🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

28602

Hickory

ZIP Code 28602 is a standard zip code serving Hickory, Hickory, North Carolina (NC), in Catawba County, United States. It has an estimated population of 28,981 with a median household income of $37,803. The area falls within the America/New_York timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: North Carolina (NC)
County: Catawba
City: Hickory
Timezone: America/New_York

Coordinates

Latitude: 35.688400
Longitude: -81.361200

Geographic Details

Land Area: 69.69 mi²
Water Area: 0.43 mi²
Population Density: 416.0 people per mi² (70th percentile)
Bounding Box: 35.739216°N, 35.607616°S, -81.262522°E, -81.505853°W

With 28,981 residents spread across 69.69 square miles, this area has a population density of 416.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

28,981

Population

85th percentile

$37,803

Median Income

20th percentile

$121,700

Median Home Value

45th percentile

69.69 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 28602 is $37,803, and the median home value is $121,700. This is below the national average for household income.

Housing

12,677

Total Units

11,325

Occupied Units

89.3%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Hickory, NC.

28601

Hickory

28603

Hickory

Similar ZIP Codes in North Carolina

ZIP codes with similar median household income in North Carolina.

28090

Lawndale

$39,339

27341

Seagrove

$42,992

28457

Rocky Point

$43,364

27576

Selma

$33,461

27807

Bailey

$38,532

28657

Newland

$36,016

27809

Battleboro

$40,400

27239

Denton

$41,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.