North Hickory, North Carolina, United States [CDP]; population was 4,299 in 1990; housing units was 1,684 in 1990; location is 35°47'N 81°19'W; land area is 5.22 square miles (3,343 acres); water area is 0.69 square miles (439 acres); FIPS code is 47670 [SourceCBP]