28690 vs 28602 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 28690, Orange = ZIP 28602.
Quick verdict: ZIP 28690 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 28602 is lower unemployment, more diverse.
Quick Facts
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%
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
9,29429,273
Median Income
$67,974$56,031
Median Home Value
$185k$180k
Median Rent
$528$632
Median Age
51.9 yrs40.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
8.7%16.4%
Demographics
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
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 %
91.5%72.2%
Black %
1.1%11.6%
Asian %
2.9%5.6%
Hispanic %
4.6%9.7%
Age 0–17 %
17.4%22.1%
Age 18–64 %
55.3%60.4%
Age 65+ %
27.3%17.6%
Bachelor's+ %
30.7%18.0%
Diversity Index
16/10045/100
Economy
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Median Income$67,974
- Unemployment %4.3%
- IRS Net Migration+386
- Work From Home %7.6%
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
$67,974$56,031
Unemployment %
4.3%3.6%
IRS Net Migration
+386+1,215
Work From Home %
7.6%7.1%
Housing
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
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
$185k$180k
Median Rent
$528$632
Owner Occupied %
80.7%66.2%
Broadband %
84.8%84.6%
Vacant %
7.2%10.9%
Median Year Built
19731980
Climate & Location
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)
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)
1,180 ft1,143 ft
Nearest Airport
10.4 miles (16.7 km)4.9 miles (7.9 km)
Distance to Coast
152.7 miles (245.7 km)150.6 miles (242.4 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 28690
Valdese town, NC
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.6%
- Walkability (0–100)25
- Broadband %84.8%
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 %
7.6%7.1%
Walkability (0–100)
2535
Broadband %
84.8%84.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 28690 and 28602 compare?
ZIP 28690 is wealthier, higher home values, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 28602 is lower unemployment, more diverse.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (28690), 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).
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