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Hickory city, NC

ZIP 28602 — Housing & Real Estate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates. Page data updated 2026-08-02.

Working ClassLow Snow Area

Home values, rent, tenure, and housing stock

Housing & Real Estate in ZIP Code 28602

Median Home Value
$180,300
Median Rent
$632
Affordability Snapshot
$50,000
Est. income to buy

Household income needed for a median home under a 20% down / 6.8% illustrative mortgage model (~$1,158/mo PITI).

14%
Rent-to-Income Ratio

Below the 30% threshold — generally affordable for median earners.

3.2x
Home Price-to-Income Ratio

Within the typical 3-5x range for home affordability.

23.8 yrs
Price-to-Rent Ratio

Years to break even buying vs renting at median home value and rent.

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 28602 in Hickory city, NC, a household would need roughly $50,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $1,158. That sits below the local median household income ($56,031), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

Housing Tenure

Vacancy rate 11% — check local market conditions.

Heating Fuel
Housing Metrics
Owner Occupied
66.2%+1% vs US avg
x
Vacancy Rate
10.9%+5% vs US avg
x
Broadband Access
84.6%-3% vs US avg
x
4+ Bedrooms
2.1%-86% vs US avg
x
Built Pre-1939
6.4%-50% vs US avg
x
Built Post-2014
1.4%-79% vs US avg
x
Rent Burden >30%
13.5%-73% vs US avg
x
Mortgage-Free
39.0%+2% vs US avg
x
$180,300
Home Value
$632
Rent
1980
Year Built
2011
Moved In

Residents have lived here since ~2011 on average

Housing Structure

Census ACS structure types (single-family, multi-unit, etc.).

  • 1-unit detached67.8%
  • 1-unit attached2.0%
  • 2-9 units9.8%
  • 10+ units8.9%
  • Mobile home & other11.5%

Housing & Real Estate key statistics

Housing statistics
Housing
Median home value$180,300
Median rent$632
Owner-occupied66.2%
Vacant10.9%
Price-to-income3.2x
Est. income to buy$50,000