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Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton metropolitan area

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Hickory Metro
Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Union Square in Downtown Hickory
Union Square in Downtown Hickory
Map
Interactive Map of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC MSA, also known as The Unifour.
Country United States
State North Carolina
Principal cities - Hickory
 - Lenoir
 - Morganton
Area
 • Metropolitan Statistical Area1,666 sq mi (4,310 km2)
 • Land1,637.72 sq mi (4,241.7 km2)
 • Water34.28 sq mi (88.8 km2)
 • Urban
116.174 sq mi (300.89 km2)
Elevation
686−5,920 ft (93−780 m)
Population
 • Density220/sq mi (80/km2)
 • Urban
120,656
 • Metro
365,949
GDP
 • Metro$18.281 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)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.[2]

Area

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Counties

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Anchor city

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  • Hickory Catawba/Burke/Caldwell 43,490

Principal cities

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Suburban towns and cities over 5,000 in population

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(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)

Suburban towns and cities under 5,000 in population

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(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)

Unincorporated communities

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(Including county and 2020 U.S. census population)

Transportation

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Mass transit

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Greenway Public Transportation offers bus service to the cities of Conover, Hickory, Morganton, and Newton.

Roads

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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.

Air

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The region's primary general aviation airport is Hickory Regional Airport. The closest commercial airports are Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Asheville Regional Airport.

Rail

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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.[3]

Higher education

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Demographics

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As of the census[4] 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.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Total Gross Domestic Product for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (MSA)". Federal Reserve Economic Data. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  2. ^ "Table 1. Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009 (CBSA-EST2009-01)". 2009 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2010-03-23. Archived from the original (CSV) on June 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  3. ^ Infrastructure Archived 2014-08-26 at the Wayback Machine, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved 16 June 2014)
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.