$206,081Average Value$143Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Vintage homes outside of Downtown Hickory at lower price points
The neighborhood of Kenworth sits in the southeast quadrant of Hickory, within walking distance of the town’s bustling Union Square. As with Claremont and Oakwood-Hillcrest, Kenworth offers vintage homes, many of which are starting to get spruced up just like their neighbors to the north. But for now, it’s still much more affordable to purchase a house here than in Claremont. “Kenworth is a very beautiful community. It’s an older neighborhood, but a lot of the houses have been renovated and brought back to their old glory,” says Crystal Gragg, Realtor with Coldwell Banker. And for Crystal Rogers, Realtor with Elite Properties, things are still moving in the right direction. Rogers: “For years, I’ve advocated for people to come to these neighborhoods like Kenworth, which I always knew would come around. I’m glad to see it’s finally happening.” Kenworth has a CAP Index crime score of 9 out of 10, with a 9 in categories such as homicide and sexual assault. The national average of these crime scores is 4.
Most Kenworth streets have sidewalks for locals to meander the beautifully kept neighborhood.
Minimal traditional homes offer a great price point for residents of the popular Kenworth area.
Kenworth is a popular area with a great location for residents just outside of downtown Hickory.
Owners of Kenworth enjoy the freedom of non-HOA communities bringing unique charm and character.
1/4
Traveling around Hickory by bus, going out of town by car
The Greenway Public Transportation bus stops at the Salvation Army on Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast, running hourly each direction. The bus takes commuters to Downtown Hickory, Valley Hills Mall, the Catawba Valley Medical Center, and other destinations in the southeast of Hickory. Drivers are about 2 miles from US Highway 321 and Interstate 40. Charlotte is about 60 miles south, but commuters might face heavy traffic nearer to the Queen City during peak hours.
Kenworth has a great location just outside Downtown Hickory and convenient interstate access.
Kenworth residents enjoy quick and convenient shopping and dining surrounding the area.
Kenworth locals can find the Hickory Greenway Public Transit at stops near the university.
1/3
Vintage Kenworth homes are getting spruced up
Many of Kenworth’s houses date back from the 1920s through the 1960s, and about 50, mostly bungalows, are a part of the Kenworth Historic District. “There might be one or two new constructions in there, but for the most part, it’s an older section with historic homes,” Gragg says. Guidelines regulate how homes in the historic district can be remodeled, but for many homeowners, this is precisely the appeal. “My clients were looking for a house that had a little bit of charm and character. They bought a house that needed some work, but they didn’t mind. A lot of people are fixing up homes to make them more beautiful,” Gragg says. Most historic homes tend to follow American Craftsman bungalow designs, while midcentury homes might be ranch-style or Minimal Traditional. Detached home prices typically range from $130,000 to $200,000, with 21st century builds fetching more, but not exceeding $250,000.
Most of the homes in Kenworth are wonderfully renovated and maintained.
Kenworth is home to some of the most beautiful American craftsman bungalow homes in the city.
There are beautiful vintage homes awaiting a renovation to their glory days in Kenworth.
1/3
Restaurants and stores only found in Hickory
Familiar chains and a few regional options sit along Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast such as Rancho Viejo Mexican Grill and Kickback Jack’s, a sports pub known for their American fare and music bingo events. Downtown Hickory is brimming with local restaurants, breweries and cafes including Taste Full Beans, an artsy coffee shop. “If you go there, you won’t want to go back to Starbucks. It’s locally owned, quaint and decorated with local art. It’s refreshing to not go to a chain coffee shop where everything is the same,” Gragg says. Supermarkets and big box stores such as Aldi and Big Lots line US Highway 70. Hickory made its name for being the capital of American furniture manufacturing, and chairs, sofas and other wares can still be purchased at the Hickory Furniture Mart, which features four stories of galleries.
Downtown Hickory and the great entertainment like Hickory Station is seconds away from Kenworth.
The Olde Hickory Tap Room brings charm and atmosphere to the evening for Kenworth locals.
1/2
Playgrounds, trampolines and movies
In terms of fun and recreation, Kiwanis Park is the centerpiece of Kenworth. The park’s amenities include inclusive playgrounds, baseball diamonds, a splash pad and a long slide. Past the interstate, there’s also Sky Zone Trampoline Park, an amusement center with obstacle courses, dodgeball and lots of trampolines for bouncing. Residents can also stop by Downtown Hickory’s cinema and catch a flick. “The Carolina Movie Theater has been there forever. I think my parents went there when they were young, and I’m 50 years old!” Gragg says. “They have hands down the best popcorn of any movie theater. I don’t know if they put more butter on it or what, but it’s so good. And prices are much more reasonable there than at other movie theaters.”
The Carolina Theater is a beautiful and fun historic location for Kenworth locals can enjoy.
The splash pad at Kiwanis Park is a great place to beat the summer heat in Hickory.
Lowe's Foods Park is a large park with lots of play areas for young visitors in Hickory.
1/3
Public schools with high ratings and a few colleges
W. M. Jenkins Elementary and Northview Middle both receive overall B-plus ratings from Niche, while Hickory High earns a B. Hickory High has seen some athletic success recently, the football and boys tennis teams both winning the 3A state championships in 2023. Lenoir-Rhyne University, a private Lutheran undergraduate and graduate institution, is less than a 2-mile drive north. Other nearby schools of higher learning include Catawba Valley Community College and Appalachian State University’s recently unveiled Hickory campus.
W. M. Jenkins Elementary is a public school located in Hickory, NC.
The brick signage at Northview Middle School in Hickory.
The entrance to Hickory High School.
Kenworth locals can see an exciting game and support the local Lenoir Rhyne University teams.
1/4
Low-key events that bring neighbors together
Residents can meet in Downtown Hickory at The Hum to enjoy live outdoor concerts. The Premier hosts concerts indoors, as well as offering jukebox bingo and Sunday rounds of pickleball, cornhole and other yard games.
Downtown Hickory has so much to offer just blocks away for Kenworth residents.
The Carolina Theater is a beautiful and fun historic location for Kenworth locals can enjoy.
Lowe's Foods Park is a large park with lots of play areas for young visitors in Hickory.
The Hum is a great spot for live music and entertainment throughout the year near Kenworth.
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
Are you familiar with the Kenworth neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Kenworth Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Kenworth, Hickory sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Kenworth, Hickory over the last 12 months is $225,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Turnkey 10-unit townhome complex in Hickory featuring all 2-bed, 1.5-bath, two-story units with private decks and spacious layouts. Several units have been updated within the past two years with new flooring, paint, appliances, and deck improvements. Strong rent history with most units renting between $1,000–$1,130/month and one current vacancy ready for lease. Owner covers City of Hickory water,
Rare opportunity to own a spacious .52-acre buildable lot. Surrounding homes sit on smaller parcels and have recently sold for $290K+, highlighting the strong value potential here. With ample room for your custom home and outdoor space, this property offers both privacy and investment upside. Convenient location with amenities nearby and ready for your vision.Don’t miss this chance to
Naomi BrownHousewell.Com Realty of North Carolina LLC
Endless possibilities with 2.9 acres in the heart of Hickory! Conveniently located within walking distance to HWY 127, HWY 70 & Downtown Hickory. R-4 zoning offers the opportunity for multi-family residential development or small lot single-family development. The back of the property is adjacent to commercial service areas.
Welcome to La Vie at Kenworth Hall Apartments! A truly unique historic property modernized to exceed your expectations. Take advantage of all of the fun and adventure in Hickory! It's within minutes from one of the region's most vibrant college campuses (LR University), beautiful Downtown Hickory, City Walk, restaurants, shopping and more! Apartments are available starting at $850 per month. 1BR
**FIRST MONTH RENT FREE** (for 18-mo leases starting on/before Nov 15 2025)**GARAGE - Rare find!**Large primary bedroom, with TWO walk in closets, and large primary en suite bath with DUAL VANITIESWelcome home to this beautiful, like new, only 1 year old 3 BR, 2 Full, one half BA home has 9 ft ceilings on the main floor, vinyl plank floors throughout open concept first floor,
GREAT LOCATION!! CONVENIENT TO EVERYTHING! This lovely 3 BR 1 Ba has a beautiful kitchen and a large living room. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Pets welcome!!
Pam WhiteAllison & White Property Management & Realty
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.
