10 Best Independent Living Communities in Hickory, NC

Independent Living

For those who would like to live primarily without personal assistance but would like the assistance of having their household chores handled by professionalls, an Independent Living Community may be the perfect choice. Basic needs such as meal preparation and housekeeping are handled by staff and a calendar of recreational and social activities is maintained, allowing residents an opportunity to use their time as they wish, free from daily responsibilities. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to live among peers, in a community with others of similar ages and backgrounds. Residents’ quarters consist of a private living space with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering an opportunity to socialize with guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies differ between communities, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. If medical or nursing support is desired, residents may always utilize the services of private health care professionalls. There are a number of advantages and costs to consider while selecting an independent living community. It is important to figure out if these amenities are covered in the plan: parking, transportation, laundry, meals, utilities, wellness program, Waiting list deposit, and field trips. The benefits and amenities associated with independent living include restaurant-style dining hall, fitness center & swimming pool, healthcare center, concierge services, laundry service, golf course, community activities, and transportation.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of care for a community is influenced by the city in which it is located. Hickory has a median home value of $164,006 and the median cost of rent is about $820 per month. The rent burden for Hickory is about 15.6% of the average monthly income.

Demographics and Values

Of the population of Hickory 11.4% have a graduate degree, 31.6% have a college degree, and 24.9% have a high-school diploma. In Hickory, 8.0% of the citizens are veterans. In Hickory, 13.3% do not have health insurance, 7.8% are widowed, 12.7% have some form of disability, and 17.8% live in poverty. Racially, the population of Hickory is 12.7% black, 9.2% other or not specified, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.1% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 2.3% mixed race, 71.2% white, and 13.4% Hispanic. Hickory has a population density of 529 people per square mile. Out of the total city population, 52.8% are female and 47.2% are male. The median age of Hickory is 38 years old.

State Information

An overview of North Carolina

In terms of resources, North Carolina has a cost of living index of 94.0, a grocery index rating of 96.6, and a housing index rating of 83.1. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. Residents of North Carolina enjoy its natural beauty which ranks 36th in the United States. Overall, North Carolina ranks 18th out of all states in quality of life and 30th in healthcare. There are 123 general hospitals and 236 health centers that provide care for 10,497,679 North Carolina residents. The three highest ranked hospitals in North Carolina are Memorial Mission Hospital And Asheville Surgery Ce, Atrium Health Kings Mountain, and The Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital.

Social demographics of the state

In the last presidential election 46% of North Carolina residents voted Democrat and 50% voted Republican. In terms of religion, 39% of North Carolina residents attend religious services among the 15,737 different congregations that are available in the state. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-35%, Mainline Protestant-19%, and Historically Black Protestant-12%. In North Carolina there are 635 masonic lodges. In terms of diversity, North Carolina ranks 20th in the nation. The median age in the state is 39, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

The average humidity across the state is 71%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of August at around 77%. During the winter, the average temperature in North Carolina drops to around 41F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 62F during the month of December. In the winter months, the average low temperature falls to around 19F during the month of January. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 76F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 92F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 53F in the month of June. The average monthly precipitation for the state of North Carolina is around 4.20 inches. The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 9.06 inches of precipitation a month. On average, North Carolina has an air quality index rating of around 36.0 AQI. The highest seasonal air quality index rating occurs in the month of April with a rating of 45.3 AQI. While residents of North Carolina mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in North Carolina can include hurricanes, floods, and and earthquakes (moderate).

Wildlife to be found in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of redbud, Atlantic white cedar, dragon’s mouth orchid, and bitternut hickory. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the gray bats, the red wolf, the amberjack, or the bobcat. The state animal of North Carolina is the the squirrel.