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
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Photography Contributed By
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Video By
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On average, homes in Cornelius, NC sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Cornelius, NC over the last 12 months is $560,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to the Harborside Townhomes subdivision!This beautiful, well-maintained end-unit townhome is located in the heart of Cornelius, in Bailey Middle and Hough High school districts, and offers a variety of features. The main floor boasts a Primary bedroom, elegant Hrdwood flooring throughout, and Plantation Shutters on all windows. Fresh paint provides a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The
Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome in the highly desirable Silver Quay community of Cornelius. With 1,356 sq ft of living space, this home features new stainless steel appliances, fresh paint, updated countertops, new windows, and new carpet upstairs. Enjoy the sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Community amenities include a
Enjoy living in this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 2-bath penthouse condo with easy elevator access in the highly sought-after Terraces at Oakhurst. This top-floor unit features soaring vaulted ceilings in the living room, creating a bright and spacious atmosphere. The stunning kitchen is updated and includes all new appliances in 2024. A new HVAC system, also installed in 2024, ensures
Charming, Meticulously Maintained, 1 Story, 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home with Covered Front Porch & 2 Car, Back load Garage, located in highly sought after 55+ community! Popular, Open Plan with extended Great Room, adding a Sunroom! Spacious Kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances including Refrigerator to remain, maple cabinets, tile back splash, crown molding, pantry & breakfast
Craving luxury lake living with the walkability of a vibrant city and none of the upkeep? Welcome to your dream retreat. This better-than-new townhome exudes resort-style elegance. Expansive 10 ft high ceilings on first floor with extra large windows and a gas fireplace for cozy evenings. The main-level primary suite features expansive windows and a serene sitting area—ideal for slow mornings and
"Experience Luxury Living at it's Finest in this stunning waterfront property nestled in a serene picturesque cove. This Renovated 4-bedroom, 3 and 1/2 bath home with a 1 full bath in crawlspace for pool convenience, offers modern amenities with breathtaking water views. Perfect for swimming in the saltwater pool, relaxing in the hot spa or open the accordion doors for
TOUR YOUR WAY! We have a tour to fit your needs- virtual, self-guided, or with a leasing agent. Find lakeside fun and luxury living at MAA Cornelius in Cornelius, NC. Our stunning collection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes provides a peaceful living experience with open floor plans. Find yourself soaking up the sun in our state-of-the-art pool, or enjoy an evening under the stars
Amazing water views from this beautiful 2 bedroom condo overlooking Lake Norman. Very clean unit with two large bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in kitchen. Elevator access to this second floor unit. Covered deck is accessible from the living room and from the primary bedroom. Primary bedroom offers a walk-in closet and dual vanity in the
Come home to The Alcove at Birkdale Village, where modern luxury meets comfort and convenience. Tucked away in beautiful Cornelius, just off the shores of Lake Norman, The Alcove offers a stunning selection of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments and townhomes perfect for any lifestyle.At The Alcove at Birkdale Village, you’ll find more than just a home – you’ll discover a lifestyle of convenience.
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