Area Spotlight: Huntersville

Ask anyone and they’ll all say the same thing: Huntersville has it all. It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s true. We talk a lot about “small town charm with big city amenities,” and that’s because so many Charlotte neighborhoods have just exactly that. It’s Huntersville, however, that probably takes the cake in that department.

A mere 12 miles from Uptown Charlotte, Huntersville is big on outdoor living. Whether you’re running the gorgeous wooded trails of Latta Plantation, sunning yourself at Lake Norman, or simply strolling (and shopping!) the tree lined streets of Birkdale Village… there are ample opportunities to be outside.

In fact, it’s the “outside” that brought people to this area in the first place. The rich, fertile soil was a big draw to cotton farmers. This huge crop even inspired the town’s name. Robert Boston Hunter was a major landowner and cotton farmer on a large plantation. Railways added to the growth of Huntersville and the town was officially incorporated in 1873. Subsequently, Huntersville is home to more than 15 historic and cultural landmarks, which include churches, homesteads and schools all dating back to the 1700s and 1800s.

Today, residents benefit from Huntersville being home to huge industry. Rubbermaid, Novant Health, and GM Financial are just a few of the big name companies that call Huntersville home. Additionally, Huntersville always seems to make it onto all of the Listicals. For example, in just the last few years, the town has been featured on:

• Nerd Wallet’s Best Places for Young Families
• Wallet Hub’s Best Place to Raise a Family
• Safe Wise’s Top 20 Safest Cities in North Carolina
• U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best High Schools in the Country (for Lake Norman Charter School)

Perhaps it ranks so high because of all the fun things to do here. You could learn about birds of prey at the Carolina Raptor Center, let your imagination run wild at Discovery Place Kids- Huntersville, or pick-your-own pumpkin at Rural Hill. You could have a picnic at Bradford Park, step back in time at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and even take a garage tour of NASCAR’s big name Joe Gibbs Racing.

Or don’t do any of those things and just enjoy wide porches, sweeping lawns, and lazy Summer Saturdays.