The Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the area in the Catawba Valley region of Western North Carolina consisting of four counties: Caldwell, Catawba, Alexanderand Burke. It is an important economic hub for the Western Piedmont region furniture making, textiles and food processing industries.
| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2026 | 2031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 340,084 | 363,818 | 372,743 | 378,555 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Population | 2026 |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | 18,163 |
| 5-9 | 19,768 |
| 10-14 | 20,239 |
| 15-19 | 21,360 |
| 20-24 | 20,333 |
| 25-29 | 22,034 |
| 30-34 | 24,008 |
| 35-39 | 22,363 |
| 40-44 | 21,592 |
| 45-49 | 22,383 |
| 50-54 | 25,273 |
| 55-59 | 26,022 |
| 60-64 | 27,170 |
| 65-69 | 25,043 |
| 70-74 | 20,761 |
| 75-79 | 17,117 |
| 80-84 | 10,728 |
| 85+ | 8,386 |
| 18+ | 301,697 |
| Median Age | 44 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Total | 372,743.00 |
| White Alone | 77.45% |
| Black Alone | 6.56% |
| American Indian Alone | 0.81% |
| Asian Alone | 3.18% |
| Pacific Islander Alone | 0.06% |
| Some Other Race | 5.27% |
| Two or More Races | 6.67% |
| Hispanic Origin | 9.76% |
| Diversity Index | 49.50 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
Back To Top| Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2026 | 2031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 133,271 | 143,835 | 155,724 | 161,058 |
| Housing Units | 144,080 | 161,796 | 174,068 | 180,143 |
| Owner Occupied Units | 112,006 | 117,585 | ||
| Renter Occupied Units | 43,718 | 43,473 | ||
| Vacant Units | 18,344 | 19,085 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 2026 | 2031 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $258,855 | $377,844 |
| Average Home Value | $313,751 | $450,457 |
| <$50,000 | 5,099 | 3,943 |
| $50,000 - $99,999 | 7,626 | 3,094 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 10,170 | 3,982 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 14,061 | 6,421 |
| $200,000 - $249,999 | 16,492 | 10,110 |
| $250,000 - $299,999 | 14,422 | 10,925 |
| $300,000 - $399,999 | 19,960 | 26,101 |
| $400,000 - $499,999 | 10,885 | 20,943 |
| $500,000 - $749,999 | 8,079 | 19,558 |
| $1,000,000 + | 1,254 | 2,852 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Year Range | Houses Built |
|---|---|
| 2010 or Later | 9,250 |
| 2000-2009 | 23,940 |
| 1990-1999 | 28,008 |
| 1980-1989 | 26,681 |
| 1970-1979 | 24,443 |
| 1960-1969 | 18,513 |
| 1950-1959 | 14,143 |
| 1940-1949 | 8,274 |
| 1939 or Before | 10,236 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
Back To Top| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 2026 | 2031 |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household | $67,605 | $77,307 |
| Average Household | $92,464 | $107,452 |
| Per Capita | $38,798 | $45,892 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 2026 |
|---|---|
| <$15,000 | 15,017 |
| $15,000 - $24,999 | 13,253 |
| $25,000 - $34,999 | 11,441 |
| $35,000 - $49,999 | 17,027 |
| $50,000 - $74,999 | 28,286 |
| $75,000 - $99,999 | 22,167 |
| $100,000 - $149,999 | 25,761 |
| $150,000 - $199,999 | 10,316 |
| $200,000+ | 12,454 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
Back To Top| Category | Commuters |
|---|---|
| Workers 16+ | 166,347 |
| In-County Residents | 111,561 |
| Out-of-County Residents | 53,415 |
| Drive Alone | 135,667 |
| Carpooled | 16,439 |
| Public Transport | 157 |
| Work at Home | 11,853 |
| Motorcycle | 77 |
| Bicycle | 187 |
| Walked | 913 |
| Other | 1,016 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 3,997 |
| 5-9 minutes | 15,182 |
| 10-14 minutes | 25,602 |
| 15-19 minutes | 29,799 |
| 20-24 minutes | 23,210 |
| 25-29 minutes | 12,579 |
| 30-34 minutes | 16,937 |
| 35-39 minutes | 5,260 |
| 40-44 minutes | 3,874 |
| 45-59 minutes | 8,540 |
| 60-89 minutes | 5,343 |
| 90+ minutes | 4,169 |
| Average Travel Time | 0 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Employees | 163,710 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt | 653 |
| Mining | 56 |
| Utilities | 551 |
| Construction | 5,879 |
| Manufacturing | 26,278 |
| Wholesale Trade | 7,752 |
| Retail Trade | 24,005 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers | 5,115 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str | 3,209 |
| Electronics & Appl Store | 208 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip | 1,820 |
| Food & Beverage Stores | 5,058 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores | 1,215 |
| Gasoline Stations | 537 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store | 981 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music | 1,794 |
| General Merchandise Str | 4,068 |
| Transportation/Warehouse | 7,337 |
| Information | 1,873 |
| Finance & Insurance | 2,800 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn | 1,419 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv | 493 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other | 888 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing | 2,899 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv | 6,987 |
| Legal Services | 742 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises | 230 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt | 3,024 |
| Educational Services | 10,935 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist | 23,160 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec | 2,910 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs | 13,596 |
| Accommodation | 900 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places | 12,696 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin | 10,036 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance | 1,342 |
| Public Administration Emp | 12,694 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area | 2026 |
|---|---|
| <9th Grade | 9,386 |
| Some High School | 21,497 |
| GED | 17,505 |
| Graduated High School | 72,503 |
| Some College/No Degree | 50,417 |
| Associates Degree | 36,359 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 43,682 |
| Graduate Degree | 21,531 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
Back To Top| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Businesses | 12,618 |
| Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus | 113 |
| Mining Bus | 8 |
| Utilities Bus | 22 |
| Construction Bus | 930 |
| Manufacturing Bus | 736 |
| Wholesale Trade Bus | 396 |
| Retail Trade Bus | 1,922 |
| Motor Veh/Parts Dealers Bus | 325 |
| Furn & Home Furnish Str Bus | 146 |
| Electronics & Appl Store Bus | 56 |
| Bldg Matl/Garden Equip Bus | 173 |
| Food & Beverage Stores Bus | 291 |
| Health/Pers Care Stores Bus | 160 |
| Gasoline Stations Bus | 107 |
| Clothing/Accessory Store Bus | 147 |
| Sports/Hobby/Book/Music Bus | 287 |
| General Merchandise Str Bus | 229 |
| Transportation/Warehouse Bus | 299 |
| Information Bus | 189 |
| Finance & Insurance Bus | 573 |
| Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn Bus | 209 |
| Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv Bus | 150 |
| Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other Bus | 214 |
| Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus | 627 |
| Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus | 827 |
| Legal Services Bus | 173 |
| Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus | 38 |
| Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus | 428 |
| Educational Services Bus | 251 |
| HealthCare/Social Assist Bus | 1,166 |
| Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus | 251 |
| Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus | 871 |
| Accommodation Bus | 85 |
| Food Srv/Drinking Places Bus | 786 |
| Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus | 1,888 |
| Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus | 298 |
| Public Administration Bus | 555 |
Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31
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Caldwell County ranked 20th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties for wage growth in 2023. Since 2015, wages have grown an impressive 51.5%.
Powered by an economy that has hit its stride and turbocharged by a track record of innovation, Caldwell County is the best of NC.
Move right into one of our existing manufacturing buildings. The infrastructure is in place and a trained workforce is ready.
NC has increased production of renewables by nearly 52%, double the average of all 50 states
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Caldwell County is building on its historic manufacturing legacy while embracing the industries of tomorrow. With affordability, a strategic location, and a skilled workforce, the county is a prime destination for business growth and investment.
The Blue Ridge foothills, Pisgah National Forest and Wilson Creek are our playgrounds for biking, off-roading, watersports, hiking, hunting, fishing and camping.
Explore scenic vistas, historical sites, art, breweries, wineries, eateries and more along this world famous route.
Whether we’re celebrating art, butterflies, blackberries, BBQ or wine, the calendar is full of Southern charm.
Record numbers of new businesses and industries have registered in Caldwell: 250-500 each year since 2018. The CCC&TI Business Center is ready to assist.
CCED works closely with CCC&TI and local manufacturers to meet the workforce needs of employers.
Caldwell County would like to recognize our county's manufacturers during Manufacturing Week, Oct 2nd-Oct 6th, 2026. Below is a list of local events in support of our manufacturing industry.
Golf Tournament - Country Club - Tuesday, Oct 3rd - 8am to 4pm
Business Luncheon - Restaurant - Wednesday, Oct 4th - 11:30am to 1:30pm
Facility Tours for HS Students - Thursday, Oct 5th - 8am to 4pm
Explore the Caldwell County Itinerary for food, shopping, highlights, lodging and adventures! We invite locals and visitors to delight in the journey and the destination.
Caldwell County has the most extensive collection of permanent public outdoor sculptures per capita in the U.S. Our annual Sculpture Celebration is the largest in the South.
Life in Caldwell County can be full of adventure. Spend the day exploring parks, mountains, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and biking.
