28168 vs 28602 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 28168, Orange = ZIP 28602.
Quick verdict: ZIP 28168 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 28602 is higher home values, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- Population10,436
- Median Income$63,396
- Median Home Value$176k
- Median Rent$583
- Median Age46.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate13.9%
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Population29,273
- Median Income$56,031
- Median Home Value$180k
- Median Rent$632
- Median Age40.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate16.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
10,43629,273
Median Income
$63,396$56,031
Median Home Value
$176k$180k
Median Rent
$583$632
Median Age
46.5 yrs40.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
13.9%16.4%
Demographics
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- White %85.0%
- Black %6.3%
- Asian %0.6%
- Hispanic %7.1%
- Age 0–17 %19.1%
- Age 18–64 %60.2%
- Age 65+ %20.7%
- Bachelor's+ %15.1%
- Diversity Index27/100
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- White %72.2%
- Black %11.6%
- Asian %5.6%
- Hispanic %9.7%
- Age 0–17 %22.1%
- Age 18–64 %60.4%
- Age 65+ %17.6%
- Bachelor's+ %18.0%
- Diversity Index45/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
85.0%72.2%
Black %
6.3%11.6%
Asian %
0.6%5.6%
Hispanic %
7.1%9.7%
Age 0–17 %
19.1%22.1%
Age 18–64 %
60.2%60.4%
Age 65+ %
20.7%17.6%
Bachelor's+ %
15.1%18.0%
Diversity Index
27/10045/100
Economy
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$63,396
- Unemployment %4.5%
- IRS Net Migration+433
- Work From Home %4.3%
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$56,031
- Unemployment %3.6%
- IRS Net Migration+1,215
- Work From Home %7.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$63,396$56,031
Unemployment %
4.5%3.6%
IRS Net Migration
+433+1,215
Work From Home %
4.3%7.1%
Housing
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$176k
- Median Rent$583
- Owner Occupied %83.5%
- Broadband %85.7%
- Vacant %9.8%
- Median Year Built1986
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$180k
- Median Rent$632
- Owner Occupied %66.2%
- Broadband %84.6%
- Vacant %10.9%
- Median Year Built1980
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$176k$180k
Median Rent
$583$632
Owner Occupied %
83.5%66.2%
Broadband %
85.7%84.6%
Vacant %
9.8%10.9%
Median Year Built
19861980
Climate & Location
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)985 ft
- Nearest Airport13.2 miles (21.2 km)
- Distance to Coast142.3 miles (228.9 km)
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,143 ft
- Nearest Airport4.9 miles (7.9 km)
- Distance to Coast150.6 miles (242.4 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
985 ft1,143 ft
Nearest Airport
13.2 miles (21.2 km)4.9 miles (7.9 km)
Distance to Coast
142.3 miles (228.9 km)150.6 miles (242.4 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 28168
Belwood town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %4.3%
- Walkability (0–100)20
- Broadband %85.7%
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.1%
- Walkability (0–100)35
- Broadband %84.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
4.3%7.1%
Walkability (0–100)
2035
Broadband %
85.7%84.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 28168 and 28602 compare?
ZIP 28168 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 28602 is higher home values, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (28168), orange the second (28602). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
Continue exploring