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Get to know Lake Norman

Created in 1963 when Duke Power (now Duke Energy) dammed the Catawba River, Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina, boasting some 520 miles of shoreline extending into four counties: Mecklenburg, Iredell, Lincoln, and Catawba. A longstanding draw for inland water recreation-seekers, most of the development in the vicinity has been concentrated on four towns near the lake but not necessarily on it: Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, and Mooresville, all of which are also conveniently located off I-77. Huntersville is the largest community in the Lake Norman area, with over 50,000 residents and the closest proximity to Charlotte. Cornelius has over 27,000 residents and encompasses the east and west sides of I-77. Davidson, a quaint locale with a laid-back vibe, is home to Davidson College. And Mooresville, the base of operations for several NASCAR teams and racing museums, is nicknamed “Race City USA,” with 32,711 calling it home. It’s also where you’ll find Queens Landing, where you can sail off on a dinner cruise or dine out at one of the numerous waterfront restaurants.

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Living in Charlotte

The Charlotte area was the site of America’s first gold rush, prompted in 1799 when 12-year-old Conrad Reed found a whopper of a nugget playing in a Cabarrus County creek. Today, people are drawn here by other lodes: booming commerce, vibrant culture, and a subtropical climate that’s palpably milder than just a state or two north. Greater Charlotte represents the fourth-largest metropolitan region in the Southeast and one of the fastest-growing in the entire country. Nearly three million make their home in the 16 counties surrounding the “Queen City,” located in both North and South Carolina—they’ve gained nearly 20% of their collective population over the past decade alone. Countless companies across all industries maintain headquarters, if not a substantial presence, in Charlotte’s thriving urban core, most notably the finance, technology, and higher education sectors. And while “Metrolina” is all well inland, water-borne recreation thrives on Lake Norman, the largest manmade lake in the state, and throughout the Catawba River basin.