Locust blends rapid development with community traditions
Locust is a small but growing city about 30 miles east of downtown Charlotte. The population grew rapidly in 2020, and has been growing ever since; this western Stanly County community is expected to approach 7,000 residents in 2025, making it one of the fastest growing cities in North Carolina. This growth means more facilities are being built to accommodate the population. “The current senior center has outgrown its capacity, and a larger, improved center will be completed in the near future,” says Johanna Martin, a Realtor and team lead with River Valley Group at Carolina Living Associates. Additionally, a multimillion-dollar YMCA is coming to
Locust, which will include fitness and aquatics facilities within its 30,000 square feet.
Despite its rapid expansion, however, the town has held fast to its small-town ethos. “Locust has tight-knit community charm,” Martin says. Locals can get together at community events organized by the city, like movie nights, summer concerts and holiday festivities. The annual Christmas parade features vintage cars and homemade floats. “Whether you enjoy active recreation, family-friendly festivals, neighborhood events, or casual dining, there’s always something to do. And Charlotte’s just a short drive away,” Martin says.
Home styles vary across Locust neighborhoods
As the area’s population grows, Locust has seen a surge in new construction. “There are many growing communities with over 2,023 new construction homes permitted to be built, according to my most recent inquiry with the local administration,” Martin says. But that new construction is interspersed among the town’s longstanding older homes. As a result, some homes in Locust are sparsely scattered along rural roads, while others sit on uniform lots within subdivisions. Yards vary in size, and some newer neighborhoods have sidewalks. One of the newer neighborhoods, The Villages at Red Bridge Golf Club, is a golf community with homes surrounded by undulating fairways.
Architectural styles across Locust include New Traditional, ranch-style and modern transitional homes. Prices range from about $280,000 to $590,000, with fixer-uppers as low as $220,000. On the higher end, buyers can find recently built custom homes with multicar garages and HOA fees. Charleston Place is a 55-plus community with homes ranging from about $260,000 to $310,000. Land parcels are also available.
Students are zoned for Stanly County Schools
Stanly County Schools, rated B on Niche, serves the area. Locust Elementary School is the best public elementary school in Stanly County according to Niche, which awards it an A-minus rating. Math, science and reading performances in grades three through five exceed county and state levels, according to the North Carolina School Report Card for the 2023-2024 school year. Students may advance to West Stanly Middle, rated B-plus, and West Stanly High, rated B. Alternatively, B-rated Carolina Christian School offers a private option for all grade levels.
Dining and shopping options span from local to national names
Stores and restaurants can be found along State Route 27 and at the city’s main intersection, where State Route 27 meets Central Avenue. The Brew Room serves home-brewed beer on tap, while Sunrise Grill offers hearty breakfasts starting at 5 a.m. Shoppers can get groceries and other essentials at Food Lion and Walmart Supercenter. Locust Farmers’ Market sells homemade goods and locally grown produce from May through September.
Sports, paintball and golf provide outdoor fun in Locust
Centrally located Locust City Park has a playground, tennis courts, baseball fields and a walking trail. The park hosts summer sports programs and camps for adults and kids. When summer temperatures rise, park-goers can find some relief on the tree-shaded trail. Locals can also let loose at Boss Paintball Fields or meet up at Red Bridge Golf Club, a public course with memberships available. On the club’s 18-hole course, golfers may encounter geese or deer on the hilly terrain and cross the namesake red bridge over a pond.
Locust sits between major highways with access to Charlotte
Locust is a car-dependent community along State Route 27. It’s located between Interstate 485, which encircles Charlotte, and Interstate 74, which connects to Winston-Salem. U.S. Route 601 is also nearby, which extends north-south across the state. The nearest hospital is Atrium Health Cabarrus, about 20 miles away. Locust is about 40 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and about 30 miles from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, a smaller air travel option.
