Uptown Charlotte is separated into four quadrants, known as wards, and First Ward is the easternmost of the bunch. Neoclassical skyscrapers and office buildings with sleek glass façades are always in view, lighting up First Ward’s skyline at night. The neighborhood has a mix of office space, hospitality establishments and local attractions. This area is more of a business district and less residential than other parts of the city. "First Ward does have a handful of condos, but most people don’t actually live in Uptown,” says Brandy Rheinschmidt, a Realtor with EXP Realty who has been selling in the area since 2017. “They just travel there for events.” First Ward’s entertainment scene— theatres, museums and sporting events— bring Charlotteans from across Uptown.
Enjoy a night with family in Uptown Charlotte in the First Ward neighborhood.
A great overview shot of First Ward Park.
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Worldly cuisines and a sleek speakeasy
The Queen City has an emerging food scene, with restaurants carrying cuisines from all over the world. "There are a lot of fine dining options,” Rheinschmidt says. “If you want a really nice steakhouse, you specifically go to Uptown.” The Market at 7th Street represents this eclectic food scene, as it serves as a non-profit food hall for up-and-coming chefs and artisans to showcase their menus. For an upscale date spot, locals head to The Cellar at Duckworth's for vintage cocktails, prime meat cuts and seafood entrees in a speakeasy setting. Midtown, the neighboring city southeast of First Ward, is where many residents regularly shop at the Metropolitan shopping center, which has a Target and Trader Joe's.
Welcome to 7th Street Market in the First Ward neighborhood.
Enjoy a night out with family at the 7th Street Market Restaurant.
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A city skyline of High-rise condos and apartments
Modern shotgun homes with two stories, Dutch Colonial Foursquares and traditional new builds are common in the area, but don’t come on the market often. However, condos and townhouses make up the available housing options in First Ward and sell anywhere from $217,000 to $680,000, ranging from one- to three-bedroom. Homes sit along well-maintained sidewalks behind red maple and willow oak trees. "There are a lot of first-time homebuyers coming here," says Sasa Mujanovic, a Realtor at Compass Real Estate. "Many people are leaving densely populated cities like New York City and Chicago for Charlotte." High-rise condo and apartment buildings on the western perimeter round out the residential properties of First Ward and host a lot of the young demographic moving to the city.
Townhomes are also popular in the First Ward neighborhood.
You can find Condos around the First Ward neighborhood.
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Home of the Charlotte Hornets
Residents can catch sports games, comedy shows and concerts at The Spectrum Center. The center is also home to the city’s eponymous NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets. In First Ward, Blumenthal Arts has several venues including The Blumenthal Arts Center, which houses the Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Stage Door Theater. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is a children's library and theater with art classes and demonstrations, while Discovery Place Science has exhibits and an aquarium. Additionally, the "Halloween Parade and Thanksgiving Parade go through downtown, passing through some of the streets in First Ward," Mujanovic says.
The Spectrum Center is home to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Children’s Theater of Charlotte
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First Ward Park and pockets of green space
"The namesake park, First Ward Park, was redone in the last few years, spanning 4 acres with views of the Spectrum Center," Mujanovic says. The park is the community's most significant green space, with a sculpture garden, an interactive fountain with mist, exercise equipment along the trails and park benches. First Ward Park is also home to the 2024 Lovin’ Life Music Festival, which drew around 30,000 people who were in attendance. While it was the festival's first year, it’s expected to become an annual event. Linear Park runs through the median of East 9th Street, edged by condos and small areas of green space. It extends three city blocks and provides a convenient spot for dog walkers or joggers. Though small, the 8th Street Community Garden allows residents to grow flowers and herbs.
Statues are an enjoyable amenity of the First Ward neighborhood.
Linear Park offers a great location for walking, jogging, and other activities.
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Walkable elementary school and a college prep program
First Ward Creative Arts Academy is rated a C-plus by Niche.com and serves as a walkable elementary school for neighborhood residents. It specializes in art-integrated learning across all curriculums and is proud of its students' diversity. Sedgefield Middle, rated B-minus, and Myers Park High, an A-rated school, are just south of downtown. Myers Park has 13 campus buildings, spread over 60 acres. It is designed to resemble a mini university and has an outstanding college preparatory program.
Welcome to Sedgefield Middle School in Charlotte, NC.
Garinger High School is a public school in Charlotte.
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Residents walk and bike to work
CATS bus stations are located on each block, and the light rail at 7th Street Station is an option for navigating Charlotte metropolitan and surrounding area. Charlotte Joy Rides electric bikes are also available for zero-emissions commuting, and many residents walk to work. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is only 8 miles west along U.S. Highway 29/74.
The 7th Street Station is open for all locals and visitors of the First Ward neighborhood.
Joy Rides at 7th Street Station
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Crime
The neighborhood’s CAP Index crime score is 9 out of 10, significantly above the national average of 4. Uptown neighborhoods are invited to the annual Center City National Night Out, where residents can meet with local law enforcement to learn about safety programs. Community organizations will also set up tables to provide resources about health and safety.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3 bed/2.5 bath townhome in the heart of vibrant First Ward — just blocks from First Ward Park, the light rail and all Uptown has to offer! A spacious, covered front porch welcomes you into a sun-filled living room with a cozy fireplace, perfect for winding down after a busy day. The galley-style kitchen seamlessly flows into the dining area, creating a warm
Motivated sellers! Priced over $100K below appraised value, this luxury corner unit in the heart of Uptown Charlotte offers unmatched value and style. Boasting over 1,900 sq ft, the expansive open floorplan is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the space with natural light and offering stunning year-round views of the Charlotte skyline. Perfect for entertaining or relaxing, the massive
The perfect spot in Uptown Charlotte! A stunning 4-story condo with a private rooftop terrace, located in the heart of the Garden District. 2 beds/1 bath on lower level. Private master suite on the 3rd floor. The fourth-floor terrace with views of downtown is a relaxing retreat with trees that add to the tranquility. Many improvements, including a custom island in the kitchen, new appliances
TOUR YOUR WAY! We have a tour to fit your needs- virtual, self-guided, or with a leasing agent. Find your next home at MAA Enclave in Charlotte, NC. With dozens of unique floor plans and designer finishes, this boutique apartment community sets the standard for luxury in Uptown Charlotte. Our studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes feature hardwood flooring, granite countertops,
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome nestled in the heart of First Ward—just steps from First Ward Park, the light rail, and all the energy of Uptown Charlotte.A charming, covered front porch invites you into a bright and airy living room featuring a cozy fireplace—an ideal retreat after a long day. The galley-style kitchen flows effortlessly into the
City living when you want it and a quiet retreat when you need it. The Ellis combines stylish apartments and cosmopolitan amenities with a prime location in the most sought-after ZIP code in Charlotte. The hottest restaurants and craved shopping are within walking distance and so is First Ward Park. The Ellis lets you pivot effortlessly from work to play, day to evening, weekdays to weekend, and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rob Bilbro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,180
Median Age
35
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$95,876
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$123,020
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
College Graduates
62.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.5%
% Population in Labor Force
80.5%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
94/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
76/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
