Cornelius is a small town in Mecklenburg County on the shore of Lake Norman with waterfront homes, expansive greenways and plenty of parks. Interstate 77 cuts the city almost in half, creating eastern and western sides with their own identities. The western half is known for its waterfront homes and Lake Norman views, while the eastern side has a budding art scene in the downtown area. “Cornelius is the ultimate destination,” says Kay Fisher, co-owner of KB Fisher & Co and a dedicated local expert and trusted Realtor who lives and works in the Cornelius community. “It’s a place where people truly connect with their community — so much so that when they move, they often choose to stay nearby. In my neighborhood, I’ve seen families move from one section to another because of the connections they’ve built with their neighbors.”
Residents have easy access to fishing spots and outdoor destinations, but the town also keeps the community engaged with multiple events throughout the year— from festivals to seasonal house decorating contests. While downtown Cornelius — nicknamed Old Town Cornelius — has locally owned boutiques and restaurants, Huntersville and Charlotte are south of the city, with even more dining and shopping. Cornelius residents hold on to their homes for as long as they can to stay close to Lake Norman and the budding art scene downtown.
Cain Center for the Arts, in Cornelius has many events including art displays.
Cornelius has easy access to I-77 from exit 28. Locals refer to Cornelius as "Exit 28."
A row of waterfront homes on Lake Norman in the Peninsula neighborhood.
Lake Norman is the largest man made lake in NC, Cornelius is a wonderful part of the area.
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Homes near the lake or Old Town Cornelius
Homes in west Cornelius are often waterfront homes and large contemporary properties, while those in the east are more ranch-style homes, Craftsmans and townhouses. The Peninsula, where former basketball star Michael Jordan owns a home and many race car drivers live, and Jetton Cove, known for its walkability, are two popular neighborhoods in western Cornelius that Fisher highlights. In the east, there’s Antiquity. “The neighborhood is a mixed-use development with shopping, restaurants, housing and a greenway. It has easy access to Davidson,” Fisher says. Antiquity residents cross under the Bridge to Antiquity's red roof when they walk roughly a mile to Davidson College's campus or downtown Davidson.
Luxury homes near the lake range between $1 million to over $18 million, while homes away from the water start in the $300,000s and reach over $3 million. Most townhouses start in the $300,000s. The variation in housing across the city leads to a $792,500 median price for single-family homes compared to the $418,700 national median reported by the National Association of Realtors.
Many lake front homes can be found in Cornelius.
Cornelius is considered a higher end area of Lake Norman.
The Town of Cornelius, the second youngest of Mecklenburg County's towns, founded in 1893.
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Working for the school district or commuting to Charlotte
Many of the nearly 32,000 residents here work for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, one of the city’s largest employers. The Peninsula Club golf course and the Town of Cornelius follow suit, employing over 150 people as of 2020. Residents might also commute north to work at Davidson College or south for financial jobs in Charlotte. The city's Downtown Masterplan lays out a 15-year roadmap for preserving historic features, improving walkability and developing more attractions. A county-wide transportation referendum will make around $5 million available in 2026 to improve roads and build the Red Line commuter rail to Charlotte.
Cornelius Elementary School provides a public education to students.
Cornelius is in Mecklenburg County and has stops for the CATS bus that runs to Charlotte.
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Living near Lake Norman and the Emerald Necklace
Cornelius encourages an active lifestyle with its lake access, greenways and parks. The town recently broke ground at Bailey Road Park to add six tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts, making it the largest collection of public pickleball courts in the Charlotte area. Jetton Park features a swim beach, where many locals and visitors cool off during the summer.
Robbins Park and Nature Preserve is the town's largest and often busiest park due to its fishing spots, walking trails and athletic complex. Three of the park’s trails connect to the Emerald Necklace, a 13-mile greenway that loops around the city and flows south to the Birkdale Village shopping area in Huntersville. The community holds its parks in high regard and voted to pass a referendum in 2024 to make $20 million available in 2035 for parks and recreation projects.
Enjoy a walk on The Emerald Necklace, a 13 mile greenway through Cornelius.
Sailing is a popular sport on Lake Norman in Cornelius.
Robbins Park is a popular spot in Cornelius for kids, just not in the cold.
Birkdale Village is a large shopping center on the border of Cornelius.
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Celebrating all things art at the 'Tawba Walks Art & Music Festival
While parks are essential, Cornelius also continues to develop its cultural scene. “There was a grassroots cultural movement about a year before the Cain Center was built,” Fisher says. “It’s a $25 million building that has shaped a lot of the redevelopment downtown.” Every September, musicians, food vendors and artists attend the ‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festivals in Old Town Cornelius. Also downtown, the town sponsors the 2nd Friday Street Festival Series, which occurs monthly from May to October. The theme changes each month, but there are almost always free games, live music, food trucks and craft vendors.
Cain Center for the Arts is a visual and performing arts center in Cornelius.
Art is celebrated throughout Downtown Cornelius.
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I-77 access to Charlotte and Huntersville
I-77 cuts through Cornelius and leads 20 miles south to Charlotte, where some residents travel for work or to catch a flight at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The Charlotte Area Transit System offers local bus routes throughout the town center and into Charlotte. Novant Health has multiple urgent care centers and medical offices, but the nearest hospitals are Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in the north and Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center in the south. Multiple churches and two synagogues are throughout the city. Fisher says the area is very walkable, as most residential streets feature sidewalks that flow out from the neighborhoods to nearby shopping centers.
For 2023, the Cornelius Police Department reported a 9% increase in violent crimes and a 7% decrease in property crimes from the previous year. The city’s reported crime rate is well below the national average, according to FBI data.
Cornelius has easy access to I-77 from exit 28. Locals refer to Cornelius as "Exit 28."
Cornelius is in Mecklenburg County and has stops for the CATS bus that runs to Charlotte.
The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just under 30 minutes from Cornelius.
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center is just minutes from Cornelius.
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Supporting local businesses in Old Town Cornelius
Jetton Village Shoppes and Shops at the Fresh Market are two of the busier shopping centers in Cornelius, while downtown has more locally owned boutiques and restaurants near grocery stores. “People always ask about waterfront dining, and there’s Boatyard Eats, Hello Sailor and Port City Club,” Fisher says. For more shopping, Birkdale Village is an open-air center in Huntersville. Cornelius residents can bike down the greenway to the shopping center or drive about 4 miles down the toll road.
Cornelius is a great town to live in, with a population of 31,396.
Seeing residents exercise is a common sight in Cornelius.
Fresh Market is favorite of Cornelius residents.
The Old Town Public House in Cornelius has live music and other events nightly.
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High-tech classroom equipment at Hough High
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serves Cornelius and earns a B-plus from Niche. In 2023, William Amos Hough High was awarded an Infy Makers Awards grant from Infosys Foundation USA, which the school used to buy a laser cutter and 3D printer for the engineering, 3D art and career studies classes. Davidson College is north of Cornelius and is one of the only schools in the U.S. to offer financial aid through grants and student employment.
The entrance to Davidson Elementary School.
Hough is the largest high school in Huntersville.
Davidson College is one of the best private schools in the country, minutes from Cornelius.
Cornelius Elementary School provides a public education to students.
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Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Scott Brotherton
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Cornelius, NC sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Cornelius, NC over the last 12 months is $540,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
THE BEST VALUE ON LAKE NORMAN! This impeccably maintained & UPDATED unit features an open layout with tons of natural light and boasts year round west facing SUNSET views of Lake Norman! There is no place you would rather be than out enjoying the lifestyle this unit provides you. Updates include new paint in kitchen & throughout unit, w/ SS appliances, granite countertops, new wood style LVP
Step into this charming ground-floor condo in the highly sought-after Vineyard Point community! With two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, there’s plenty of space to make yourself right at home. Enjoy breathtaking views—especially at sunset—of the pool, boat slips, and the tranquil waters of Lake Norman. The kitchen seamlessly flows into the living room, featuring a cozy breakfast bar that’s
My sellers unfortunately had a change in their business relocation which has this renovated Oakhurst end unit ready to go! Light filled open floor plan offers 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 2 half baths. First floor bedroom has large walk-in closet / storage area. Perfect office option or guest suite as well. The second floor's open living concept does not disappoint. Large open living and
THE BEST VALUE ON LAKE NORMAN! This impeccably maintained & UPDATED unit features an open layout with tons of natural light and boasts year round west facing SUNSET views of Lake Norman! There is no place you would rather be than out enjoying the lifestyle this unit provides you. Updates include new paint in kitchen & throughout unit, w/ SS appliances, granite countertops, new wood style LVP
Step into this charming ground-floor condo in the highly sought-after Vineyard Point community! With two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, there’s plenty of space to make yourself right at home. Enjoy breathtaking views—especially at sunset—of the pool, boat slips, and the tranquil waters of Lake Norman. The kitchen seamlessly flows into the living room, featuring a cozy breakfast bar that’s
This beautifully maintained 3 BDRM, 2 BATH Ranch home on private premium wooded lot combines comfort, style, and thoughtful upgrades in one of Cornelius’ most desirable neighborhoods. Step inside to discover custom blinds throughout, adding a touch of elegance and privacy to every room. The Living Room has a gas log fireplace while spacious entertainment room features new wood flooring, perfect
55+ Adult Community! 24-month lease term & 2 months free on select units. Prices, availability, and promotions are subject to change. Easy LivingAlexander Farms, a River Rock Easy Living Community, is a vibrant active adult neighborhood offering beautifully designed single-family homes with attached garages. Coming soon, our second phase will introduce apartment homes for rent, providing
Home Sweet Home!Welcome to this beautifully renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home, thoughtfully updated to offer the perfect blend of modern convenience and cozy charm.Inside you’ll find:• 2 spacious bedrooms• Fully updated bathroom with sleek, modern fixtures• Brand-new kitchen featuring granite countertops and a custom backsplash• Large great room with a stunning brick accent
Charming Renovated 2-Bedroom Home in Prime Location! Looking for a cozy, modern space that’s move-in ready? This beautifully renovated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is the perfect blend of comfort and convenience! Nestled in a fantastic neighborhood, you'll enjoy easy access to local shops, parks, restaurants, public transportation, and Lake Norman. Step inside to discover: Two spacious bedrooms, fully
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