$270,765Average Value$182Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Hickory and Forest Hills residents get things done
In the summer of 1944, a polio outbreak swept through North Carolina’s Piedmont region, particularly the Catawba Valley area. When hospitals in larger population centers such as Charlotte became flooded with patients, the decision was made to open one in Hickory, the center of the epidemic. The response from residents was unprecedented, and thanks to the community-wide effort, the facility was completed in only 54 hours. This accomplishment became known as “The Miracle of Hickory,” and although the hospital has since been torn down, plaques commemorating locals’ efforts remain at Forest Hills’ Jaycee Park, the site of the facility. But Hickory residents haven’t run out of projects to work on, and many of these continue to benefit Forest Hills and Hickory as a whole. “We did a $40 million bond referendum to build pedestrian trails like the Riverwalk which passes by the neighborhood,” says Teresa Hensley, real estate broker with Realty Executives of Hickory. “It’s really bringing a lot of people to Forest Hills.” Thanks to US Highway 321 and Old Lenoir Road, Forest Hills residents can also easily enjoy the many new restaurants and shops downtown which have come, in no small part, because of the City Walk, another trail funded by the bond. “Forest Hills is very convenient to everything,” Hensley says. “It’s an older neighborhood, but there are some beautiful homes there, and they’re near the airport, parks and other attractions.”
Forest Hills is aptly named for the beautiful old growth trees and rolling hills of the area.
Forest Hills has beautiful rolling hills throughout the neighborhoods with homes perched atop.
Forest Hills is perfectly located for residents between Lake Hickory and Downtown Hickory.
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Midcentury homes and townhouses
Forest Hills’ residential streets branch off 12th Street Drive Northwest, rolling over gentle slopes and through mature forests. Sidewalks are uncommon, except along this main thoroughfare. Most homes follow ranch-style designs, but there are some Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and split-levels. Many date to the 1940s when the neighborhood was first platted, and 21st century constructions are hard to come by. Detached homes range from $200,000 to $400,000. Townhouses at Forest Hills Townhomes go for between $150,000 and $200,000. On average, houses sell after 13 days on the market, much than 30 days faster than the national average of 44 days.
Residents in Forest Hills enjoy the friendly and safe neighborhood streets throughout the area.
Many of the homes in Forest Hills have unique character and charm that locals love.
Beautiful architectural style compliment one another along the streets of Forest Hills.
Townhomes bring an affordable option for homeownership to residents of Forest Hills.
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Schools with good ratings and a few colleges
Viewmont Elementary is about a 3-mile drive to the east. The school, along with Grandview Middle, receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Hickory High is B-rated and ranked by Niche as among the top 10% “best high schools for athletes in North Carolina.” Appalachian State University’s newly opened Hickory campus is within a mile of Forest Hills. Other higher education institutions within the town include Lenoir-Rhyne University, a private Lutheran school, and Catawba Valley Community College.
Grandview Middle School receives an overall rating of B- from niche.com.
Viewmont Elementary School beats the national average with a 16:1 student to teacher ratio.
Hickory High School ensures young learners are prepared for life beyond graduation.
Residents of Forest Hills are a few minutes from Appalachian State University's Hickory campus.
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Close to US 321, and Interstate 40 isn’t much farther
Overall, Forest Hills is a car-dependent community, with limited sidewalks. US Route 321 runs just west of Forest Hills, linking up to US Route 70 and Interstate 40. Charlotte is about 60 miles south, and drivers can expect heavy traffic during the last several miles of the commute. Many residents don’t need to go far for work, though. Hickory was known as “The Furniture Capital of the World” in the early 20th century and has retained a lot of manufacturers. “Furniture places are still some of the biggest employers in the area,” says Josh Ritchie, real estate agent with Re/Max who has 7 years of experience selling in the area. Other employers include Corning and Frye Regional Medical Center, a hospital 2 miles east of Forest Hills. The non-commercial Hickory Regional Airport is right across US 321. “I was born and raised in nearby Long View, and the airport isn’t noisy,” Hensley says.
I-40 provides convenient and easy travel through the area for Forest Hills locals.
US 321 is another great transit option in the area for Forest Hills residents.
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Walking, biking and boating by Forest Hills
Forest Hills residents are between four local parks, one of which is Glenn C. Hilton Jr. Memorial Park. “You can rent the covered pavilions for events and parties,” Hensley says. “They’ve also got trails that go out to where the ducks are where people can feed them, and they’ve got a canoe and kayak launch.” There’s also Geitner Park, which offers mountain bike trails and a hiking path which links up to the Riverwalk, a 2.3-mile waterfront trail. Residents can take advantage of Geitner Park’s boat ramp access to Lake Hickory.
There is a beautiful paved trail along the banks of Lake Hickory at Geitner-Rotary Park.
Forest Hills locals can enjoy the fun lake activities just minutes away on Lake Hickory.
Popular with local families during a visit to downtown Hickory is Lowes Foods Park.
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New restaurants coming to Downtown Hickory
Whether they’re looking for a quick bite or a formal dining experience, many residents love heading downtown for an evening out. “Downtown Hickory’s booming on the weekends and just about every day of the week,” Hensley says. “They’ve brought in a lot of new restaurants and breweries, and they’re all packed.” One such establishment is the Olde Hickory Station, a renovated train depot that offers craft beers, baked goods and American fare. Ritchie is particularly fond of the restaurant’s shrimp and grits. “A lot of times with shrimp and grits, you’ll get a bowl of grits, but theirs is different. Their grits are somehow thick enough to be made into a patty with a buttery, crispy edge. And they’re served with a skewer of shrimp,” he says. Other local favorites include Backstreets, known for their homemade, stone-fired pizzas, and Cowa-Saké, a brunch spot. For shopping, there is a Food Lion in Longview and a Lowes Foods and Lowe’s Home Improvement in Viewmont.
Hatch Sandwich Bar is a popular stop for lunch in Hickory and just minutes from Forest Hills.
Forest Hills locals enjoy the delicious food and friendly staff of Hatch Sandwich Bar nearby.
Main Chick Jammin' Biscuits is popular for breakfast or lunch for Forest Hills locals.
Forest Hills residents enjoy friendly staff and delicious food at Main Chick Jammin' Biscuits.
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Forest Hills locals can enjoy a game and support the popular local Crawdads baseball team.
Baseball, fireworks and stock car racing
L. P. Frans Stadium, known locally as Crawdads Stadium in honor of the Minor League Baseball team that plays there, is only about a mile away from most Forest Hills homes. “They have fireworks after every game they play,” Ritchie says. The stadium also puts on a fireworks show for the Fourth of July. Hickory Motor Speedway has earned the nickname “The Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars,” and not without cause. “It’s got a lot of history to it. Back in the day, before all the big tracks came, Ralph Earnhardt, Richard Petty and all those guys started on these tracks in places like Hickory,” Ritchie says. Although “America’s Most Famous Short Track,” as the third-of-a-mile loop is also known, no longer hosts major auto races, the venue is still used by NASCAR’s club racing division.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Chris Gettys,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Geitner-Rotary Park
Winkler Park
Art Bench Park
Glenn Hilton Park
Hickory City Park
Lowes Foods City Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Forest Hills
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Forest Hills, Hickory sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Forest Hills, Hickory over the last 12 months is $241,877, up 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don't miss your chance at this beautiful 3BR/2BA NW Hickory home in an amazing location! Only minutes to Geitner Park, the Hickory Riverwalk, high end shopping and dining in Downtown Hickory, the upcoming OLLE Arts District, Lenoir-Rhyne University and Viewmont! Living room features a natural gas fireplace, beautiful hardwood floors and is open to the kitchen area. Freshly painted interior and
Welcome to this beautifully updated all-brick home, offering 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths & full basement near lake and parks. Step inside to find gleaming hardwood floors throughout, fresh paint, and an abundance of natural light that enhances the inviting atmosphere. The updated kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a gas range/oven, and plenty of prep
Debby Bullock-BenfieldWeichert, Realtors - Team Metro
One-of-a-Kind Townhome with Stunning Updates & Open Design! This unique and beautifully updated townhome is a rare find in many ways, with it being the only one of it's size in the entire community. This townhome offers modern upgrades and an incredible layout that blends mid-century modern style and functionality. Featuring LifeProof flooring, newer carpet, and an HVAC update (2021), this home
GREAT LOCATION!! Convenient to Hwy 321, Interstate 40 and Hwy 70. This lovely 2 BR 1.5 BA townhome has been completely remodeled. The home has plank flooring through out the unit. the kitchen has custom build cabinets with new countertops and stainless steel appliances. Very nice laundry room. Off the kitchen you will find an enclosed private patio with storage. Upstairs you will find 2 nice size
Pam WhiteAllison & White Property Management & Realty
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Chris Gettys,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
668
Median Age
47
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,062
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$120,619
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
46.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.1%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
37/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
