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Hickory is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 37,222.
History
In the 1790s, a tavern was built in the northwest section of Catawba county. This area became known as Hickory Tavern. This name remained intact for almost 100 years. The city of Hickory was established in 1870.
Over 34,000 people reside in this city today. Hickory is the economic, social, and cultural center of the Catawba Valley. As the recipient of numerous awards, including the 1998 Money Magazine's "most livable place to live" (ranked 16th among medium-sized southern cities) and twice-named an "All American City," Hickory continues to attract tourists, families, and industries to this part of the state.
Hickory was also know as "The Furniture Manufacturing Capital of the World" until recently with the help of NAFTA most plants closed or moved production oversea's. Though it still retains the title as the "birthplace" of duct-tape, originally invented during WWII at Shuford Mills as sealant for burst pipes in submarines the company has sinced changed it's name to Shur-Tape Technologies offering a wide variety of adhesives. Hickory is also home to racing legend Dale Jarrett UPS #88, after winning the Winston-Cup race during the 90's he has since not won anymore races. Hickory made national headlines in 2002 after a rainstorm created one of the largest sinkholes ever, it also swallowed a brand new Corvette in the process. The sinkhole occured in the parking lot of Buffalo's restaurant, the city inspector deemed the building unsafe and the owners closed to do extensive and expensive repair work to the parking lot and building, the restaurant closed within months of reopening.
Geography
Hickory is located at 35°44'16" North, 81°19'42" West (35.737682, -81.328372)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 72.7 km² (28.1 mi²). 72.7 km² (28.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.04% is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 37,222 people, 15,372 households, and 9,361 families residing in the city. The population density is 512.0/km² (1,326.1/mi²). There are 16,571 housing units at an average density of 227.9/km² (590.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.23% White, 14.09% African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.90% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 7.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,372 households out of which 27.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% are non-families. 32.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.35 and the average family size is 2.98.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,236, and the median income for a family is $47,522. Males have a median income of $31,486 versus $23,666 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,263. 11.3% of the population and 8.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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