ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28601

Part of Hickory, NC

Pop. 53,329·Catawba County·170th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,475/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.4%

Month-over-Month

-0.4%

vs US Median

-$457

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 28601 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28601 · $1,475

More affordable than 75% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$990

1 BR

$1,040

2 BR

$1,260

3 BR

$1,580

4 BR+

$1,910

Research median

$1,260/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 28601 is 0.4% below its high of $1,481 in August 2026, at $1,475 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28601 changed +3.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($67,817) is $1,695 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,580); a 4-bedroom is $1,910.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28601. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,700/yr

At $1,475/mo median

Location

CityHickory

StateNC

CountyCatawba County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, -0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28601 (Hickory, NC) is majority owner-occupied, 36.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

53,329

Median income

$67,817

Median age

41.2

Renters

31.6%

Age distribution

20.6%

22.8%

23.7%

13.2%

19.7%

Under 1820.6%

18–3422.8%

35–5423.7%

55–6413.2%

65+19.7%

Gender

48.6%

51.4%

Male48.6%

Female51.4%

Race & ethnicity

77.1%

White77.1%

Black6.7%

Hispanic10.4%

Asian5.2%

Other0.6%

Education (25+)

22.7%

31.5%

36.1%

No HS diploma9.8%

HS diploma22.7%

Some college31.5%

Bachelor's+36.1%

Housing tenure

68.4%

31.6%

Owner68.4%

Renter31.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28601 in Hickory, NC has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,277 → $67,817

up 12.5%

Population

52,423 → 53,329

up 1.7%

Renter share

34.1% → 31.6%

-2.5 pts

Bachelor's+

34.2% → 36.1%

+1.9 pts

Census figures show median household income at $67,817 today, compared with $60,277 five years earlier. The population has grown by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 52,423 residents to roughly 53,329. Renters now make up 31.6% of households, compared with 34.1% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 28601

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28601

About renting in ZIP 28601

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28601 covers Hickory, NC. The median rent here is $1,475/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,040/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,260/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($67,817/yr), ZIP 28601 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28601?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (about $28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,475/mo in ZIP 28601. The local median household income is $67,817/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28601?

Rent in ZIP 28601 has risen 3.4% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.4% below its high of $1,481 in August 2026.

How does ZIP 28601 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28601 is one of the more affordable among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #170 of 230 at $1,475/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28601 changed +3.4%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.