Cabarrus County is “Where Racing Lives.” But not just any racing. Listen to those engines roar as they circle the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway and or speed down the zMAX Dragway. This is the home of NASCAR.  The people may drive fast, but the rolling hills and sloping pastures are between those race tracks. This is a place where you set the pace. Choose the fast track of a busy urban metro packed with amenities, or live a slower pace of life in a small country town. Come see how living in Cabarrus County, NC, can pack it all in.

Finding Cabarrus County

Located northeast of the state’s largest city, Charlotte, Cabarrus County is a growing community in the beautiful Carolina Piedmont region. It’s a place of gently rolling countryside. The eastern half starts the foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains. While no significant or navigable rivers exist, the quiet creeks that meander through the hills add to the natural beauty. The Rocky River is the longest, originating in Iredell County and ending at the Pee Dee River below Norwood in Stanly County.

Cabarrus is part of the Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area. The counties surrounding Cabarrus include Mecklenburg, Union, Stanly, Rowan, and Iredell. It’s the tenth most populous county in North Carolina. The northern portion is more rural than the southern area, which is adjacent to Charlotte, NC.

Carolina Climate

Brew some sweet tea for those warm, muggy summers. The heat and pop-up thunderstorms of July give way to mild winters, with the average low hitting 28F in January. Still, that winter high of 51F signals this is a great place if you like to be outside. While it’s not unheard of to have snowfall or ice storms, the area typically only sees 1 to 3 in of snow in an average winter. The snow generally melts quickly. Overall, around 46 inches of rain usually falls each year.

Low Cost of Living

Something Cabarrus County residents benefit from is an affordable cost of living. According to the cost of living index, where 100 represents the United States average, Cabarrus County has an overall 95.7 cost of living. It’s cheaper to live here than most of the nation. The least expensive category was transportation, and miscellaneous costs were the most expensive, indexed at 109.2. The cost of living compared to the Charlotte metro shows residents live an affordable lifestyle while still benefiting from Charlotte’s many perks.

The Long History

The Catawba indigenous peoples first inhabited the region until about 1750, when European settlers began arriving. The immigrants were primarily German on the east side and Scots-Irish on the western side. When Cabarrus County was still part of Mecklenburg County during the American Revolution, Lord Cornwallis came into the area thinking he would use the farmlands and resources to supply his troops. The resistance he encountered led him to call the area a “Hornet’s Nest,” a nickname proudly adopted by the residents. The tradition of fierce patriotism continues to this day.

The county was officially established in 1792 from a corner of Mecklenburg County. It was named for a popular Speaker of the House of Representatives, Stephen Cabarrus Edenton. The two main groups could not reach a consensus on choosing a county seat. To compromise, they chose a central area and named it Concord. It remains the county seat today.

A young Conrad Reed found a large gold chunk on his family farm in 1799. Weighing approximately 17 pounds, its discovery eventually spurred the nation’s earliest gold rush. Reed’s Farm became known as Reed’s Gold Mine. Large amounts of gold were continuously discovered here and at other local mines. President Andrew Jackson signed into legislation and established the Charlotte Mint to handle all the gold coming from the North Carolina veins.

The Growing Community

Agriculture and gold mining remained important in the county’s economy through the 19th century. The lands on the county’s western side were ideal for cotton production. Around 1906, Jim Cannon began constructing a giant manufacturing plant and created a model mill village, which he called Kannapolis. As these industries waned, Cabarrus County shifted its base in other directions. Today it’s known for its stock car racing, manufacturing, and distribution.

The 2020 US Census counted 225,804 residents in Cabarrus County, NC. The county grew 21% over the last decade, a testament to its quality of life and appeal. The household median income as of 2022 was $79,649, an increase of almost $15,000 since 2018.

Cabarrus County Cities

One of the perks is that these cities are near Charlotte, NC. That rounds out the quality of life in the local towns.

The City of Concord, NC, has a beautifully restored Victorian-era district revitalized with one-of-a-kind locally-owned shops and dining around the historic Cabarrus County Courthouse. Besides the speedway, it has some of the Charlotte metro’s top attractions, like the SEALIFE Aquarium and the largest outlet mall, Concord Mills. The city is North Carolina’s tenth-largest city and the second-largest city in the Charlotte metro.

Kannapolis is a major city in the northern portion. Originally a mill town for cotton workers, it is today a family-oriented community close to major transportation networks. Eight universities work at the North Carolina Research Campus. Life in Kannapolis includes beautiful parks where the city hosts outdoor summer concerts, motorsports museums, and minor league baseball.

Near the western side is the century-old Mount Pleasant. It radiates classic small-town charm, with neighbors who know each other’s names. Historic old mills now house delicious farm-to-table restaurants, perfect for dinner after a day wandering nearby hiking trails. The old prison is a famous whiskey distillery. Mount Pleasant also hosts events like fall festivals and holiday parades.

Midland is near the southern region and the Rocky River. Life here is about the great outdoors, whether it’s picking strawberries off the farm or panning for gold in the rivers. Kayak the blueways or hit the mountain biking trails. Residents live about 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte. The town is an industrial center, with Corning’s Charlotte Region Fiber Optic Manufacturing Facility based in Midland.

Harrisburg is near Mecklenburg County, off of North Carolina Highway 49. Some families living here still trace their roots to the 1700s. It is an affluent area and one of the most affluent zip codes in the Charlotte metro, with top-performing schools and relatively large home sites. Harrisburg Park’s amphitheater hosts a free outdoor summer series and the popular Fourth of July Festival.

Getting Around Cabarrus

Getting around to these towns is relatively easy with your car. Interstate 85 runs from Charlotte north through Cabarrus County, connecting Concord and Kannapolis. The Concord Parkway, Liles Parkways, and Old Charlotte Highway also link the county and the greater Charlotte metro.

Cabarrus County Job Market

A wide variety of employment opportunities await residents of Cabarrus County. For starters, Kannapolis is the home of the North Carolina Research Campus, a center for biotechnology research. It brings together over eight universities, research institutes, and businesses tackling problems like growing more nutritious crops.

Several reputable companies operate out of Concord, and more are joining them. Its International Business Park (IBP) has 30 globally operating businesses. Atrium Health has over 4,500 employees. Other large employers include Amazon Warehouse, Great Wolf Lodge & Resort, S&D Coffee & Tea, Speedway Motorsports Inc, Shoe Show, ACN, Corning, and Hendrick Motorsports.

The Cabarrus County unemployment rate in July 2024 was 3.9%, while the United States rate was 4.2%. Besides its own economic strength, locals have access to even more career opportunities as part of the Charlotte metro. Charlotte’s top industries were professional and business services, logging and construction, and financial activities.

All this access to different industries gives the region greater economic stability.

Cabarrus County Real Estate Market

Cabarrus County is a growing part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. As an example, Kannapolis is adding 1,000 residential units to support the North Carolina Research Campus.

Distinctive communities deliver various housing to meet your style and taste. Find everything from historic, century-old homes to ranches to modern townhouses.

The local market report from July 2024 shows Cabarrus County median sales prices have steadily risen since 2014. The most recent median sales price was $429,000, a 13.7% year-over-year increase. New listings were also up 39% YOY. The days on the market until sale have increased from eight in 2021 to 34. Even with that slowdown, there is consistently high demand for Cabarrus County real estate. For that month, the county had a 2.5-month supply of homes, almost double the prior year. These changes aligned with United States real estate trends.

Looking closer at the county’s communities, we see:

• Concord homes reported a median sales price of $395,000, a 16% YOY leap in pricing. New listings were up 60% and closed sales 13%.
• Kannapolis homes had a median sales price of $320,000, a 6% year-over-year increase. The number of new listings here rose 23% YOY, and the town had a 2.3-month supply of inventory.

Cabarrus County real estate taxes are re-evaluated every four years. The 2020 tax rate was 0.74 of the assessed value. This does not include any special district taxes or municipal taxes.

Cabarrus County Education

Residents have two public school systems that serve their families.

Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) has the only K-12 STEM pipeline in North Carolina. Essentially, a student can start in kindergarten at a STEM school and graduate from a STEM high school, having 13 years of science, technology, engineering, and math education.

The school district enrolls 33,000 students who attend one of 42 schools. Its four-year graduation rate is 89%, which is higher than the state average.

Kannapolis City Schools enrolls 5,700 students across nine different schools. It is one of four North Carolina School Districts named to the College Board AP honor roll for outstanding performance in advanced placement courses. The district has a welding program; students can obtain a welding certificate.

Residents have 12 private schools to select from. Some top-ranked local private schools include Covenant Classical School and Cannon School. Around 58% of the private schools are religiously affiliated.

Higher education choices start with Rowan Cabarrus Community College, a fully accredited community college with campuses in both counties. Students can choose from 49 degrees, 31 diplomas, and 99 certificates. The college has transfer programs for those looking to move on to a four-year degree.

Another option is the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. Its healthcare programs help students earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in seven health disciplines.

Cabarrus County Healthcare

Atrium Health is a major healthcare provider to local residents. It has an extensive inpatient and outpatient network. The Atrium Health Cabarrus is a regional 457-bed hospital operating in Concord. The network includes the Jeff Gordon Children’s Center, Hayes Family Center, and Batte Cancer Center. Associated family medicine practices are available in the county in Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Mount Pleasant, and other nearby towns.

The Community Free Clinic services the area’s most vulnerable population. Its mission is to remove barriers to help provide health services to its patients. It has comprehensive primary care, specialty care lab services, and a pharmacy.

Cabarrus Health Alliance is the county’s public health authority so all have access to treatment. It operates health care programs, promotes disease prevention, and provides health care education.

Cabarrus County Things To Do

Motorsports

Motorsports events are a huge attraction inside Cabarrus County. With the Charlotte Motor Speedway and zMaxDragway located inside its borders, NASCAR fans are close to the fastest action on the stock car circuit. Significant races are in May and October, including the Coca-Cola 600,  NASCAR’s longest race. See the Speedway website for upcoming events.

The ZMAX Dragway is a facility part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway. This exciting destination is the only four-lane all-concrete Dragway in the world. Watch drag racers pull the pedal to the floor as they take off down the track.

Other Sports

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, a minor league club affiliated with the Chicago White Sox, launched during the 2021 season. They play at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

Outdoor Recreation

The Howell Reservoir is the largest lake in the county, but Lake Norman isn’t far if you want more boating and sailing choices. The network of rivers and creeks vary for their paddlesport access and fishing quality.

Cabarrus County is also home to some well-known golf courses. The Rocky River Golf Club in Concord has ranked as one of the most challenging public courses in the region.

As for parks, Spencer Park has camping facilities overnights outdoors. Several nature preserves have miles of trails, like the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Liske Park. Get outside for a walk, run, or bike ride at these locations or along the Carolina Threat Trail. Mountain bikers comes for the Harrisburg Half and Rocky River trails.

Local Attractions

If you want to make your fortune, visit the Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site. Not only can you walk the trails and see the shafts left by miners, but you can try your hand at gold panning.

Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park, arcade, bowling, and dining venue all under one roof. It’s a great family day of fun open all year round.

Harrisburg is a hub for the local motorsports industry thanks to the Concord Motorsport Park. Stop by the Hendricks Motorsports Museum and 600 Racing facility, which manufactures Legends cars, the forerunners of the NASCAR model.

Next to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, find the Backing Up Classics Auto Museum. The 18,000 sqft includes classic cars, automotive memorabilia, a banquet facility, and a NASCAR gift shop.

The Dale Trail guides you through the life and legacy of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Originally from Kannapolis, follow in the footsteps of the NASCAR legend. Do everything from checking out Richard Childress Racing to tasting a tomato sandwich just like Dale enjoyed it.

Music

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame features Carolina-based artists. Induction ceremonies are held every October, and some of the most famous inductees include Eric Church, Roberta Flack, and Charlie Daniels. The The Avett Brothers came from here.

On weekends, find local bands playing at the town bars and breweries. The historic theaters also host touring music acts. Then there are the festivals, which always have live music on stage. Hear them at the summer concert series.

History

The Concord Museum preserves and exhibits the history of Cabarrus County. It includes exhibits showcasing the impact of Native American peoples, African Americans, and Mexican American communities. It includes information on the Coleman Manufacturing Company, the first cotton mill owned and operated by African Americans.

Many communities have been established since the late 19th century. The many historic homes and architecture add the character of the Charlotte metro communities. For example, the residents of historic Concord illuminate their homes with colorful lights every September. You can take a tour of these homes using your phone or by picking up a guide at South Union in downtown Concord.

The Best of Food & Drink

Barbecue is a North Carolina staple; you will find plenty of it and Cabarrus County. Concord has some coveted barbecue restaurants. Pair with the local brews out of the craft distilleries. Try a locally sourced and created pint and see the buzz for yourself. A few local Cabarrus County dining destinations:

• 44 Mills Kitchen + Tap has a modern take on southern cuisine and 16 rotating craft beer taps.
• Gianni’s Trattoria is a neighborhood Italian restaurant with an upscale atmosphere.
• Southern Living ranked Jim’ N Nick’s BBQ as a top BBQ joint. It also has received awards for its tasty cheese biscuits.
• The Smoke Pit sources its meat from the butcher shop next door. The line often goes out the door.
• Southern Grace Distilleries was built inside of a former prison. Today, the only thing behind bars is its award-winning whiskey.

Cabarrus County Shopping

The go-to place for all of your specialty and retail therapy days is Concord Mills off of I-85. This shopping and entertainment complex has over 200 outlets, specialty retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues like high-speed kart racing. It’s one of the largest malls in the Charlotte NC area.

Cannon Village is a restored colonial-style village with antiques, outlets, and specialty shops. A former Cannon Mills owner developed the shopping area.

Living in Cabarrus County, NC

Cabarrus County has an ideal lifestyle whether you like to take it fast or slow. Its proximity to Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte metro means you are only 20 to 30 minutes from some stellar attractions. However, the cites near Charlotte inside Cabarrus County also have excellent shopping, dining, and lifestyle amenities all their own. Two school districts provide excellent education opportunities for families while the job market thrives with opportunities. When you add it all together with lower costs of living, it’s easy to see why residents enjoy life in Cabarrus County, NC.