28602 vs 28690 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 28602, Orange = ZIP 28690.
Quick verdict: ZIP 28602 is lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 28690 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
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%
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Population9,294
- Median Income$67,974
- Median Home Value$185k
- Median Rent$528
- Median Age51.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate8.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
29,2739,294
Median Income
$56,031$67,974
Median Home Value
$180k$185k
Median Rent
$632$528
Median Age
40.9 yrs51.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
16.4%8.7%
Demographics
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
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- White %91.5%
- Black %1.1%
- Asian %2.9%
- Hispanic %4.6%
- Age 0–17 %17.4%
- Age 18–64 %55.3%
- Age 65+ %27.3%
- Bachelor's+ %30.7%
- Diversity Index16/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
72.2%91.5%
Black %
11.6%1.1%
Asian %
5.6%2.9%
Hispanic %
9.7%4.6%
Age 0–17 %
22.1%17.4%
Age 18–64 %
60.4%55.3%
Age 65+ %
17.6%27.3%
Bachelor's+ %
18.0%30.7%
Diversity Index
45/10016/100
Economy
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%
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$67,974
- Unemployment %4.3%
- IRS Net Migration+386
- Work From Home %7.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$56,031$67,974
Unemployment %
3.6%4.3%
IRS Net Migration
+1,215+386
Work From Home %
7.1%7.6%
Housing
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
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$185k
- Median Rent$528
- Owner Occupied %80.7%
- Broadband %84.8%
- Vacant %7.2%
- Median Year Built1973
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$180k$185k
Median Rent
$632$528
Owner Occupied %
66.2%80.7%
Broadband %
84.6%84.8%
Vacant %
10.9%7.2%
Median Year Built
19801973
Climate & Location
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)
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,180 ft
- Nearest Airport10.4 miles (16.7 km)
- Distance to Coast152.7 miles (245.7 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,143 ft1,180 ft
Nearest Airport
4.9 miles (7.9 km)10.4 miles (16.7 km)
Distance to Coast
150.6 miles (242.4 km)152.7 miles (245.7 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 28602
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.1%
- Walkability (0–100)35
- Broadband %84.6%
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.6%
- Walkability (0–100)25
- Broadband %84.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.1%7.6%
Walkability (0–100)
3525
Broadband %
84.6%84.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 28602 and 28690 compare?
ZIP 28602 is lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 28690 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (28602), orange the second (28690). 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).
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