Lake Norman

Created by Duke Energy in 1963, Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in the Carolinas with more than 520 miles of shoreline and a surface area of over 32,000 acres across four different counties.

Nestled along its banks are the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, Huntersville, Mooresville, Sherrills Ford, Catawba, Terrell, and Troutman. Each community has its own distinct charm and character and offers access to a wide range of top-quality conveniences and amenities.

The varied communities surrounding Lake Norman are able to accommodate nearly any type of lifestyle, giving buyers a wealth of terrific residential options to choose from. Some of the towns offer the serenity of a quiet countryside, while others offer a dynamic suburban lifestyle minutes away from many of the best shopping and dining destinations.

If you’re in the market for the finest Lake Norman real estate options, this page serves as your guide to this wonderful community. We’ll take a closer look at the best towns to live in, provide an overview of the Lake Norman real estate market, and offer a glimpse of the lifestyle waiting for you in this picturesque slice of North Carolina.

Quick Facts About Lake Norman

• Lake Norman was created from 1959 to 1964 by Duke Energy following the construction of the Cowan’s Ford Dam on the Catawba River Chain. It was the seventh and final artificial lake created by Duke Energy.
• The lake was named in honor of former Duke Energy President Norman Atwater Cocke.
• Lake Norman provides electricity to the Piedmont region of the Carolinas. In addition to powering Cowans Ford Dam’s hydroelectric station generators, the lake is also used to drive the turbines of other power generating stations.
• The lake supplies water to several cities and towns in four North Carolina counties: Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg.
• Lake Norman has a surface area of approximately 50.8 square miles and a catchment area spanning 1,790 square miles. The lake has an average depth of 33.5 feet and a maximum depth of 112 feet.

Lake Norman Real Estate

Lake Norman is an excellent choice for anyone looking forward to enjoying a relaxing lifestyle in a picturesque location. The area offers an exceptional quality of life with its proximity to Charlotte, top-performing schools, vibrant communities, and easy access to a diverse array of amenities, attractions, and destinations.

Many of the most desirable luxury real estate options can be found along Lake Norman’s pristine shoreline. Luxury homes in Lake Norman are available in a wide variety of stunning architectural styles such as Cape Cod, Contemporary, Georgian, Farmhouse, Coastal, and Victorian.

Some examples of features you can find in many high-end Lake Norman homes include:

• Lush, meticulously maintained landscaping
• Well-designed floor plans filled with natural light
• Distinguished living spaces with custom designer fixtures and finishes
• Updated gourmet kitchens with breakfast nooks and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances
• Elegant baths with exquisite tilework, separate vanities, and large tubs and shower stalls
• Oversized primary suites with large walk-in closets
• Delightful outdoor living spaces including sprawling terraces, patios, and sundecks perfect for entertaining

For buyers looking for a relaxed, yet engaging lifestyle right by the water, many waterfront homes in Lake Norman have features such as private piers, boat docks, personal boat lifts, watercraft studios/workshops, and abundant storage space for accessories.

The Best Towns in Lake Norman

Here’s an overview of the lakeside towns where you can find many of the finest luxury Lake Norman real estate options:

Cornelius

Nestled on the eastern side of Lake Norman, Cornelius is a laidback lakeside town established in 1905. The town started off as an agricultural community prior to the creation of Lake Norman in 1963. Cornelius has the largest expanse of the shoreline of all lakeside towns, with a shoreline spanning over 70 miles.

Cornelius is known for its relaxed atmosphere and great attractions for all ages. Its downtown area is home to a vibrant mix of retail establishments ranging from quirky gift stores and antique shops to high-end fashion boutiques, and everything in between. The town is home to the prestigious Peninsula Yacht Club, which features world-class amenities for avid boaters and water recreation enthusiasts.

Davidson

Davidson is a town known for its small-town character and welcoming, family-friendly environment. The town has received several awards for its safe, pedestrian-friendly miles of greenways and walking trails. Davidson’s network of trails connects its neighborhoods and provides a convenient and pleasant way to get around town.

One of Davidson’s highlights is its award-winning downtown area, which features beautiful elegant turn-of-the-century buildings, home to an array of shops offering everything from apparel, vintage décor, books, gift items, and more. Here’s where you’ll also find a wide variety of cafés and eclectic restaurants. If you need to grab a quick bite after an afternoon of shopping or would like to just dine more leisurely, you have many choices.

Davidson residents look forward to an exciting lineup of community events each year, including Town Day, Earth Day, Fourth of July Parade, Concerts on the Green, the Davidson Fall Art Festival, Halloween March, and Christmas in Davidson.

Huntersville

Located about 13 miles north of Charlotte, Huntersville is a suburban town that offers something for everyone. The town is an ideal place to live for families as it’s home to many of the region’s top-rated public, private, and charter schools. Among Huntersville’s highly acclaimed schools is Lake Norman Charter School, considered one of the best high schools in the state.

Huntersville also features several national and internationally recognized companies as well, including Novant Health, GM Financial, Rubbermaid, SABIC Innovative Plastics, Metrolina Greenhouses, and Southwire.

For leisure and recreation, Huntersville offers a diverse selection of year-round activities including hiking, golf, water sports, tennis, and more. Its parks and recreational venues are managed by the excellent Huntersville Parks & Recreation Department, which organizes a variety of programs and activities for all ages.

The Lake Norman Lifestyle

Whether you’re in the mood for fun retail, a hearty feast, or a thrilling outdoor experience with the family, the myriad of attractions and destinations around Lake Norman are guaranteed to delight.

Here’s a glimpse of the lifestyle you can look forward to in Lake Norman.

Exciting Recreational Activities

With a vast surface area of more than 50 square miles and over 520 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is a haven for water sports and recreation. Several marinas line its shores, providing access to numerous boat launches, watercraft rentals, and refueling stations.

A favorite outdoor destination is Lake Norman State Park which features an extensive network of mountain biking trails, beautiful swimming beaches, a boathouse complex, and more than 30 campsites. For a fun day at the lake, head to the park’s visitor center, which offers kayak, paddleboard, canoe, and pedal boat rentals. Use of the park’s boat ramp is free, and there are many great fishing spots available for anglers.

For wake sports like wakeboarding, wakesurfing, and foiling, there are many venues offering rentals, lessons, private charters, and summer camps on Lake Norman such as Ride LKN Wake & Surf Co., Lake Effects, STP Wake, and IcyWakes Surf Shop.

There are also multiple boat clubs and boat rental opportunities available on the lake. Whether you’re looking to access the lake for just a few hours by boat, or looking to regularly select a boat to take out on the water, multiple options exist. Freedom Boat Club and Carefree Boat Club are two of the most popular boat clubs on the lake, with multiple locations. If you’re looking for hourly or day, half day rentals, check out 77 Watersports or Carolina Boat Rentals.

If you’re after a more relaxing experience, one of the most popular sightseeing tour operators on Lake Norman is Queens Landing. Located just 30 minutes north of Charlotte, Queens Landing offers a variety of tours including a four-course dinner cruise on the luxurious Lady of the Lake Yacht and casual lunch and dinner sightseeing tours on The Catawba Queen, a replica Mississippi River Boat. Boat owners are also welcome to dock at Queens Landing’s Floating Dock Bar to take a break while enjoying a refreshing ice-cold beverage.

Family-Friendly Destinations

Families can find a wide array of exciting attractions for all ages throughout Lake Norman.

Carrigan Farms, for example, features a serene natural quarry oasis that’s a favorite swimming spot for many families, especially during the summer.

There’s the Carolina Raptor Center, where visitors can get an up-close look at more than 25 species of native and exotic birds of prey like eagles, hawks, kites, falcons, merlins, and vultures.

For families looking forward to a fun action-packed day, there are a lot of exciting attractions like the GoPro Motorplex, home to an 0.7-mile 11-turn kart racing track, and The Pit, a massive 140,000-square-foot entertainment facility that also features go-kart racing, together with other attractions like a laser tag arena, a mini-golf course, escape rooms, and more.

Incredible Shopping Venues

Love shopping? The towns surrounding Lake Norman feature a dazzling mix of shopping venues ranging from open-air shopping malls, expansive outlet centers, to vibrant downtown areas lined with an array of local-owned boutiques.

Some of the most popular shopping destinations to visit around Lake Norman are:

• Birkdale Village
• Northcross Shopping Center
• Magnolia Plaza
• The Shops At The Fresh Market

Exquisite Waterfront Dining

With so much shoreline, there’s a bountiful number of great dining spots around the lake. Savor delicious cuisine while enjoying the views of Lake Norman at these top-rated waterfront restaurants:

Port City Club is the largest waterfront restaurant on Lake Norman, featuring more than 13,500 square feet comprised of a luxurious open dining area, a spacious covered deck, and a scenic beach patio with cabana-style seating. This is the perfect venue to visit if you’re looking to take in gorgeous views of the water while indulging in fresh seafood dishes made with the finest ingredients.

Port City Club’s relaxing ambiance is enhanced by a diverse menu filled with exceptional dishes. Among the stars of the show is the lobster and shrimp roll, a flavor-packed combination of Maine lobster and poached shrimp drizzled with mayo and topped with basil, scallion, and fried capers. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, order their excellent lamb pita burger with spinach, dill, onions, arugula, feta cheese, and their house-made tzatziki.

Hello, Sailor is a trendy open-concept establishment offering a seafood-driven menu in a light and breezy dining atmosphere. Their tiki bar and patio area offer picture-perfect views of Lake Norman, making it a terrific place to enjoy a nice afternoon cocktail.

Their menu is filled with sure-fire palate-pleasers, from the delectable buttermilk fried chicken salad, the zesty jerk-rubbed catfish, to their fall-off-the-bone baby back pork ribs.

One of Davidson’s premier fine dining establishments, North Harbor Club specializes in contemporary American cuisine with dishes all hand-prepared and made from only top-quality locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant elevates the dining experience with a unique regatta-inspired theme. Oar-clad walls, vintage sailing memorabilia, and a massive sailboat in the entryway, tie in perfectly with the panoramic lake view.

North Harbor Club delights diners with their impressive culinary spread that includes favorites like lobster chowder, succulent shrimp and scallop linguine, and cornmeal-crusted catfish, all served with a zest that other seafood restaurants simply cannot match. In addition to their mouthwatering seafood dishes, the restaurant offers a variety of delicious vegan and vegetarian options and a great selection of imported craft beers and wines.

Start Your Search for the Finest Lake Norman Real Estate Options

If you’re in the market for the very best Lake Norman real estate options, our team of Lake Norman experts from Cottage Real Estate is ready to go above and beyond to help you find a home that matches your unique requirements and preferences.

As the premier Lake Norman real estate team, we have a solid track record, built by providing unmatched assistance to buyers and sellers throughout Lake Norman. We offer a full range of property management services as well, including purchasing investment properties, securing tenants, and assisting in the design and execution of renovations for investment properties.

If you’re looking for an ideal home in Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, and other desirable communities in Lake Norman, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more experienced, knowledgeable, and reliable group to have at your side than the Cottage Real Estate team.

Get in touch with us today by calling 704.842.1500, or sending email us amy(at)cottagere(dotted)com .