Hickory, NC Demographics

A map of Hickory's Population by Race

Hickory, North Carolina has an estimated population of 44,258, a slight increase from the 43,490 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.6% White, 15.2% Hispanic, 13.0% Black, 4.8% Asian, 4.1% Multiracial, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Hickory, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Hickory has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Hickory, that probability was 54.4% in 2020 and 56.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Hickory is ranked the 25th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Hickory was ranked the 24th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Hickory's White Population

27,704 residents of Hickory, or 62.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Hickory is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Hickory ranks 447th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's White population has declined by an estimated 1.4%. White residents' share of Hickory's population has decreased from 64.6% to 62.6%.

Hickory is more White than neighboring Long View (55.2% White). Hickory is less White than neighboring Brookford (76.2% White), St. Stephens (65.4% White), Northlakes (92.8% White), and Mountain View (87.6% White).

Hickory's Black Population

5,733 residents of Hickory, or 13.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Hickory is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Hickory ranks 352nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.2%. Black residents' share of Hickory's population has decreased from 13.6% to 13.0%.

Hickory is more Black than neighboring Brookford (7.9% Black), St. Stephens (4.4% Black), Northlakes (0.4% Black), and Mountain View (4.1% Black). Hickory is less Black than neighboring Long View (18.5% Black).

Hickory's Asian Population

2,106 residents of Hickory, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Hickory is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Hickory ranks 48th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's Asian population has grown by an estimated 26.9%. Asian residents' share of Hickory's population has increased from 3.8% to 4.8%.

Hickory is more Asian than neighboring Brookford (2.1% Asian), Northlakes (1.2% Asian), and Mountain View (0% Asian). Hickory is less Asian than neighboring St. Stephens (4.9% Asian), and Long View (8.7% Asian).

Hickory's Hispanic Population

6,709 residents of Hickory, or 15.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Hickory is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Hickory ranks 143rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 20.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Hickory's population has increased from 12.8% to 15.2%.

Hickory is more Hispanic than neighboring Brookford (12.1% Hispanic), Northlakes (4% Hispanic), Long View (12.5% Hispanic), and Mountain View (7.7% Hispanic). Hickory is less Hispanic than neighboring St. Stephens (16.7% Hispanic).

Hickory's Native American/Other Population

175 residents of Hickory, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Hickory is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Hickory ranks 415th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 43.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Hickory's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Hickory is more Native American/Other than neighboring St. Stephens (0% Native American/Other), Northlakes (0% Native American/Other), Long View (0% Native American/Other), and Mountain View (0% Native American/Other). Hickory is less Native American/Other than neighboring Brookford (0.5% Native American/Other).

Hickory's Multiracial Population

1,831 residents of Hickory, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Hickory is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Hickory ranks 209th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Hickory's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 5.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Hickory's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.1%.

Hickory is more Multiracial than neighboring Brookford (1.3% Multiracial), Northlakes (1.6% Multiracial), and Mountain View (0.6% Multiracial). Hickory is less Multiracial than neighboring St. Stephens (8.6% Multiracial), and Long View (5.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.