Lake Norman
The Lake Norman area is all about laid-back waterfront living and outdoor fun along 500+ miles of shoreline. Ten communities surround “LKN,” as it is called.
Real Estate
Lake Norman homes can be roughly divided into two categories, depending on their position on the lake. The east side of the lake is more developed with larger populations and impressive estate homes. Home prices in this area are much higher than on the west side. The west side of the lake provides more of an “old lake living” feel, with larger lots, lower prices and a slower pace. Lake Norman waterfront homes are extremely desirable, with beautiful views and instant access to boating, fishing, and fun.
Lifestyle & Attractions
Lake Norman is the largest man-made body of water in North Carolina, and is often referred to as an “Inland Sea.” It measures 33 miles long and nine miles wide, and has 520 miles of shoreline. There are many parks surrounding the lake where citizens can enjoy trails, sports facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas and more.
Lake Norman encompasses four counties and 10 communities. Catawba County, Iredell County, Lincoln County and Mecklenburg County, and the towns Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Denver, Westport, Mooresville, Troutman, Sherrills Ford and Terrell.
Lake Norman has grown in popularity over the years, with both residents and vacationers. The lake is just 20 miles from downtown Charlotte. In fact, many Charlotte residents enjoy the lake for recreation and many residents of Lake Norman make the commute to Charlotte for work.
Cultural and art museums in the area include Cornelius Arts Center, Mooresville Museum, Memory Lane Museum and NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Catch a performing arts show at the Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius or Armour Street Theatre in Davidson. The communities of Lake Norman come together for a number of annual events and festivals, including the Annual Sheepdog Trials, Artoberfest, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Education
Lake Norman region has 35 public schools. The largest school system in the state, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools services Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. Huntersville has 13 public schools in its vicinity, while Cornelius has five and Davidson has three. There 20 private school options as well. Colleges include Davidson College, Mitchell Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Gaston College and NASCAR Technical Institute.
History
Duke Energy built the lake as part of its hydroelectric dam system. Beneath the lake lies another layer of history, as homes, farms and entire towns ended up under water, including Long Island, a busy river town with three textile mills. In addition to the lake’s beneficial value of generating energy, it helps with flood control as it can hold heavy precipitation due to its expansive size. The lake also serves as a water source for Mooresville and the city of Charlotte. The area experienced substantial growth after the construction of Lake Norman between 1959 and 1964.