NAICS 51

Information in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Metro Market Score 45.4 (Moderate), ranked #157 of 294 metros. 122 establishments, 1,315 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 45.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national information average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Employment in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton's information sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 100.0. Combined with a 45.4 market score, this metro sits in the lower half for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
49.0
LQ: 0.46
Rank #144 of 294 metros
Wage Competitiveness
86.0
$121,283 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 100.0
Employment growth index
Rank #1 of 294 metros
Wage Pressure
58.1
YoY wage change index

122 Information Firms in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

122
Establishments
+4.3% YoY
1,315
Total Employment
+82.9% YoY
$121,283
Average Annual Wage
+45.7% YoY
0.46
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's information market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #28/51 for entry risk.

Measure Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton NC Statewide
Overall Score 45.4 Moderate 45.3 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #157 of 294 metros #28 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton

Construction 19.7 Accommodation and Food Services 30.8 Finance and Insurance 33.1 Other Services 33.5 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 38.4 Retail Trade 42.7 Administrative and Support Services 45.1

Information in Other North Carolina Metros

Goldsboro 10.2 #2/294 Fayetteville 26.9 #45/294 Winston-Salem 34.6 #81/294 Jacksonville 36.4 #92/294 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 37.9 #102/294 Rocky Mount 44.4 #148/294 Greenville 46.9 #169/294 Greensboro-High Point 49.0 #185/294 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 56.8 #220/294 Asheville 64.8 #257/294

+ 2 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton's information sector, the wage competitiveness component (86.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.