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Optimist Park

Optimist Park

$487,637 Average Value
$322 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Optimist Park offers trendy living in Charlotte

Optimist Park is an up-and-coming, trendy Charlotte neighborhood with roots as a former textile hub, where old mill buildings still stand and help blend the city’s past and present. Designed to appeal to millennials, this area offers a walkable, urban feel and quick access to nearby hotspots. Its convenient location near Uptown, NoDa and the light rail makes it especially popular with residents who want an easy commute and plenty of dining, nightlife and cultural options close by.

Optimist Park is an up-and-coming neighborhood located just north of Uptown Charlotte.
Optimist Park is an up-and-coming neighborhood located just north of Uptown Charlotte.
Optimist Hall is a food hall located in Optimist Park offering a variety of food options.
Optimist Hall is a food hall located in Optimist Park offering a variety of food options.
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Diverse housing options suit many lifestyles

Housing in Optimist Park is a mix of apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes, with both older and newer builds sprinkled throughout. Townhomes from the mid-2000s sit next to modern apartment buildings that borrow design details from the area’s original mill-style architecture. A little over half the residents rent. For those looking to buy, homes tend to fall in the high $200,000s to mid-$400,000s range, depending on size and condition. “Although new development is quickly adding to the area, there's still that kind of old-timey feel from hearing trains pass through at night,” says James Webb, former resident and Realtor who has sold homes in the neighborhood.

The Optimist Park neighborhood offers many different styles of homes.
The Optimist Park neighborhood offers many different styles of homes.
Residents of Optimist Park enjoy the quiet neighborhood streets just outside Uptown Charlotte.
Residents of Optimist Park enjoy the quiet neighborhood streets just outside Uptown Charlotte.
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Locals shop and eat at Optimist Hall

Optimist Hall is the main hangout spot for shopping and dining here. “It's the neighborhood's namesake open-air commercial area where you can hang out, talk and grab all types of food,” says Jennifer Monroe, a broker with Compass who has sold homes in the area since 2012. Vendors here include:

  • Bao and Bun, which serves hot ramen and fluffy steamed bao buns
  • Enat Ethiopian, where the menu features injera and other traditional Ethiopian dishes
  • Honeysuckle Gelato, known for rich milkshakes, ice cream, and gelato in a variety of flavors

Optimist Hall showcases a large number of dining options for locals to enjoy in Optimist Park.
Optimist Hall showcases a large number of dining options for locals to enjoy in Optimist Park.
Optimist Hall is a great place for locals to gather, with something for everyone.
Optimist Hall is a great place for locals to gather, with something for everyone.
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Magnet programs at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools offers flexible school choice through magnet programs and specialized schools using a lottery system. Students can apply to schools that focus on arts, languages, or STEM beyond their zoned school.

Villa Heights Elementary School is one of the available options for young students in Optimist Park.
Villa Heights Elementary School is one of the available options for young students in Optimist Park.
Eastway Middle School is a part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Eastway Middle School is a part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Garinger High School is one of the high school options for Optimist Park students.
Garinger High School is one of the high school options for Optimist Park students.
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Connected to Cordelia Park and miles of trails

Little Sugar Creek Greenway passes through the neighborhood and offers 19 miles of paved trails along Little Sugar Creek. It is a part of the Cross Charlotte Trail, which will be within walking distance of around 130,000 jobs when completed. Cordelia Park is another nearby option with shady greenspace, a basketball court and a playground. Residents can visit the park to spend a sunny day at the public outdoor swimming pool or take in city views while walking along the park's small system of trails.

The basketball court at Cordelia Park in nearby Vila Heights features a large mural.
The basketball court at Cordelia Park in nearby Vila Heights features a large mural.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway connects many Charlotte neighborhoods to Uptown and beyond.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway connects many Charlotte neighborhoods to Uptown and beyond.
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Light rail, buses and I-277 nearby

A convenient location and accessible transportation contribute to Optimist Park's growing popularity. The neighborhood features transportation channels like the Parkwood station on Charlotte’s LYNX Blue Line (also called the light rail) and CATS bus stops that run up and down North Davidson Street. The neighborhood also borders Interstate 277. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just 10 or so miles to the west, while the closest hospital, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, is about 2 miles south.

Crime

Optimist Park has a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, which is higher than the national average score of 4 out of 10. Life Connections works to lower juvenile crime rates through mentoring, counseling and workforce exploration programs. The nonprofit organization was based in Optimist Park until 2024 when it moved to the Oakview Terrace neighborhood.

Braxton Chea
Written By
Braxton Chea
Ryan Gwilliam
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
Jacob Branchaud
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Jacob Branchaud

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Charlotte/Douglas International

18 min drive

Bus

Davidson St & 28th St

Bus

Davidson St & 22nd St

Bus

Davidson St & Belmont Ave

Bus

Davidson St & 19th St

Bus

Davidson St & 16th St

Bus

Davidson St & 25th St

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Optimist Park US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 7 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Optimist Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$579,900
Median Sale Price
$550,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$560,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$569,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$299,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$322

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
187
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
2006
Months of Supply
3.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,412
Significantly below the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,770
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,191
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
875
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,887
Median Age
32
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
3.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$55,874
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$77,175

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
49.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.1%
% Population in Labor Force
83.1%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
32°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
4''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

52 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

47 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

52 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Optimist Park
Dulce Delgado
Delgado Realty
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