 The Census Bureau has also defined a larger Hickory–Lenoir Combined Statistical Area that includes the Unifour and the Marion, NC USA of McDowell County.As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 341,851 (though a July 1, 2009, estimate placed the population at 365,364).The Hickory region is served by the major interstate highway I-40 which passes through the center of Catawba and Burke counties.