Upcoming CONNECTIONS@Work Events

Relocation Resources

Welcome to Catawba County! We are excited that you are considering relocating to our area. For valuable resources, data, and demographics, we invite you to download our 2024 Relocation Guide here.

Click here for downloadable maps of Catawba County.

 

VITAL SERVICES
Emergency, Police, Fire, Ambulance or Rescue Units 911
Catawba County Sheriff (828) 464-3112
NC Highway Patrol (828) 466-5500
FBI (828) 322-8513
SBI (828) 294-2226
US Marshall (Charlotte) (704) 344-6234
Animal Control (Hickory) (828) 464-3112
Animal Control (County) (828) 464-3112
NC Highway Patrol (828) 466-5500

POLICE DEPARTMENTS (non-emergency)
Catawba (828) 241-4888
Brookford (828) 322-4903

Claremont (828) 459-9295
Conover (828) 464-4698
Hickory (828) 324-2060
Long View (828) 327-2343
Maiden (828) 428-5005
Newton (828) 465-7430

FIRE DEPARTMENTS (non-emergency)
Catawba (828) 241-4955
Claremont (828) 459-9296
Conover (828) 464-1295
Hickory (828) 323-7420
Long View (828) 322-1311
Maiden (828) 428-5028
Newton (828) 695-4314

MEDICAL & URGENT CARE
AFC Urgent Care, Hickory (828) 419-1105
Poison Control (800) 848-6946

Bowen Primary & Urgent Care (828) 325-0950
Catawba Valley Medical Center (828) 326-3000
Frye Regional Medical Center (828) 325-5000
Frye Care-Unifour Urgent Care/Conover (828) 267-0551

OTHER RESOURCES


HOSPITALS

Catawba Valley Medical Center  |  820 Fairgrove Church Road, Hickory NC 28602   |  (828) 326-3000  |  www.catawbavalleymc.org

Frye Regional Medical Center  |  420 North Center Street, Hickory NC 28601  |  (828) 315-5000  |  www.fryemedctr.com

 

UTILITIES

Electricity

Duke Energy  |  800-777-9898  |  www.dukeenergy.com

ElectricCities of NC, Inc.  |  (919) 760-6000  |  www.electricities.com 

Energy United   |  (800) 522-3793  |  www.energyunited.com 

 

Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas  |  828-322-1613 or 800-752-7504  |  www.piedmontng.com


Telephone

AT&T (Claremont, Conover, Maiden, Newton, Sherrills Ford)  |  (800) 767 2355  |  www.att.com |allconnect.com

CenturyLink (Brookford, Catawba, Long View, Hickory, Terrell)  |  (828) 328-0200  |  www.centurylink.com


Cable

Charter Communications   |  (828) 322-2288 or 866-472-2200  |  http://www.charter-business.com

 

Internet

AT&T (Claremont, Conover, Maiden, Newton, Sherrills Ford)  |  (800) 767-2355  |  https://www.attinternetservice.com/call/

Charter Communications   |  (828) 322-2288 or 866-472-2200  |  http://www.charter-business.com

CenturyLink (Brookford, Catawba, Long View, Hickory, Terrell)  |  (828) 328-0200  |  www.centurylink.com

North Carolina Wireless  |  (828) 322-1505  |  www.lightleap.com

 

SANITATION:

Garbage Disposal Service (GDS)  |  (828) 256-2158   |  www.republicservicesofnc.com 

WATER & SEWER (See Local Municipality)


Media:

Newspapers

Charlotte Observer  |  800-532-5350  |  www.charlotte.com

FOCUS Newspaper  |  (828) 322-1036  |  www.focusnewspaper.com

Hickory Daily Record  |  (828) 322-4510 or 800-876-8586  |  www.Hickoryrecord.com

Observer News Enterprise  |  (828) 464-0221  |  www.observernewsonline.com

Radio / TV Stations

WFHE-FM 90.3 WFAE-FM 90.7  |  (800) 876-9323  |  www.wfae.org 

WHKY-AM 1290 / WHKY-TV 14  |  (828) 322-5115  |  www.whky.com   

WKVS-FM / KICKS 103.3    |  (828)758-1033  |  www.foothillsradio.com

WNNC-AM 1230 / WAIZ AM 630 / WXRC-FM 95.7 THE RIDE  |  (828) 464-4041  |  www.957theride.com 

WLON-AM 1050 /WCSL-AM 1590/WZGM-AM 1350 &

WGNC-AM 1450/WOHS-AM 730/WADA-AM1390  |  (704) 735-8072  |  www.hrnb.com 

 

NC Drivers License Agencies

1158 Lenoir-Rhyne Blvd SE – Hickory (828) 326-9126

Hwy 321 South – Newton (828) 466-5516

www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us

 

NC License Plates/Tag Agencies

901 Hwy 321 NW Ste 100, Hickory  |  (828) 328 3783

Catawba Village Shopping Center  |  803 West Conover Blvd  |  (828) 464-6878

www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us 

 

Register To Vote

Voter Registration  |  (828) 465-8440  |  www.catawbacountync.gov


School Registration

Catawba County Schools  |  (828) 464-8333  |  www.catawbaschools.net 

Hickory Public Schools  |  (828) 322-2855  |  www.hickoryschools.net  

Newton-Conover Schools  |  (828) 464-3191  |  http://www.newton-conover.org/

 

US Post Office

Catawba (828) 241-1836

Claremont (828) 459-9698

Conover (828) 464-2073

Hickory (828) 328-5503

Maiden (828) 428-8609

Newton (828) 464-4031

Sherrills Ford (828) 478-2241

Terrell (828) 478-2812

 

Municipal Offices

Town of Brookford  |  (828) 322-4903  |  1700 South Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601  |  http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/campcatawba/brookford.htm 

Town of Catawba  |  (828) 241-2215  |  PO Box 70, Catawba NC 28609  |  http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/campcatawba/catawba.htm  

Catawba County  |  (828) 465-8200  |  PO Box 389, Newton NC 28658  |  http://www.catawbacountync.gov 

City of Claremont  |  (828) 459-7009  |  PO Box 446, Claremont NC 28610  |  http:// www.cityofclaremont.org

City of Conover  |  (828) 464-1191  |  PO Box 549, Conover NC 28613  |  www.conovernc.gov 

City of Hickory  |  (828) 323-7424  |  PO Box 398, Hickory  NC 28603  |  http://www.ci.hickory.nc.us/ 

Town of Long View  |  (828) 322-3921  |  2404 1st Avenue SW, Hickory NC 28602  |  http://www.ci.longview.nc.us 

Town of Maiden  |  (828) 428-5000  |  PO Box 125, Maiden NC 28650  |  http://www.maidennc.com 

City of Newton  |  (828) 465-7400  |  PO Box 550, Newton NC 28658  |  http://www.newtonnc.gov 

 

Other County & State Offices

NC Dept of Revenue  |  877-252 3052  |  1985 Tate Blvd SE Ste 362 (First Plaza Building), Hickory NC 28602  |  www.dor.state.nc.us 

NC Employment Security Commission  |  (828) 466-5535  |  www.ncesc.com 

Small Business Technology & Development Center   |  (828) 345-1115  |  www.SBTDC.org

Economic Development Corporation  |  (828) 267-1564  |  www.catawbaedc.org

Social Security Commission  |  (888) 877-1615  |  www.socialsecurity.gov 

 

Catawba County Offices (Miscellaneous)

Board of Elections  |  (828) 465-8440  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/elect

Building Inspections  |  (828) 465-8399  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/u&e/building.asp

Environmental Health  |  (828) 465-8270  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth/ehmain.asp

Government Center  |  (828) 465-8200  |  www.catawbacountync.gov

Planning & Zoning  |  (828) 465-8380  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/planning

Public Information Officer  |  (828) 465-8464

Tax Office  |  (828) 465-8404  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/tax

Dept of Social Services  |  (828) 695-5600  |   www.catawbacountync.gov/dss

Health Department  |   (828) 695-5800  |  www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth

 

Catawba County Schools

PO Box 1010  |  2285 N. Anderson Avenue, Newton NC 28658

(828) 464-8333  |  Fax (828) 464-0925

www.catawbaschools.net 

 

Total Enrollment: 17,238

Total Budget: $148 Million

# of Elementary Schools: 16

# of Middle Schools: 5

# of High Schools: 5

# of Early College High Schools: 1

 

Newton-Conover City Schools

Dr. Aron Gabriel, Superintendent

605 North Ashe Ave, Newton NC 28658

(828) 464-3191  |  Fax (828) 466-0063

www.nccs.k12.nc.us

 

Total Enrollment: 3165

Total Budget: $31.2 Million

# of Elementary Schools: 3

# of Middle Schools: 1

# of High Schools: 2

 

Hickory Public Schools

Dr. Jennifer Griffin Superintendent

432 4th Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602

(828) 322-2855  |  Fax (828) 322-1834

www.hickoryschools.net 

 

Total Enrollment: 4293

Total Budget: $38.0 Million

# of Elementary Schools: 5

# of Middle Schools: 2

# of High Schools: 2

# of Alternative Schools: 1

 

Private Primary & Secondary Schools

Catawba County offers a variety of private, special and alternative schools from which families can choose.  All schools listed below are members of the The Chamber of Catawba County

 

Concordia Christian Day School, 4 year old Preschool through 8th Grade

(828) 464-3011  |  www.concordialutheran.net

 

Conover School

Ages 3 through 21, Accommodating the Mentally/Physically Handicapped

(828) 465-6470

 

Hickory Christian Academy

K4 through 10th Grade  |  (828) 324-5405

www.hickorychristianacademy.com

 

Hickory Day School

K through 8th Grade

(828) 256-9492  |  www.hickoryday.org

 

St. Stephens Lutheran School

3 year old Preschool through 8th Grade

(828) 256-2166  |  www.sslswarriors.org

 

Tabernacle Christian School

K3 through 12th Grade

(828) 324-9936  |  www.tabernaclehickory.org

 

Tri-City Baptist Church & Christian School

K4 through 12 Grade

(828) 465-6644  |  www.tcbc.org 

 

Day Care & Child Development

The Children’s Resource Center  |  (828) 328-8228  |  www.childrensresourcecenter.org

Quality Care Child Development Center, LLC  |  (828) 256-4447

YMCA of Catawba Valley – Adrian L. Shuford, Jr. Branch  |  (828) 464-6130  |  www.ymcacatawbavalley.org 

YMCA of Catawba Valley – Hickory Foundation Branch  |  (828) 324-2858  |  www.ymcacatawbavalley.org

 

Higher Education

Appalachian State University  |  PO Box 32100, Boone, NC  28608

(828) 262-2000  |  www.appstate.edu

 

Catawba Valley Community College  |  2550 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC  28602-9699

(828) 327-7000  |  www.cvcc.edu

 

Gardner-Webb University  |  2760 US-70 SE, Hickory, NC 2860

(828) GWU-GOAL  |  www.gardner-webb.edu/goal

 

Lenoir-Rhyne University  |  625 7th Ave NE, Hickory NC 28601

(828) 328-1741  |  www.lr.edu 

 

Western Carolina University  |  138 Cordelia Camp, Cullowhee, NC 28723

(828) 448-3507  |  www.wcu.edu

 

Key Facts

Population (2022)

Catawba County 157,613

Hickory Metropolitan MSA* 365,276

Median Age: 41

Minority Population 35,138

*Includes Alexander, Burke, Caldwell & Catawba Counties

Source: NC Office of Management & Budget, 2012

 

Economic Indicators

Average Household Size: 2.6

Households: 62,417

Total disposable household income (Catawba County) 2015 $2,593 billion

Median household income 2019 $52,436

Total retail sales (Catawba County 2020-21) $2.89 billion 

Source: NC Department of Commerce, EDIS

database, 2012 American Community Survey

 

Population

Brookford 382

Catawba 606

Claremont 1,366

Conover 8,207

Hickory 40,086

Long View 4,882

Maiden 3,360

Newton 12,971

Catawba County 154,992

Hickory MSA* 366,359

*Includes Alexander, Burke, Caldwell & Catawba Counties

 

General Information

Largest City: Hickory

Total Area 413.79 sq miles

Land Area 400.4 sq miles

Elevation 1165 feet above sea level

Ave. Annual rainfall 50 inches

County Seat: Newton

 

Getting your NC Driver’s License

  • All new residents of North Carolina who plan to operate a motor vehicle in this state must obtain a driver’s license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence. To apply, you must appear in person at one of the state’s divers license offices and take the required tests.

  • Motor vehicle laws vary from state to state. Therefore, you are encouraged to become familiar with North Carolina’s license requirements and traffic laws by reading the DMV Driver’s Handbook. A book can be obtained at your local office or online at www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us.

  • Residents within the state have 60 days to report a change of address or name.

  • To obtain a license for the first time, a birth certificate, Social Security Card or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and proof of residency must be presented.

  • Contact the local DMV Driver’s License Office for a list of acceptable documents (828) 326-9126 or (828) 466-5616. www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us.

 

Tags & Registration For Your Vehicle

  • Typically residents have 30 days to apply for new tags.

  • You should obtain a NC Driver’s License.

  • Proof of liability insurance, title (if paid for), and current out of state registration   card are required.

  • If your vehicle title is held by a lien holder (usually a bank or financed company), you must furnish the lien holder’s name/address and current out of state registration card.

  • Residents within the state have 60 days to report a change of address or name.

  • For more information (i.e. leased vehicles, costs, etc.), contact the local NC ~License Plate/Tag Agency (828) 328-3783 or (828) 464-6878  www.dmv.state.nc.us.

 

Voting

To register to vote in North Carolina, a person must sign a voter declaration affirming that:

  • You are a U.S. citizen.

  • You will have been a resident of North Carolina and Catawba County for 30 days before the election.

  • You will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.

  • You are neither registered nor will you vote in any other county or state.

  • If you have been a convicted felon you must have your citizenship restored.

  • Registration is handled by the Catawba County Board of Elections (828) 464-2424 or go online at www.sboe.state.nc.us

 

Taxes

For a complete list of taxes contact (828) 465-8408 or visit www.catawbacountync.gov

 

City/County Taxes

Property Tax (2021-2022)

Brookford $.52/$100

Catawba County $.575/$100

Catawba, Town of $.58/$100

Claremont $.49/$100

Conover $.50/$100

Hickory $.6275/$100

Long View $.57/$100

Maiden $.38/$100

Newton $.48/$100

 

Vehicle Tax

Catawba County $.53/$100

 

State Taxes

Corporate Income Tax 2.5%

State Income Tax 6% – 8.25%

Local State Sales Tax  7%

All property is subject to county tax plus fire or municipality tax.

 

Transportation

Driving distance to Catawba County, in miles (Hickory, NC)

Charlotte NC 47

Nashville, TN 307

Baltimore, MD 357

Orlando, FL 498

Raleigh, NC 150

Chicago, IL 543

Philadelphia, PA 448

New Orleans, LA 634

Charleston, SC 217

Atlanta, GA 223

Richmond, VA 247

Washington, DC 322

 

Major Thoroughfares:

Interstate-40 East/West, HS Highway 70 East/West, US Highway 321 North/South, Interstate-77 North/South (within 25 miles)

 

Airports:

Hickory Regional Airport  |  (828) 323-7408

Charlotte/Douglas International Airport  |  (704) 359-4027

Piedmont Triad International Airport  |  (336) 665-5600

 

Bus:

Greenway Public Transportation (local.county public transportation)  |  (828) 464-9444

 

Weather

Catawba County is renowned for year-round beautiful weather while still enjoying all four seasons.

The sun shines an average 210 days a year.

Average annual snowfall 7.8 inches.

Average rainfall is 50.7 inches.

Average relative humidity is 74%.

Average January low temperature is 27 degrees F.

Average July high temperature is 87 degrees F.

Elevation 1165 feet above sea level.

 

North Carolina State Symbols

Flower……………………….   Dogwood

Bird…………………….………..Cardinal

Tree…………………….….Longleaf Pine

State Mammal……….……Gray Squirrel

State Insect………………….Honey Bee

State Rock……………………….Granite

State Dog…………..………..Plott Hound

Precious Stone………………….Emerald

State Beverage……………………….Milk

State Nickname       “The Tar Heel State”

State Color…..……………Blue and Red

 

Parks

Hickory City Parks – For additional information contact 828-322-7046

http://www.hickorync.gov/recreation-and-sports-tourism

 

Catawba County Parks

http://www.catawbacountync.gov/parks/

 

Newton City Parks – For additional information contact (828) 695-4317

http://newtonnc.gov/departments/recreation/index/index.php