28681 vs 28601 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 28681, Orange = ZIP 28601.
Quick verdict: ZIP 28681 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 28601 is wealthier, higher home values, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- Population26,117
- Median Income$61,343
- Median Home Value$188k
- Median Rent$522
- Median Age44.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate11.8%
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Population52,839
- Median Income$67,839
- Median Home Value$236k
- Median Rent$789
- Median Age40.2 yrs
- Poverty Rate12.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
26,11752,839
Median Income
$61,343$67,839
Median Home Value
$188k$236k
Median Rent
$522$789
Median Age
44.2 yrs40.2 yrs
Poverty Rate
11.8%12.7%
Demographics
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- White %88.6%
- Black %4.8%
- Asian %0.8%
- Hispanic %4.7%
- Age 0–17 %18.6%
- Age 18–64 %61.1%
- Age 65+ %20.4%
- Bachelor's+ %15.2%
- Diversity Index21/100
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- White %76.0%
- Black %8.3%
- Asian %4.5%
- Hispanic %9.4%
- Age 0–17 %20.7%
- Age 18–64 %60.7%
- Age 65+ %18.6%
- Bachelor's+ %34.7%
- Diversity Index40/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
88.6%76.0%
Black %
4.8%8.3%
Asian %
0.8%4.5%
Hispanic %
4.7%9.4%
Age 0–17 %
18.6%20.7%
Age 18–64 %
61.1%60.7%
Age 65+ %
20.4%18.6%
Bachelor's+ %
15.2%34.7%
Diversity Index
21/10040/100
Economy
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$61,343
- Unemployment %5.2%
- IRS Net Migration+1,084
- Work From Home %4.9%
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$67,839
- Unemployment %4.0%
- IRS Net Migration+2,194
- Work From Home %8.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$61,343$67,839
Unemployment %
5.2%4.0%
IRS Net Migration
+1,084+2,194
Work From Home %
4.9%8.0%
Housing
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$188k
- Median Rent$522
- Owner Occupied %80.7%
- Broadband %83.7%
- Vacant %15.4%
- Median Year Built1985
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Median Home Value$236k
- Median Rent$789
- Owner Occupied %68.1%
- Broadband %89.1%
- Vacant %9.2%
- Median Year Built1982
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$188k$236k
Median Rent
$522$789
Owner Occupied %
80.7%68.1%
Broadband %
83.7%89.1%
Vacant %
15.4%9.2%
Median Year Built
19851982
Climate & Location
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,320 ft
- Nearest Airport15.6 miles (25.2 km)
- Distance to Coast169.9 miles (273.5 km)
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,143 ft
- Nearest Airport4.1 miles (6.6 km)
- Distance to Coast158.4 miles (254.9 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,320 ft1,143 ft
Nearest Airport
15.6 miles (25.2 km)4.1 miles (6.6 km)
Distance to Coast
169.9 miles (273.5 km)158.4 miles (254.9 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 28681
Bethlehem CDP, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %4.9%
- Walkability (0–100)29
- Broadband %83.7%
ZIP 28601
Hickory city, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %8.0%
- Walkability (0–100)37
- Broadband %89.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
4.9%8.0%
Walkability (0–100)
2937
Broadband %
83.7%89.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 28681 and 28601 compare?
ZIP 28681 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate. ZIP 28601 is wealthier, 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 (28681), orange the second (28601). 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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