Charlotte Fast Facts

Things to Do

Mecklenburg County

Location & Transportation

Known as the Queen City, Charlotte is located in the Piedmont region of the Carolinas, which is two hours east of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 3 hours west of the North Carolina coast. It is also centrally located between Maine and Florida and easily accessible by three major interstates. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country and offers a multitude of direct and non-stop domestic and international flights. In addition, public transportation includes a commuter light rail line, bus routes, Amtrak trains…and the Charlotte Trolley system is a fun way to get around Uptown with its vintage streetcars.

Climate

Charlotte has a mild year-round climate and residents enjoy a spectacular display of foliage throughout all four seasons. Spring and fall are a favorite among most residents with average temperatures in the mid-70s. Our winters are short and mild and, though we have an occasional snowfall, severe winter weather is rare.

Population

Charlotte is the 19th largest city in the U.S. with nearly 800,000 residents making it the largest city in the region and Mecklenburg County, which is home to Charlotte, has a population of nearly 1 million people. With over 7.1 million residents in a 100 mile radius, Charlotte has become one of the largest urban areas in the U.S.

Business Climate

Charlotte has a tremendous pro-business environment and is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country. It has also become a financial, distribution and transportation center for the entire region and is headquarters to many national and international companies. In fact, Charlotte is the 2nd largest banking and financial center in the U.S. Over 325 of Fortune’s top 500 companies have one or more facilities in Mecklenburg County and the region is also a major manufacturing force with over 1,800 manufacturers representing all sectors. The growing number of international companies is of great importance to the area and over 850 foreign-owned companies have Charlotte area facilities.

Education

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system is the largest in the Carolinas and one of the largest employers in the county. There are also dozens of independent, private and charter schools. In addition, the Charlotte region has 35 colleges and universities.

Sports

When it comes to professional and semi-professional sports, the Charlotte region is home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, and minor league hockey, baseball and soccer teams. Each spring, golf fans enjoy the PGA’s Wells Fargo Championship and we are also proud to have the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a world-class training and sports adventure center. Another popular sport in the region is stock car racing and Charlotte is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Museum. Each year, hundreds of thousands of fans cheer on their favorite drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway which is the largest sports facility in the southeast.

Quality of Life

The superb quality of life is one of the main reasons why Charlotte has been named one of the Best Places to Live in the United States. You’ll never be bored with the thousands of options for shopping, dining, cultural opportunities, and indoor or outdoor recreation including sailing, waterskiing, fishing, or boating on Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake. The quieter side to Charlotte is home to hundreds of churches with every religious denomination represented.

Healthcare

Charlotte has a nationally renowned healthcare center with 9 major hospitals in the Charlotte region representing two major healthcare systems: Carolinas HealthCare System and Presbyterian Healthcare. Presbyterian Healthcare has 5 hospitals and Carolinas Healthcare operates 32 hospitals in the Carolinas including Levine Children’s Hospital.

Union County

Facts

• As of 2010, Union County's population is 196,923 people.
• Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 59.32 percent.
• The median home cost in Union County is $172,760.
• Home appreciation the last year has been -6.30 percent.
• Compared to the rest of the country, Union County's cost of living is 2.40% Lower than the U.S. average.
• Union County public schools spend $4,289 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $5,678.
• There are about 17.8 students per teacher in Union County.
• The unemployment rate in Union County is 10.20 percent(U.S. avg. is 10.20%).
• Recent job growth is Negative. Union County jobs have Decreased by 7.20 percent.

A southern Piedmont of North Carolina county, Union County is home to 15 municipalities, each with its own distinctive character. According to recent U.S. Census Bureau figures, Union County is one of the top 20 fastest growing counties in the country. The western portion of Union County is more suburban with numerous neighborhoods and shopping, while the eastern part of the county is more rural with farms and open spaces. People are moving to Union County for both the suburban and rural lifestyles as well as for the abundant recreational activities, access to quality healthcare and highly-rated schools.

Yahoo.com recently released its Top 20 rankings for the best places to live in North Carolina and one local county is getting a lot of praise.Union County has four locations in the Top 20 including the No. 1 and the No. 2 spots. The rankings list Marvin, N.C. as the best place to live in the state followed by Weddington, N.C.   The rankings are based a grading system comprised from three areas: median household income, educational attainment and property crime rates per 1,000 residents.  The other two Union County areas are Waxhaw, which comes in at No. 16 and Wesley Chapel, which ranks at No. 19.

The town of Weddington is primarily populated with estate housing that ranges from $500,000 to well over $2,000,000. Other townships boast a more balanced view of established, executive housing and newly built neighborhoods that center around parks and open spaces to promote a feeling of community. The close proximity of Union County to Charlotte makes the morning and afternoon rush hour commutes to Uptown Charlotte comparable to those of areas north of Charlotte such as Lake Norman and Mooresville.

The Union County Public Elementary Schools (k-8) are nearly all ranked as either an “Honor School of Excellence” or a “School of Distinction.”  The middle schools are slightly below with most schools listed in the “School of Distinction” category, and the high schools are almost all “Honor School of Excellence” ranked.

The city of Monroe is a highly desired destination for new business development with its access to three major interstate systems, state highways, and railways. Since the entire region of the Charlotte-Metro hub is the 2nd largest trucking center in the Southeast and 11th in the nation, Monroe is looked upon as the heart of the region for interstate trade; the deep water ports of Wilmington and Charleston are also not far away, and the Charlotte-Douglas airport is the 6th largest hub in the nation making international trade virtually painless for commerce.

Property Taxes in Union County

The property taxes are slightly lower than the Charlotte-Mecklenburg personal and property taxes with the average running from a simple fire tax in some townships at .01910 per $100 to overall average of Union County at .66550 per $100, in comparison to Charlotte’s 1.19 average per $100.

With the way that Charlotte seems to be spreading her web, Union County will seem to blend in with the rest of Mecklenburg County. We can only hope the taxes and historical community feel do not change.

Neighborhoods

About Public Schools In Charlotte

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg community treats education as its most precious resource, and the Board of Education is dedicated to ensuring that CMS provides “all students the best education available anywhere, preparing every child to lead a rich and productive life.”  CMS is recognized nationally for academic excellence. CMS won the 2011 Broad Prize, which is presented annually to four school districts in the country for elevating their achievement levels. As a winner, the district received $250,000 in scholarships. CMS was a finalist for the Broad Prize in 2004 and 2010.  CMS recently renewed its district accreditation from AdvanceEd, the world’s largest education network. CMS was the first large urban district in N.C. and in the country to earn accreditation more than a decade ago.  CMS serves 142,612 students in pre-K through 12th grade. As the 18th-largest district in the country, CMS has 160 schools and more than 18,000 employees. CMS is big, but its national reputation comes from the outstanding education provided to each student in the district. CMS realizes that what works for one student may not work for another.  CMS class size conforms to state requirements. The Equity Plus program in CMS lowers class sizes in schools with higher percentages of students living in poverty.  

 CMS employs 9,180 full-time teachers and approximately 1,161 administrative staff. More than 3,500 of the district’s certified teachers have advanced degrees. CMS ranks fourth nationwide and second among school districts in N.C. for newly certified National Board teachers. For the 2012-2013 school year, 1,237 CMS teachers were National Board certified. Equivalent to the CPA exam for accountants or the bar exam for lawyers, the National Board certification documents a teacher’s skills. 

 CMS sets high expectations for students and challenges them to reach their fullest potential. Thus, academic rigor and access to challenging courses are top priorities. In 2013, five CMS high schools were ranked among America’s top 1,000 high schools surveyed by Newsweek Magazine.  Enrollment in AP courses increased from 4,079 students in 1995-96 to 12,349 in 2011-2012. As a result of the district’s commitment to academic excellence, CMS was selected as one of 28 school systems across the country to award the first AP diplomas. CMS has increased the number of exams taken from 2,200 in 1995-96 to 8,416 in 2012-2013. Of the 249 IB Diploma candidates, 102 students earned the IB Diploma in 2012-2013. 

School Report Cards

North Carolina Public School Report Cards

South Carolina Public School Report Cards

Public Schools By County

Private, Independent & Charter Schools

North Carolina Private Schools
North Carolina Charter Schools
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
South Carolina Private Schools Review
South Carolina Charter Schools
South Carolina Independent School Association

Colleges & Universities

Ballantyne

Ballantyne is smack dab in the middle of the nation’s fifth most searched zip code and ranked one of the ‘best places to live in the country’ in 2013 by Realtor.com.  This 2,000-acre master-planned community in the heart of south Charlotte is located on a former hunting preserve. Developed on the farmland of the James J. Harris family estate, Ballantyne was created by Smokey Bissell's vision to ‘provide unparalleled access to live, work, play and stay.’ Clearly developers have gotten it right!  Ballantyne is also one of Charlotte's wealthiest ZIP codes according to Charlotte Business Journal and listed as one of the Queen City's “Boomburb,” neighborhoods that are home to younger families who live a busy, upscale lifestyle.  Representing the major hallmarks of Charlotte’s legacy, four 30-foot monuments celebrate the history and future of Charlotte as a transportation hub, technology hub, powerful financial district and place with strong character of human spirit. The community began to evolve in the mid-1990s with the construction of I-485 and rapidly advancing city limits as the Bissell and Harris families developed the land with the development of the neighborhood’s houses and office buildings in 1996.  Today, Ballantyne is recognized nationally as one of the most successfully designed and executed mixed use communities in the nation.  At the heart of Ballantyne is the Ballantyne Hotel and Resort, a four diamond gem that offers resort amenities where famous and infamous people have stayed. Fine dining, award winning spa, tennis, fitness and golf are at your fingertips. Dana Radar Golf School is front and center to the 18 hole PGA golf course where Dana was voted in the top 50 women instructors by Golf Magazine.  Home to Charlotte’s largest concentration of educated and experienced labor, Ballantyne’s high profile tenants include Bank of America, ESPN, MetLife, Snyder's-Lance, Lending Tree, Liberty Mutual and Premier, Inc. With convenient interstate access, a variety of residential options, Class A office, retail and medical space, more than 30 dining choices and entertainment venues, Ballantyne is one of Charlotte’s most premier neighborhoods and strongest contributor to the city’s tax base.

Blakeney

Blakeney is one of Charlotte’s newest neighborhoods and is centered around a  270-acre mixed use development in South Charlotte. Blakeney’s pedestrian friendly commons serves as the center and hub of community gathering for a unique mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Premier national chains, chic boutiques and a variety of restaurants serve all ages.  On any given weekend evening, you will find its center crawling with young families and children out for fun and frequent holiday related events and charity causes.  With easy access to I-485 abutting the Ballantyne neighborhood, Blakeney is an easy commute to uptown Charlotte. Great schools are the hallmark of this area which shares one of the largest and most active YMCA’s in town, the Morrison Family YMCA.

Center City | Uptown

Charlotte’s Center City, or Uptown as some locals call it, is positively booming. Residential construction and population growth are exploding as an abundance of technology, health care, business and financial services jobs bring an influx of young professionals looking for an urban lifestyle in a pristine southern community. Charlotte’s exceptionally strong public/private partnerships and visionary leaders have worked together with neighborhood associations to keep Charlotte growing in the right direction with livable communities. Getting around the city is fun. Ride the GoldRush trolley which is expanding its tracks to run from Elizabeth to Johnson C Smith University, hop on a rickshaw or horse drawn carriage or call Uber. Step outside your door to attend a Panther's or Charlotte Knight's game, sip coffee at Dean & DeLuca, enjoy cutting edge cuisine or enjoy a show at the Blumenthal or one of the many museums. Center City is the place to be!  Charlotte’s Center City is home to four residential wards.  First Ward is an award winning neighborhood featuring urban condos and apartments, townhomes and craftsman houses, a beautiful garden district and parks that anchor this truly mixed income community of more than 1,000 residents. The entire neighborhood was completely rebuilt in 1993 and the success of this renaissance has spurred significant development activity. Time Warner Cable Arena along with the restoration of the Carolina Theater have made the First Ward an epicenter for culture, arts and entertainment. First ward is a learning laboratory with the new UNCC uptown campus, First Ward Elementary and Trinity Episcopal School, the public library, Imaginon (children's library and theater) and Museum of the New South.  Second Ward is primarily a sophisticated business center consisting of elite condominium mid-rises anchored by The Green and the Epicenter.  Second Ward is the site of Wells Fargo national headquarters with recent expansion to four office towers. As part of the expansion, Wells Fargo gifted to the city the nationally renowned park “The Green." The towers at the EpiCenter has become the hub of dining, night life and entertainment for young professionals. A proposed 2nd Ward/Brooklyn Village plan which will create a new neighborhood with different types of housing, restaurants, shops, a state of the art high school and a neighborhood park is currently in the planning stages.  The Third Ward is anchored by Bank of America’s 1.5 million square foot mixed use complex and Gateway Village. You’ll find restored mill houses, charming town homes and gleaming high rises, Center City’s only dog park, a successful community garden, the recently opened Knight’s AAA baseball stadium, Romare Bearden Park, Johnson & Wales University as well as BB&T Stadium in the neighborhood’s backyard. Sunday Panther games become the biggest show in the city filling the streets with tailgate parties and restaurants and bars fiilled to the brim with fans. But it’s not all about sports in this community. Wells Fargo’s Cultural Campus has changed the landscape with the Mint Museum, Knights Theater,The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Harvey Gantt African American Culture Center at its business center.  The historic Fourth Ward neighborhood is one of the most desired center city single family communities. Its narrow tree-lined streets, restored turn-of-the-century gingerbread Victorian homes, luxury condominiums, urban apartments, parks and businesses make Fourth Ward one of America’s most charming inner city neighborhoods. Historic preservation has been key to the neighborhood and it continues to maintain a reverence for its roots. Developers are savvy to this inner city renassaince and built two of Charlotte’s most touted high rise condominium towers, The Vue and the Avenue. Other mid-rise condominium projects such as the Garrison at Graham and the Citadin are bringing an influx of young professionals to Center City. Fourth Ward is also home to The North Carolina Music Factory, a mixed used arts and entertainment complex that includes a 5,000 seat concert venue, restaurants and bars. This is the happening place in the city! 

Cornelius

Cornelius is a quaint little town 20 miles north of Charlotte with a population of 25,000. It is one of three towns that sits on Lake Norman with 70 miles of lakeside property. The damming of the Catawba River in 1963 created one ofthe Charlotte region’s most thriving and desirable suburbs. This family-oriented community is home to choice lakeside property, ten public parks, vibrant retail and office centers, a yacht club and The Peninsula, a championship golf course community.  It also sits next to the town of Davidson, home to Davidson College, the ‘Harvard of the South’ providing Cornelius residents access to its exceptional performing arts program and lectures.  Residents of Cornelius will soon have access to Charlotte’s second Whole Foods which is under construction in neighboring Huntersville. Cornelius has been named by Google as one of the nation’s top digital capitals for having the strongest online business community in North Carolina  With its convenient access to Charlotte’s center city, a thriving small business community and some of the state’s best outdoor recreation, Cornelius is one of Charlotte’s most desirable close in suburbs.

Davidson

This New England style town is located just 20 miles from Charlotte and is known for its college town feel and great neighbors.  This small community is setting the standard for creating healthy and vibrant neighborhoods in a historic setting. Founded by cotton planters, Davidson consisted of small farms and plantations and the area remained very rural into the 20th century when residents founded a Presbyterian college.  Davidson College is one of the nation’s top private universities, ‘the Harvard of the South.’   Davidson has an especially strong sense of community due to the central main street and village green next to campus. Its strong civic leadership are active, engaged citizens.  The high quality of life is attracting development, which the town accommodates partly by revitalizing its existing buildings. Its new neighborhoods incorporate a variety of lot sizes and housing types, including affordable housing and neighborhood parks within a five-minute walk. To preserve and enhance Davidson’s character, the town adopted the Davidson Land Plan in 1995 and an innovative Planning Ordinance in 2001. The ordinance seeks significant public involvement, a critical component for any community that wants to plan where and how it will grow. The town requires pedestrian, bicycle, and street circulation plans for all new development. Streets are designed to discourage cars from speeding, making it easier for Davidson’s 7,800 residents to walk and bicycle around town. To further encourage walking, the town requires narrow, tree-lined streets with on-street parking and sidewalks on both sides of the street.   On any given weekend you’ll find families, children and students on the town green enjoying pick-up football games, play dates, festivals, jugglers, croquet matches and outdoor concerts, including Charlotte Symphony performances as part of the Summer Pops series.  Davidson’s Main Street street has shops, wide sidewalks, a community library and is clearly built for pedestrians and bike riders.  In the last few years, the town has acquired almost 500 acres of open space. Residents will find miles of greenways and walking trails that connect neighborhoods and provide residents with alternate ways to get around town and to access nature up close. Davidson has been facing explosive growth with young families and families with school-aged children moving in.  Yet the community continues to maintain its small-town character and values that make it so unique. 

Dilworth

Dilworth is arguably Charlotte’s strongest neighborhood for young professional families that enjoy both residential and urban lifestyle. Dilworth is known for its stately, mature oak trees, historic bungalows, Queen Anne and Colonial revivals interspersed with Charlotte’s chicest boutiques and restaurants.

Initially designated the Eighth Ward Dilworth was Charlotte’s first streetcar suburb and like Center City, it is built on a grid pattern.  The community prospered as a residential neighborhood for residents commuting to Center City, but as development moved southward after the war, Dilworth, like many other city neighborhoods began fighting to overcome years of blight and decay. In the late 60's, the original Dilworth Community Development Association was formed to rally against further deterioration and encourage a focus on inner city neighborhoods at a time when city planners were focused on the suburbs. DCDA worked to see housing codes enforced and zoning and land use modifications revised. They rallied for preservation and rejuvenation of the neighborhood's rich store of houses and commercial buildings.  Dilworth is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to Charlotte’s largest hospital, Carolinas Medical Center. It is a 861 bed teaching hospital that has the only level one trauma center in the Carolinas and is home to the Levine Children's Hospital and Sanger Heart Clinic.  Dilworth is a destination shopping, dining and entertainment neighborhood with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants along East Boulevard, two of Charlotte’s biggest parks, Latta Park and Freedom park, the Sugar Creek Greenway and Freedom Park Nature Center. Each year, residents delight in two of Charlotte’s largest festivals, the Yiasou Greek Festival and Festival in the Park and eagerly await one of Charlotte’s most loved home tours, The Dilworth Home Tour.  The DCDA is one of Charlotte’s strongest neighborhood associations educating the public to understand the importance of preserving the Dilworth Community as a unique place in Charlotte's history

Elizabeth

Elizabeth was one of Charlotte’s most fashionable residential areas in the early 1900’s and remains so today. Ranked Charlotte’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a walk score of 72 (the Charlotte average is 34), you’ll find businesses and residences are in close proximity and most roads with sidewalks. Home to the first public park in the city, Independence Park, Elizabeth has approximately 4,000 residents with a substantial portion of the neighborhoodlisted on the National Register of Historic Places. From lovely old homes to condos and town homes, Elizabeth is a hip place to call home!  The Elizabeth Community Association is the nucleus of the community. The members organize many events throughout the year including a Progressive Dinner, Easter Egg Hunt, Home and Garden Tour, Art in the Hood and 8 K Road Race.  Lining Elizabeth Avenue are some of the finest/hip restaurants. Enjoy fine dining at Carpe Diem and The Custom Shop, Italian-esque fare at Passion 8 or skyline views at the trendy Loft 1523.  Earls Grocery and the Creamery are not to be missed as you stroll down the avenue.  The revitalization will not be complete till the street car line runs through the heart of this oasis only blocks from uptown. The street will be graced with glass-walled trolley waiting stations. The street car will end in Elizabeth. Elizabeth is home to Presbyterian Hospital, Presbyterian Orthopedic Hospital and numerous medical offices, making it a highly desirable residential neighborhood for members of the medical community. It is also the location for Charlotte’s largest and most respected community college -- Central Piedmont Community College. 

Fort Mill

Fort Mill is located along the I-77 corridor in the northernmost part of South Carolina and is one of the fastest growing communities in the state. The Fort Mill Schools are among the best in the state performing well above national standards. Fort Mill is home to a number of thriving businesses and corporate offices in addition to abundant green spaces and a variety of recreational venues.

A quick walk in historic downtown's Main Street will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Some of the buildings date back to the early nineteenth century to the time of the town’s founding in 1873. Today, Fort Mill has more than 10,811 residents within the town’s city limits.  

One of the best places for leisurely activities is the AnneSpringsClose Greenway, a 2100 acre nature preserve. There are guided horse trails, a dog park, boating and kayaking, dairy barn that hosts the annual Winter Wonderland Craft Fair in November, 40 miles of hiking trails, bike trails for fun or technical racing and a recreation center with a pool and classrooms. If golf is your hobby, you are in luck! Become a member at the Springfield Golf Club and play the sister courses of Fort Mill Golf Club, Chester Golf Club and Lancaster Golf Club.  Fort Mill Township is home to major employers such as Black and Decker, Comporium, Daimler Trucks North America, Muzak, One Main Financial, URS and Wells Fargo, as well as countless locally owned businesses, shops and restaurants.  With modern amenities, access to a major interstate highway, low taxes, affordable housing, excellent schools and a high quality of life, it’s easy to see why Fort Mill is one of the fastest growing communities in the state of South Carolina.  

Huntersville

From its desirable lakeside location to its welcoming small town feel, Huntersville is the closest of the Lake Norman towns to Center City. Only 15 miles from uptown, this quickly growing town of 50,000 residents offers the amenities of a larger city but has a laid back lifestyle. The 520 miles of the Lake Norman shoreline encompasses many marinas and an active lifestyle for all generations.  From waterfront estates and expansive horse farms to golf communities and charming townhomes, Huntersville offers an array of choices for the homeowner. Vermillion, a mixed-use community just east of I-77 is a hot spot filled with young families, tree-lined streets, a swim club and local bar and grill. From Vermillion, you can walk to the historic downtown to dine or take the family to Discovery Place for Kids. Shopping varies from the mall at Northlake to the quaint Village of Birkdale. Birkdale Village is a mixed-use community with charming homes with a village center that has good eats like Big Daddy's Bar, Bonefish Grill and eeZ Fusion Sushi. If it is shopping you desire than visit the many shops including Williams-Sonoma, Lululemon and Barnes and Nobles. Enjoy live music on the green on a warm summer evening or play a round of golf at The Birkdale Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer course that is open to the public.  The Historic Latta Plantation is one of Charlotte's' best parks. The 52-acre plantation offers a very personal glimpse into the early merchant life days of our republic. The 1,290-acre Latta Plantation Nature Preserve houses a nature center and the Carolina Raptor Center with hiking, fishing and horseback riding. Bring your picnic basket to enjoy a day on the lake and forest views.  The Town of Huntersville has a very active Parks and Recreation. Swimming, volleyball and softball for seniors are just a few of the many activities for all. In conjunction with Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics it was awarded the Centralina Council on Government’s Excellence Award in “Improving Quality of Life."  The newest venture for the town will be building a new park at Main and Maxwell Street downtown -- Veterans Park. This new downtown park will include: a multipurpose building that can be used for various functions including the farmers market, a festival stage and lawn area, caboose for children’s play area and a Veterans Memorial.  If a healthy slice of life is what you are looking for stop in at the new Whole Foods store located in the NorthCross Commons shopping center at 9129 Sam Furr Road in Huntersville. The 35,000-square foot store includes a 24-tap growler station and a burger bar with a build-your-own-fries station and shakes. With only a 25 minute commute to Charlotte, Huntersville is a happening place.

Indian Trail

Located in the southern portion of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Indian Trail is 15 miles southeast of Charlotte in Union County. Since 1990, the town has experienced a tremendous amount of growth with its residential population growing from 1,942 to more than 35,000 residents.  Union County living has many benefits, including lower taxes which is a huge draw for young families buying their first home. This sleeper suburb is positively booming and the visionary town council is prepared. As a result of the growth, Indian Trail adopted a long range land use plan to include a pedestrian, bicycle and master park plan ensuring that the town remains livable and growth happens wisely. Indian Trail is a very civic-minded community and offers a Citizens’ Academy to give town residents interested in becoming more involved in local government the opportunity to learn what town government does. Indian Trail also has an active Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Affairs, Lyons Club and Boy and Girl Scouts Clubs. You’ll find annual celebrations like a 4th of July parade, Christmas parade, Family Fun Day and Arbor Day.

Lake Norman

Located only 15 miles from uptown Charlotte, Lake Norman was created in 1963 by Duke Energy for use in tapping hydro-electric power. Lake Norman is 34 miles long with 520 miles of shoreline and offers a mild four-season climate making it perfect for year-round adventures. With the mountains and coast only a few short hours drive from this centrally located region that offers pristine beauty and a 45 minute drive to Charlotte, Lake Norman is drawing new residents from all over the U.S.  Nestled on the banks of beautiful Lake Norman are the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Moorseville. These charming towns bring you adventures including fishing, boating and water sports, shopping and dining, outstanding performing arts at the highly respected Davidson College.  When Duke Power built Cowans Ford Dam across the Catawba River and flooded the land that became Lake Norman in the early 1960s, it bought much of the property that the lake would affect. Water covered some parcels and others became lakefront land. Duke then created a company, Crescent Resources, in 1969 to manage its land holdings. In the mid-’80s, Crescent began constructing developments in Charlotte, where the corporate headquarters are located. In 1989, Crescent developed The Peninsula, its first residential development on Lake Norman. The Point in Mooresville followed and was bought by Donald Trump in 2012 and renamed Trump National Golf Club. It is now one of the most prestigious addresses at the Lake. Crescent’s reverence for the land and environmental preservation has made Lake Norman arguably the most beautiful lake in the South for lakefront living.

Lake Wylie

Lake Wylie is a vibrant and thriving community where geography, people and economic vitality have fashioned a distinctive Southern lifestyle. Lake Wylie is one of eleven lakes on the Catawba River, the second oldest lake in the Catawba River Chain. The leisure and excitement of lakeside living, the comfortable small town atmosphere and convenient proximity to regional commercial and cultural centers make Lake Wylie the perfect setting to live, recreate and do business.  Recreation is an integral part of the Lake Wylie for boating, fishing, water skiing and sailing. The temperate seasonal changes not only enhance the area's beauty, but also afford year-round enjoyment of such outdoor pastimes as golf, tennis and bicycling. Like other lakes in the area, Lake Wylie is man made covering a surface area of about 13,400 acres and 325 miles of shore line. The lake is located in three different counties: York, Gaston, and Mecklenburg.  The diversity in each county offers potential residents a wide variety of lifestyle choices. Tega Cay, Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Lake Wylie, Belmont and South Charlotte each have a different feel and different amenities.  Whether you want to be part of a larger club lifestyle development or looking for a more rural lifestyle, Lake Wylie has something for everyone. 

Matthews

Conveniently located in the Charlotte Metro area, the Town of Matthews is a charming place to visit and a superb place to live. Matthews is a quaint town where people of all ages enjoy a lifestyle of leisure and a coveted quality of life. Matthews began as a place of trade and merchandise. In the 1800’s a railroad station was located here, which was a convenience for its farmers. A number of trains still roll through town several times a day. Get an up close view of the trains from the historic Town Depot/Visitor’s Center. The Depot offers a free interactive experience for your family— an historic red caboose is a favorite spot for wedding/prom/ family photos and a fun place where children are welcome to play. Throughout the year the Matthews Train Depot and Visitors Center is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Take a stroll through charming town filled with a mixture of the new and the historic. Take a minute and see the town’s historical mural inside the Public Library which is located near the Depot. Visit Renfrow Hardware store, where everything you need is under one roof. Where for over 100 years, people have been enjoying a cold glass bottle soda, viewing baby chickens, buying garden plants or that hard-to-find hardware item. If it is chilly outside, sit around the pot belly stove and hear a tall tale or two. A number of other stores, from antiques to consignment, will allow you to purchase affordable, unique items for gifts—or for yourself. Don't forget to eat at one of the restaurants. Choose from fine dining at Sante's to amazing ethnic fare from Thai, Polish and Chinese cuisine.  There are many activities for young and senior citizens. Discover the rich history of Matthews at the  Matthews Historical Museum, Heritage Museum or McDowell Arts Center. Matthews even has its own ballet company!  Outdoor activities include many parks including the new Sportsplex while Seniors can spend many leisurely hours at the Levine Center.  Start your weekend by grabbing a hot beverage and danish at the local coffee shop, then arrive at the Matthews Farmers Market in time for the opening bell. Everything is locally grown (produce/meat/flowers) or handmade(bakery/pottery/ soaps/candles) within 30 miles of the Town. You will also find the region’s finest chefs demonstrating how to prepare the produce you just purchased. Be early—items go quickly!   With lower taxes, strong schools and easy access to I-485 for commute to work, Matthews has become one of Charlotte’s favorite suburbs because it has retained its small town historic character and sense of place.  

Mint Hill

Mint Hill is perhaps Charlotte’s most up and coming suburb.  Ranked sixth on The Top Ten Places to Retire in North Carolina, 13th in The Top 50 Safest Places to Live in North Carolina and tenth in The Top 50 Most Affordable Places to Live in North Carolina, clearly the word is getting out about Mint Hill. With its low cost of living, low crime rate, top rated schools and strong home values due to demand, Mint Hill is attracting both Baby Boomers and Millennials at the same time. Like neighboring Matthews and Indian Trail, Mint Hill is a very civic-minded community.  Organizations, such as the Arts and Science Council, Mint Hill Arts and Mint Hill Historical Society make the community especially vibrant.  Here you’ll also find great festivals like Mint Hill Madness which celebrates the founding of Mint Hill and includes a carnival, parade, mouth watering treats, music and a fireworks.  Mint Hill is also home to Veterans Memorial Park, a 50 acre recreational complex that includes three volleyball courts; two soccer fields, a softball field; six tennis courts; a nine-hole disc golf course; three picnic shelters, outdoor handball/practice courts; three horseshoe pits; a children's playground; an asphalt in-line skating and bike path; a one mile nature trail.

Mooresville

Mooresville is best known as home to more than 60 NASCAR teams and racing related businesses, along with an INDYCAR team and two automotive museums. This burgeoning Charlotte suburb, once a small farming community is also corporate headquarters of Lowe's Companies and Universal Technical Institute's NASCAR Technical Institute.  Lake Norman is a huge draw for people wanting to enjoy the benefits of lake living. With only 45 minutes to Charlotte's Center City, many commuters call Mooresville home. The largest lake community was developed by Crescent Resources buying 1200 acres of this precious land to develop The Point. Crescent conducted a lottery to sell the lots to the high-end builders of Charlotte around a Nantucket theme. The Point's 18 hole PGA golf courseand village was bought in 2012 by Donald Trump and renamed Trump National Golf Club.  The city of Mooresville is a vibrant young, growing community with many young working professionals and families. Approximately 33 miles from uptown Charlotte, residents have access to a major city and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Downtown Mooresville has many restaurants and shops along with the neighboring towns of Davidson and Cornelius for a great day trip!

Myers Park

Once a treeless cotton farm, Charlotte’s breathtakingly beautiful neighborhood nestled among winding, shady tree-lined streets with Colonial Revival, bungalow and Tudor Revival homes is Charlotte’s most prestigious address. There are approximately 10,000 residents and 4,643 homes in Myers Park with an average housing value of $778,762.  Don’t let that scare you for there are charming condos and townhomes for buyers in much lower price points -- you just have to know where to look.  Providence Road and Queens Road is the epicenter of the community where many of the oldest churches and largest congregations line the roads. One of a kind retail shops and restaurants abound providing some of the best choices in the city for gastronomic delights and fashionable shops. The culturally rich Myers Park is not only home to Queens University, it is also the location of Charlotte's oldest arts organization and the state's longest running community theatre -- Theatre Charlotte. The local Manor Theatre is one of Charlotte's oldest movie theatres located on Providence Road. The historic Duke Mansion, is a luxurious 20-room bed and breakfast listed on the National Register of Historic Places that is one of the loveliest meeting and wedding venues in the area. With only minutes to Center City, this neighborhood is the epitome of the old south.

NODA

This former mill-community-turned-arts-district screams bohemian chic. The North Davidson Arts District, known by locals as NODA is just north of Center City and is home to a funky collection of galleries, independent bookstores, performance venues, boutique casual dining, live music and craft beer. Highland Park Mill and the surrounding mill village was erected in the early 1900’s and now house craft beer venues. The onset of  trolley service connected Uptown to North Charlotte, which brought commuting residents and millworkers to the area. During The Great Depression, Trolley service ceased and the neighborhood fell into decay. In 1986, The Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Association was established to redevelop the mills and improve the neighborhood.  In 1989, two of Charlotte’s most visionary creatives, Ruth Ava Lyons and Paul Sires opened Center of the Earth Gallery and became actively involved in the organic growth of NODA as an arts district.  Other galleries sprung up and Charlottte’s first gallery crawl began, replete with capoeira dancers, fire spinners and street artists.  NODA is home to Charlotte’s most beloved French Bakery, Amelie’s, which is now open 24 hours and expanding to south Charlotte and uptown. A number of Charlotte’s more unusual dining venues are located here and many young creative professionals have chosen to call NODA home. The lavender and plum painted gingerbread and bungalow homes gives a sense of energy and vibrancy. NODA is poised for continued growth as the light-rail extension, which will run from uptown through the NoDa and University areas to UNC Charlotte gets underway.  The city recently approved rezoning for the construction of of a 250-unit mixed use development, as NODA begins to mirror the explosive growth seen in the more established SouthEnd neighborhood.  

Piper Glen

One of Charlotte’s prestigious golf course communities, Piper Glen is a community comprised of 12 distinct neighborhoods each with its own unique characteristics.  Here you’ll find everything from spacious homes to accommodate growing families, luxury estates and maintenance-free condos and town homes.  At the heart of the neighborhood is the highly acclaimed TCP at Piper Glen, an 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course which is legendary for its unique combination of natural beauty, challenge and playability. TPC Piper Glen was the first course in North Carolina to be recognized as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for commitment to environmental quality by meeting required standards for protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and providing wildlife habitats .The golf club goes beyond what most clubs do to provide activities and events that are especially welcoming to families.  The Club has a virtually non-stop calendar of learning and social events.  Piper Glen is also home to Charlotte’s largest greenway preserve, Four Mile Creek and one of only two Trader Joe’s in the region.  Whether it is golfing, shopping at nearby Ballantyne or SouthPark, walking trails or being part of a country club, Piper Glen is a wonderful place to call home!

Plaza Midwood

Developed in the early 1920s as a streetcar suburb, the development of Plaza Midwood coincided with the development of Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood. Two prominent local families, the Van Landinghams and the Victors, provided the impetus for the initial development.   Plaza Midwood's trolley line ran along Central Avenue to The Plaza and down Mecklenburg Avenue to the Mecklenburg Country Club, now Charlotte Country Club, which is one of Charlotte’s most prestigious and historic clubs in Charlotte.During the Depression, Plaza Midwood underwent many phases, resulting in a diverse architectural heritage. The urban flight of the 1950s and 1960s left parts of the neighborhood on the brink of decline.  By the mid-1970s Plaza Midwood residents began to group together to preserve their neighborhood and the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association (PMNA) was organized.  Plaza Midwood has maintained perhaps the most diverse mix of residents… it is easy to walk down Pecan Avenue and imagine you are in Brooklyn,or Venice Beach, as many creative urban professionals choose to call Plaza Midwood home.  The Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association is one of Charlotte’s very active neighborhood associations. The Local Merchant Organization is the business arm of the neighborhood and runs itself like a close knit community as well, resulting in a vibrant neighborhood perfect for entrepreneurs, young professionals and young families. Activities like neighborhood watch, clean-up days, tree banding and neighborhood festivals keep the community close knit and beautiful. The neighborhood park has a tennis court, soccer field, basketball court and playground.  With its location just a few miles outside of Center City, Plaza Midwood is an ideal place to call home for working professionals and young families. 

Rock Hill

Whether for its welcoming hometown feel, lower property taxes or recreational opportunities, Rock Hill is now one of Charlotte's bedroom communities. Nestled about 25 miles south of uptown Charlotte, Rock Hill is a vibrant, growing community.  The close proximity to Fort Mill, Charlotte and Lake Wylie has spurred tremendous growth. Lake Wylie with its 325 miles of shoreline provides a wonderful place for residents to live and play on the water.  Rock Hill's newest mixed-use development along the scenic Catawba River offers a choice ofhome styles and outdoor amenities. The Rock Hill Outdoor Center is home to the Giordana Velodrome, a 250 meter cycling track as well as the Novant Health BMX Supercross Track.  Old Town, in the heart of Rock Hill is the quaint historic downtown of the city's original neighborhoods. Spend your morning at the Farmers Market or treat yourself to homemade desserts and delicious soups and sandwiches at Amelie's French Bakery.  Rock Hill currently has a population of more than 66,000 residents.  The community has been growing by leaps and bounds in the past decade due to its favorable economic climate, lower taxes and strong resources for businesses who choose to relocate here. There are a number of major business parks, a vibrant economic development council, an innovative technology incubator, a knowledge park and two outstanding higher education institutions:  Winthrop University and York Technical College.  Winthrop also offers a Regional Small Business Development Center for Upstate South Carolina businesses. As the Charlotte region grows, count on Rock Hill to be right in stride.  From families to young professionals to retirees, there is something for everyone in Rock Hill.  

South End

Dilworth is arguably Charlotte’s strongest neighborhood for young professional families that enjoy both residential and urban lifestyle. Dilworth is known for its stately, mature oak trees, historic bungalows, Queen Anne and Colonial revivals interspersed with Charlotte’s chicest boutiques and restaurants.  Initially designated the Eighth Ward Dilworth was Charlotte’s first streetcar suburb and like Center City, it is built on a grid pattern.  The community prospered as a residential neighborhood for residents commuting to Center City, but as development moved southward after the war, Dilworth, like many other city neighborhoods began fighting to overcome years of blight and decay. In the late 60's, the original Dilworth Community Development Association was formed to rally against further deterioration and encourage a focus on inner city neighborhoods at a time when city planners were focused on the suburbs. DCDA worked to see housing codes enforced and zoning and land use modifications revised. They rallied for preservation and rejuvenation of the neighborhood's rich store of houses and commercial buildings.  Dilworth is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to Charlotte’s largest hospital, Carolinas Medical Center. It is a 861 bed teaching hospital that has the only level one trauma center in the Carolinas and is home to the Levine Children's Hospital and Sanger Heart Clinic.  Dilworth is a destination shopping, dining and entertainment neighborhood with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants along East Boulevard, two of Charlotte’s biggest parks, Latta Park and Freedom park, the Sugar Creek Greenway and Freedom Park Nature Center. Each year, residents delight in two of Charlotte’s largest festivals, the Yiasou Greek Festival and Festival in the Park and eagerly await one of Charlotte’s most loved home tours, The Dilworth Home Tour.  The DCDA is one of Charlotte’s strongest neighborhood associations educating the public to understand the importance of preserving the Dilworth Community as a unique place in Charlotte's history

SouthPark

Considered one of the most desirable locations in South Charlotte, SouthPark is a neighborhood that grew up around SouthPark Mall, an upscale shopping center developed in 1970. The neighborhood was once part of a 3,000 acre farm owned by North Carolina Governor Cameron Morrison whose 14,000 square foot Tudor Revival homewas located on the farm and served as the governor's estate.  This prestigious neighborhood ranges from 1950s-built classic ranchers to large homes in new developments, condo/townhouse developments and mixed-use communities complete with shopping, restaurants and offices. The neighborhoods run the gamut from affordable condominiums to family friendly neighborhood tennis and swim clubs to multi-million dollar mansions. SouthPark is one of the premiere business centers in the city of Charlotte and the neighborhood employes more than 40,000 residents.  SouthPark Mall, an upscale shopping area that features more than 150 merchants with high-end stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany and Co., Burberry, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade is the largest shopping mall in North Carolina. The boutique neighboring shopping centers of Phillips Place, Sharon Corners, Morrison, Morrocroft Village and Specialty Shops on the Park offer shoppers even more options.  Southpark is also an epicenter for fine restaurants and is home to Symphony Park Amphitheater, where the Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops concert series is held. This neighborhood is also home to two of three of Charlotte’s top private schools, Charlotte Country Day School and Providence Day School and the Harris YMCA, one of Charlotte's most active YMCA’s, making it a favorite place to live.  SouthPark is the home to the Fortune 300 company Nucor, as well as Dixon Hughes Goodman, National Gypsum, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, AmWINS Group, Carolinas AGC and Piedmont Natural Gas and well as many other companies that have major divisional operations located in SouthPark. It is no wonder that SouthPark continues to offer a lifestyle that is coveted by many. 

Southeast Charlotte

Charlotte continues to be at the top of Forbes Magazine’s ‘Fastest Growing Cities In The U.S.’ list, and as with any city experiencing explosive growth, development must spread outwards.  Once pastoral farmland used for growing cotton and raising cattle, Southeast Charlotte is now one of two of the city’s districts that provides the bulk of revenue to the city in both property tax and business revenue.  Home to two of Charlotte’s largest business centers outside of Center City (SouthPark and Ballantyne Corporate Park),  where four of five of Charlotte’s largest private schools are also located, Southeast Charlotte is the hub of young professional family living.  You’ll also find three of Charlotte’s largest YMCA branches in Southeast Charlotte, and it is impossible to head out errand running on a weekend and not see children in soccer, t-ball or dance gear running around with busy families.  Thanks to a combination of visionary developers and strong zoning, you’ll find beautiful tree-lined winding major thoroughfares and artfully landscaped cul-de sac neighborhoods centered around private swim and tennis clubs, interspersed with well-planned mixed use developments. With everything from posh multi million-dollar homes in gated communities like SouthPark’s Morrocroft, and family neighborhoods like Barclay Downs centered around a swim and racquet club, to small townhouse developments springing up all around Ballantyne and farther south, Southeast Charlotte has access to its urban center, but it still feels like coming home. 

Sun City

As with all Del Webb communities, Sun City Carolina Lakes is a master planned age-restricted oasis that offers resort-style living for active adults just minutes from Ballantyne and centered around an 18 hole golf course.  The course is unusual and friendly to a range of skill levels. It has five sets of tees allowing golfers of all abilities to enjoy the championship layout. The course features a sixth or family tee which turns the layout into a par 55 course with 17 par 3’s and one par 4,  Drive through the community on any given day and you will see residents riding around in golf carts and bicycles, enjoying the walking trails, participating in numerous activities in the clubhouse and enjoying the pools and tennis courts. Sun City Carolina Lakes is located just across the South Carolina border outside of Ballantyne offering the convenience and amenities of the destination shopping centers at Ballantyne and Blakeney with lower taxes.  There are many additional communities popping up all around this burgeoning area South of Charlotte and worth a visit for those considering relocating.

Tega Cay

The City of Tega Cay is located on a peninsula on Lake Wylie twenty miles south of Charlotte’s Center City and five miles north of downtown Rock Hill. The name Tega Cay is Polynesian for “Beautiful Peninsula.”  This planned community was formed in 1970 on 1,600 wooded acres of landpreviously owned by Duke Power Company.  Tega Cay is known for its golf courses and conference center.  The developer carried out the Polynesian theme everywhere from street names, home design, clubhouse décor and even the guard shack, making the community feel very resort-like. In the fall of 2000, the City annexed three new areas consisting of Stonecrest, Crescent and Nivens Creek Landing which brought the first planned retail and commercial properties to the city along with townhomes and apartments. This family oriented and active adult community is a great place to call home for people who love the outdoors and to celebrate with friends and neighbors.  Annual activities include street and water parades, free summer concerts, fairs and festivals, organized sports, 27 holes of golf, eight lighted tennis courts, a beach and swim center, miles of walking trails, a marina, three boat launching areas, five waterfront parks and three interior parks/playgrounds.  

Waxhaw

One visit to this quaint historic town with its close proximity to Charlotte and South Carolina and you'll fall in love. Visiting Waxhaw is like going back to an easier time where residents walk the streets and pause to say hello -- and the community is doing its best to make sure that its strong sense of tradition and history is preserved.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a "Main Street Community," Waxhaw is the kind of town you see in movies with its picturesque downtown set along the railroad tracks with an array of boutique shops and restaurants. Dating back to the 1700s, Waxhaw is one of the oldest towns in Union County with a population of 10,500 and booming due to its pristine beauty, lower taxes, strong schools and proxmity to Charlotte’s outlying business centers in Ballantyne and Southpark.  The area is also a nationally known equestrian community. Options abound for leasing and boarding and having your own equestrian property.  Waxhaw is a very family oriented community that likes to celebrate.  Some of the more well-known events include SpringFest, July 4th festivities, Autumn Treasures, The Grill'n and Chill'n BBQ Cook Off and the 12 days of Christmas.  Each April, the Queen's Cup Steeplechase is held just up the road in neighboring Mineral Springs. It is THE annual horse racing event to benefit local and regional charities. It is a fun day for family and friends to celebrate the Rite of Spring!  If you long for pastoral peaceful living with parks and green space and  access to a major metropolitan city than Waxhaw is your place.  

Weddington

It has been said that “Home is where the heart is," and this simple statement explains why Weddington has been home for so many through the years.The town of Weddington is located in the northwestern corner of Union County, NC approximately 15 miles southeast of the city of Charlotte and 14 miles northwest of downtown Monroe. The town encompasses approximately 17 square miles and has a population in excess of 10,000. Weddington consists of mostly single-family homes on lots of one acre or more. The town’s only commercial area is located in the vicinity of NC 16 and NC 84 and is referred to as the Town Center.  The Town Hall is located in this area in a locally designated historic home built in 1894. As new retail is developed, more subdivisions are following. Weddington has experienced tremendouse growth and new development since the building of Weddington Elementary in 1996. Residents are proud of their rural atmosphere and “down home” feel. The leaders of the community act to ensure that the unique feel of this early settlement town is preserved for the future.   The Town holds several community events throughout the year.  The Easter Egg Hunt is held in the spring at the Town Hall.  Kids enjoy games and prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.  The Town schedules a spring and fall Clean up Day where residents are encouraged to help clean up the roads within the town. The Annual Tree Lighting is held in December where the town lights the tree and enjoys local groups performing while residents enjoy hot cocoa and cookies. Small town, big hearts!