The City of Hickory is located in the western portion of North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles northwest of Charlotte, 80 miles east of Asheville, and 35 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The anchor city of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA (estimated 2018 population - 371,475), Hickory's most recent population estimate was 40,932.
Hickory spans approximately 30 square miles and resides at the prime juncture of I-40 and U.S. 321, which makes it an excellent location for industrial, retail, and residential development. Citizens enjoy the advantages of a setting that allows easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains; the Catawba chain of lakes, including Hickory, James, Rhodhiss, Lookout Shoals, and Norman; a mild climate; and excellent interstate, rail, and air access. The City operates a top-rated library system and provides unparalleled cultural offerings for a city of this size.
Daytime Population & Business Summary American Community Survey Summary



