The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 28638 sells for about $320,000, or $215 per square foot.
Prices are up +15.11% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 57 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $711 a month.
ZIP 28638 — Hudson
The housing market in 28638 shows steady appreciation and solid demand, driven by its affordability compared to larger regional hubs. While inventory remains relatively tight, the market is experiencing a balanced pace of sales, supported by consistent interest from local buyers and commuters.
This ZIP is well-suited for family buyers and commuters seeking a balance between affordability and access to the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton employment corridor.
Median prices moved up 15.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 57 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
26% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.9% · poverty 15.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 9.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 28638, Caldwell County NC
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Schools in the area are primarily served by the Caldwell County School District, which maintains a mix of rural and suburban educational facilities.
The region is subject to standard North Carolina weather risks, including potential for heavy rainfall and localized flooding in low-lying areas near the Catawba River basin.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton manufacturing and furniture hubs, with ongoing infrastructure improvements along the Highway 321 corridor.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level by Caldwell County, with additional municipal levies for incorporated towns within the ZIP code; no state-level property tax is applied.
Residents benefit from direct access to Highway 321, providing a primary arterial route for commuting to employment centers in Hickory, Lenoir, and Boone.
The area offers proximity to Lake Hickory for water sports, local community parks in Hudson, and easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking and outdoor recreation.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and rising costs, with demand influenced by the area's affordability relative to larger nearby metros.
The economy is anchored by manufacturing, furniture production, and healthcare services, with significant employment ties to the broader Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicle use, with Highway 321 serving as the primary transit corridor for the region.
Development is focused on residential expansion in the Hudson and Granite Falls areas, supported by regional infrastructure upgrades.
Caldwell County utilizes a periodic reappraisal cycle to determine property values for tax assessment purposes.
Parcels are subject to Caldwell County property taxes and may fall within specific fire and utility service districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional hazard profiles, including wind and storm risks common to the North Carolina foothills.
North Carolina operates as a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for a streamlined process under the power of sale clause in deeds of trust.
North Carolina requires sellers to provide a Residential Property and Owners' Association Disclosure Statement to buyers.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Major regional reservoir providing boating, fishing, and recreational access.
Local venue for community events and performing arts.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.