| Hickory Metro | |
| Official Name: | Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Settlement Type: | Metropolitan Statistical Area |
| Map Alt: | Map of Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Area |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | North Carolina |
| Subdivision Type3: | Principal cities |
| Subdivision Name3: | - Hickory - Lenoir - Morganton |
| Unit Pref: | US |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 1666 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 1637.72 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 34.28 |
| Area Urban Sq Mi: | 116.174 |
| Population As Of: | 2012 census estimate |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 220 |
| Population Metro: | 365,949 |
| Population Urban: | 120,656 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | MSA |
| Timezone: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation M: | 93-780 |
| Elevation Ft: | 686-5920 |
| Area Code: | 828, 704 |
The Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties, Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, Alexander. It is located in the Catawba Valley region of western North Carolina. Local residents often refer to the area as The Unifour, although this name is largely unknown outside of the region.
The U.S. Census Bureau includes the Unifour in the larger Charlotte-Concord, NC Combined Statistical Area.
The 2000 census gives the MSA's population as 341,851, with a July 1, 2009, estimate placing the population at 365,364.[1]
(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)
(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)
(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)
Greenway Public Transportation offers bus service to the cities of Conover, Hickory, Morganton, and Newton.
The Hickory region is served by Interstate 40 which passes through the center of Catawba and Burke counties.
Other important US highways in the region include: US 70 (east to Morehead City, west to Asheville), and US 321 (through Catawba and Caldwell Counties).
Primary state routes include NC 10, NC 16, NC 18, NC 90, NC 127, and NC 150.
The region's primary general aviation airport is Hickory Regional Airport. The closest commercial airports are Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Asheville Regional Airport.
With approximately twenty freight trains a day, Catawba County is a freight railroad transportation center. This is largely due to the areas strong manufacturing based economy, and its placement along the Norfolk Southern Railway line. The Caldwell County Railroad also serves the county and interchanges with Norfolk Southern in Hickory. Conover has been designated a stop on the future Western NC Rail service.[2]
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 341,851 people, 133,966 households, and 95,583 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 87.47% White, 6.91% African American, 0.25% Native American, 2.31% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.95% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $37,647, and the median income for a family was $44,236. Males had a median income of $29,273 versus $22,266 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $18,404.