
Housing Information (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value: | $166,900 | -- | $281,900 |
| Median rooms: | 5.4 | -- | 5.5 |
| Median rent: | $823 / mo. | -- | $1,268 / mo. |
| Total housing units: | 12,716 | -- | -- |
| Occupied housing units: | 11,635 | 91.5% | 38.0% |
| Vacant housing units: | 1,081 | 8.5% | 4.6% |
| Housing tenure: | -- | -- | -- |
| Owner-occupied: | 7,867 | 67.6% | 64.8% |
| Renter-occupied: | 3,768 | 32.4% | 35.2% |
Educational Attainment (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 years and over: | 20,389 | -- | -- |
| Less than 9th grade: | 760 | 3.7% | 4.7% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2,073 | 10.2% | 6.1% |
| High school graduate: | 6,598 | 32.4% | 26.4% |
| Some college, no degree: | 4,783 | 23.5% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree: | 2,608 | 12.8% | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 2,551 | 12.5% | 20.9% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,016 | 5.0% | 13.7% |
| Percent high school graduate or higher: | -- | 86.1% | 89.1% |
| Percent bachelor's degree or higher: | -- | 17.5% | 34.3% |
Income Information (28602 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income: | $53,180 / yr. | $75,149 / yr. |
| Mean household income: | $71,311 / yr. | $105,833 / yr. |
| Median family income: | $65,700 / yr. | $92,646 / yr. |
| Per capita income: | $34,082 / yr. | $41,261 / yr. |
Employment (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In labor force: | 14,890 | -- | 63.5% |
| Employed: | 14,156 | 95.1% | 96.4% |
| Unemployed: | 724 | 4.9% | 5.3% |
| Not in labor force: | 8,626 | -- | -- |
| Class of Worker: | -- | -- | -- |
| Private wage and salary: | 11,960 | 84.5% | 79.7% |
| Government workers: | 1,233 | 8.7% | 14.2% |
| Self-employed: | 933 | 6.6% | 5.9% |
| Unpaid family workers: | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Race & Ethnicity (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race (one race): | -- | -- | -- |
| White: | 20,814 | 71.0% | 61.6% |
| Black or African American: | 3,558 | 12.1% | 12.4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native: | 168 | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Asian: | 1,778 | 6.1% | 6.0% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Some other race: | 1,272 | 4.3% | 8.4% |
| Two or more races: | 1,708 | 5.8% | 10.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race): | 2,213 | 7.6% | 18.7% |
| Mexican: | 2,673 | 9.1% | 11.2% |
| Puerto Rican: | 1,902 | 6.5% | 1.8% |
| Cuban: | 185 | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Other Hispanic or Latino: | 27 | 0.1% | 5.0% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino: | 559 | 1.9% | 81.1% |
Income Distribution (28602 zip code)
| Household Income | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $10,000: | 693 | 6.0% | 4.9% |
| $10,000 to $14,999: | 636 | 5.5% | 3.8% |
| $15,000 to $24,999: | 1,239 | 10.6% | 7.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999: | 1,035 | 8.9% | 7.4% |
| $35,000 to $49,999: | 1,740 | 15.0% | 10.7% |
| $50,000 to $74,999: | 2,269 | 19.5% | 16.1% |
| $75,000 to $99,999: | 1,216 | 10.5% | 12.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,857 | 16.0% | 17.1% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 557 | 4.8% | 8.8% |
| $200,000 or more: | 393 | 3.4% | 11.4% |
Commute to Work (28602 zip code)
| Commute Method | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone: | 11,043 | 78.0% | 67.8% |
| Carpooled: | 1,572 | 11.1% | 8.7% |
| Public transportation: | 44 | 0.3% | 4.2% |
| Walked: | 172 | 1.2% | 2.5% |
| Other means: | 177 | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Worked from home: | 925 | 6.5% | 13.8% |
| Mean travel time to work: | 21.1 min | -- | 26.7 min |
Industry (28602 zip code)
| Industry Sector | Workers | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: | 72 | 0.5% | 1.6% |
| Construction: | 766 | 5.4% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing: | 3,797 | 26.8% | 10.0% |
| Wholesale trade: | 335 | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Retail trade: | 1,705 | 12.0% | 11.0% |
| Transportation, warehousing, utilities: | 725 | 5.1% | 5.8% |
| Information: | 191 | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Finance, insurance, real estate: | 299 | 2.1% | 6.7% |
| Professional, scientific, management: | 1,172 | 8.3% | 12.1% |
| Education, health care, social services: | 2,556 | 18.1% | 23.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, food services: | 1,220 | 8.6% | 9.0% |
| Other services: | 877 | 6.2% | 4.7% |
| Public administration: | 441 | 3.1% | 4.7% |
Poverty Status (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Rate: | -- | 18.0% | 8.8% |
| All people below poverty level: | -- | -- | -- |
| Under 18 years: | -- | -- | 16.3% |
| 18 to 64 years: | -- | -- | 11.0% |
| 65 years and over: | -- | -- | 10.3% |
Health Insurance (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With health insurance: | 25,026 | 85.4% | 91.3% |
| Private health insurance: | 17,426 | 59.5% | 67.6% |
| Public health coverage: | 11,003 | 37.6% | 35.9% |
| Without health insurance: | 3,987 | 13.6% | 8.7% |
Benefits & Assistance (28602 zip code)
| Households with: | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings: | 8,793 | 75.6% | 77.4% |
| Social Security income: | 3,984 | 34.2% | 31.0% |
| Retirement income: | 2,337 | 20.1% | 21.8% |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI): | 569 | 4.9% | 4.5% |
| Cash public assistance income: | 308 | 2.6% | 1.8% |
| SNAP (food stamps) benefits: | 1,673 | 14.4% | 11.4% |
Housing Types (28602 zip code)
| Structure Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-unit, detached: | 8,962 | 70.5% | 61.4% |
| 1-unit, attached: | 234 | 1.8% | 6.1% |
| 2 units: | 424 | 3.3% | 3.4% |
| 3 or 4 units: | 416 | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| 5 to 9 units: | 201 | 1.6% | 4.6% |
| 10 to 19 units: | 598 | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| 20 or more units: | 354 | 2.8% | 9.9% |
| Mobile home: | 1,525 | 12.0% | 5.8% |
| Boat, RV, van, etc.: | 2 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
Year Structure Built (28602 zip code)
| Year Built | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later: | 90 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Built 2010 to 2019: | 369 | 2.9% | 8.2% |
| Built 2000 to 2009: | 1,670 | 13.1% | 13.5% |
| Built 1990 to 1999: | 2,153 | 16.9% | 13.2% |
| Built 1980 to 1989: | 1,646 | 12.9% | 13.2% |
| Built 1970 to 1979: | 2,127 | 16.7% | 14.6% |
| Built 1960 to 1969: | 1,529 | 12.0% | 10.2% |
| Built 1950 to 1959: | 1,341 | 10.5% | 9.9% |
| Built 1940 to 1949: | 742 | 5.8% | 4.6% |
| Built 1939 or earlier: | 1,049 | 8.2% | 12.0% |
Bedrooms (28602 zip code)
| Number of Bedrooms | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio): | 85 | 0.7% | 2.4% |
| 1 bedroom: | 773 | 6.1% | 3.0% |
| 2 bedrooms: | 4,149 | 32.6% | 9.1% |
| 3 bedrooms: | 6,119 | 48.1% | 15.9% |
| 4 bedrooms: | 1,348 | 10.6% | 18.8% |
| 5 or more bedrooms: | 242 | 1.9% | 17.6% |
Heating Fuel (28602 zip code)
| Fuel Type | Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility gas: | 1,776 | 15.3% | 47.1% |
| Bottled, tank, or LP gas: | 312 | 2.7% | 4.9% |
| Electricity: | 8,565 | 73.6% | 40.2% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.: | 588 | 5.1% | 4.2% |
| Coal or coke: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Wood: | 321 | 2.8% | 1.5% |
| Solar energy: | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Other fuel: | 60 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| No fuel used: | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Vehicles Available (28602 zip code)
| Vehicles | Households | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available: | 507 | 4.4% | 8.3% |
| 1 vehicle available: | 3,636 | 31.3% | 32.6% |
| 2 vehicles available: | 4,434 | 38.1% | 37.0% |
| 3 or more vehicles available: | 3,058 | 26.3% | 22.1% |
Home Value Distribution (28602 zip code)
| Value Range | Owner Units | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than $50,000: | 690 | 8.8% | 5.7% |
| $50,000 to $99,999: | 1,050 | 13.3% | 7.8% |
| $100,000 to $149,999: | 1,631 | 20.7% | 9.2% |
| $150,000 to $199,999: | 1,543 | 19.6% | 10.8% |
| $200,000 to $299,999: | 1,836 | 23.3% | 19.9% |
| $300,000 to $499,999: | 990 | 12.6% | 24.1% |
| $500,000 to $999,999: | 127 | 1.6% | 17.0% |
| $1,000,000 or more: | 0 | 0.0% | 5.6% |
Housing Costs (28602 zip code)
| Value | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Median owner costs (with mortgage): | $1,134 / mo. | $1,828 / mo. |
| Median owner costs (no mortgage): | $329 / mo. | $584 / mo. |
| Median gross rent: | $823 / mo. | $1,268 / mo. |
| Average household size (owner-occupied): | 2.51 | 2.53 |
| Average household size (renter-occupied): | 2.43 | 2.38 |
Households (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households: | 11,635 | -- | -- |
| Married-couple households: | 5,378 | 46.2% | 47.5% |
| Cohabiting couple households: | 2,111 | 18.1% | 7.0% |
| Male householder, no spouse: | 2,226 | 19.1% | 5.4% |
| Female householder, no spouse: | 3,143 | 27.0% | 12.7% |
| Householder living alone: | 3,665 | 31.5% | 28.6% |
| 65 years and over living alone: | 3,696 | 31.8% | 11.8% |
| Average household size: | 2.48 | -- | 2.53 |
| Average family size: | 2.98 | -- | -- |
Marital Status (28602 zip code)
| Population 15 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 11,932 | -- | -- |
| Never married: | 4,018 | 33.7% | 37.0% |
| Now married: | 6,019 | 50.4% | 49.5% |
| Separated: | 412 | 3.5% | 1.5% |
| Widowed: | 1,221 | 10.2% | 2.6% |
| Divorced: | 3,043 | 25.5% | 9.3% |
School Enrollment (28602 zip code)
| Population 3 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in school: | 6,267 | -- | -- |
| Nursery school, preschool: | 299 | 4.8% | 5.8% |
| Kindergarten: | 217 | 3.5% | 5.0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3,033 | 48.4% | 40.5% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,547 | 24.7% | 21.4% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,171 | 18.7% | 27.3% |
Veterans & Disability (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian population 18 years and over: | 22,613 | -- | -- |
| Veterans: | 1,406 | 6.2% | 6.3% |
| Civilian noninstitutionalized population: | 29,013 | -- | -- |
| With a disability: | 4,179 | 14.4% | 13.4% |
| Under 18 with disability: | 324 | 7.8% | 5.8% |
| 18 to 64 with disability: | 2,228 | 53.3% | 10.4% |
| 65 and over with disability: | 1,627 | 38.9% | 33.4% |
Mobility (Residence 1 Year Ago) (28602 zip code)
| Population 1 year and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same house: | 25,640 | 87.5% | 86.9% |
| Different house: | 3,393 | 11.6% | 13.1% |
| Same county: | 1,349 | 39.8% | 7.0% |
| Different county: | 2,004 | 59.1% | 3.2% |
| Different state: | 525 | 15.5% | 2.5% |
| Abroad: | 40 | 1.2% | 0.4% |
Place of Birth (28602 zip code)
| Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native born: | 27,256 | 93.0% | 86.2% |
| Foreign born: | 157 | 0.5% | 13.9% |
| Naturalized citizen: | 2,042 | 1300.6% | 52.7% |
| Not a citizen: | 2,042 | 1300.6% | 47.3% |
| Foreign-born by region: | -- | -- | -- |
| Europe: | 2,042 | 1300.6% | 10.5% |
| Asia: | 379 | 241.4% | 31.3% |
| Africa: | 118 | 75.2% | 5.5% |
| Oceania: | 0 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Latin America: | 1,159 | 738.2% | 50.0% |
| Northern America: | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% |
Language Spoken at Home (28602 zip code)
| Population 5 years and over | Number# | Percent% | US AvgUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total: | 27,639 | -- | -- |
| English only: | 24,014 | 86.9% | 78.3% |
| Language other than English: | 3,625 | 13.1% | 21.5% |
| By language: | -- | -- | -- |
| Spanish: | 1,922 | 7.0% | 13.3% |
| Other Indo-European languages: | 235 | 0.9% | 3.5% |
| Asian/Pacific Island languages: | 1,418 | 5.1% | 3.5% |
| Other languages: | 50 | 0.2% | 1.0% |
Computers & Internet (28602 zip code)
| Households | Percent% | US AvgUS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households with a computer: | 11,635 | 100.0% | 93.1% |
| Households with broadband internet: | 10,734 | 92.3% | 89.4% |
Hickory, NC28602