Catawba County, NC

Catawba

Attracting thriving businesses in the telecomm, advanced textiles, automotive and data center industries, Catawba County is situated in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. The county makeup consists of quaint towns, busy cities, rolling countryside, and lakes. Hickory, Newton-Conover, and Maiden are among the popular business hubs, which center on a legacy furniture manufacturing industry, healthcare, and energy.

Catawba County celebrates and supports its vibrant business community by developing a talented workforce through Catawba Valley Community College and Lenoir-Rhyne University, and actively growing its pro-business climate. Through the Edison Project competition, the region seeks out talented entrepreneurs and innovative business start-ups and assists with a viable business launch in the Greater Hickory Metro area.
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Population
164,926

Population

174,307

2030 Population

41.7

Median Age

79,447

Labor Force

1,536,696

Regional Labor Force

Income
20.24/hr

Average Wage

$65,790.00

Median Household Income

Education
86.90%

High School Graduation Rate

57.6%

Post Secondary Degree

Education Break Down

19.8%

Some College

12.7%

Associates Degree

17.6%

Bachelor’s Degree

7.5%

Graduate Degree or Higher

Education Institutions

Appalachian State University

Catawba Valley Community College

Lenoir Rhyne University

Top 5 Largest Sectors By Employment Percentages
15.3%

Production

11.8%

Management

10.3%

Administrative Support

9.6%

Logistics and Distribution

8.6%

Sales

Industry Clusters

Furniture

Government Services

Machining and Metalworking

Food Processing and Manufacturing

Communications Equipment

Plastics

Advanced Textiles

Health Care Centers

Major Employers

Apple

Corning

CommScope

Catawba Valley Medical Center

Microsoft

Pierre

23.5 minutes

Commute Time

Airports

Charlotte International Airport (60-70 minutes)

Hickory Regional Airport

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Scott Millar

Catawba County Economic Development Corporation