Along the Catawba River, Mount Holly is a Charlotte suburb shaping its own identity with several completed and in-progress projects in economic development, arts and recreation. This includes a new vision for downtown, which is home to the community garden, farmers market and Mount Holly Historical Society. Future plans include an expanded downtown park, new sidewalks and student-created public art. The United States Census Bureau estimated Mount Holly’s population to be around 18,000 in 2023.
With a past rooted in the textile industry, Mount Holly still has serval manufacturing firms, including American & Efird, the world's second-largest thread maker. Freightliner Trucks manufacturing plant is another major employer. Many residents also work in Charlotte. “The growth of Charlotte in the banking, Health Care and Manufacturing industries are all massive draws to the region, and now, with a massive growth in IT and Engineering trades, it is allowing for Mount Holly to grow in so many ways and making it an ideal commuter location,” says Kaila Lindsey, a broker with eXp Realty.
Mount Holly is a quickly growing city drawing new residents with the lower home ownership options just outside of Charlotte.
Visitors of the Mount Holly Farmers Market will find various local and regional vendors.
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A variety of housing styles and prices
Closer to downtown, bungalows built between 1900 and 2022 range from $185,000 to about $465,000. Further out, there is more variety, from 60s brick ranch-style homes to newly built traditional homes on a cul-de-sac. They sell for $115,000 to $855,000. Near Mountain Island Lake, properties tend to be larger, and some offer lakefront views. They start at $715,000 and go up to about $1,5 million. “The affordable areas around Charlotte are getting smaller and smaller as the area expands, pushing folks to look farther outside of the area,” Lindsey says. “Mount Holly offers a lot of opportunity as the homes are of a lower price point and provide more property for the dollar.”
There are many newly built home developments spread all across the Mount Holly area.
There are many small, older homes spread around the area close to and surrounding downtown Mount Holly.
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Kayaking on the Catawba River
The city has six parks offering a variety of recreational activities, including kayaking and canoeing on the Catawba River. Residents who enjoy taking their boats out on Mountain Island Lake and Lake Wylie can store their vessels at Tailrace Marina. Back on land, there are miles of hiking and nature trails in Mountain Island Park and the Riverhawk Greenway. White Water Center is a privately owned facility with mountain biking and hiking trails that are free for public use. “Its major draw is the zip lining, white water rafting, flat water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding, as well as rock climbing,” Lindsey says.
The beautiful Catawba River borders the Eastern side of Mount Holly.
Many residents and visitors enjoy the many activities, like kayaking, that they can easily access on the Catawba River from Mount Holly.
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Historic downtown Mount Holly and holidays events
Historic downtown Mount Holly has a small-town feel with independent restaurants, boutiques and breweries. It’s still in the process of growing with the Veteran’s Park expansion plan that will add amenities like an amphitheater and splash pad to downtown’s shopping district. True to its name, Seafood Boil NC serves fresh crawfish, shrimp and lobster. Larger shopping centers and malls in Charlotte and surrounding areas are anywhere from 10 to 20 miles away.
Main Street is the site of many of the city’s events. Every holiday season, the city celebrates Yule Love Mount Holly, which consists of events like horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa and the annual Christmas parade. When the weather warms up, it’s time for Springfest, with an Arbor Day celebration, golf tournament and community dinner. There’s also the summer concert series called Mount Holly Nights, which features local musicians, food trucks and more.
Downtown Mount Holly is lined with beautiful historic buildings, residents and visitors can learn more at the Mount Holly Historical Society on Main Street.
The snow even makes an appearance during the annual Mount Holly Miracle on Main Street.
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Gaston County Schools and a charter school
Mount Holly, part of Gaston County Schools, has three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. The school district earns a B-plus grade on Niche. Students can also apply to attend one of the county's 17 magnet schools and academies. “For many, the schools have a little ways to go,” Lindsey says. “The ratings vary but are not top-notch when looking at the standard rating scale.” Mountain Island Charter School is an alternative option for kindergarten through Grade 12. Mount Holly is located near several private and public colleges, including Belmont Abbey College, Gaston College and Central Piedmont Community College.
Many of the Mount Holly Middle School students will continue on to East Gaston High School.
Mountain Island Charter School receives high proficiency scores for Mount Holly students through niche.com.
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Just off of Interstate 85
On Interstate 85, Mount Holly is about a 16-mile drive for those commuting to uptown Charlotte. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is closer to 10 miles away. The intersection of Interstate 485 and Interstate 85 to the south of Mount Holly can get heavy traffic in the mornings and evenings. But, because of the city’s location, residents can take other paths to avoid the traffic. CaroMont Regional Medical Center is off North Carolina Highway 27 in Mount Holly.
The city has four distinct seasons, with mild winters where temperatures can sometimes reach the 60s. Summers range from the upper 80s to the low 90s. According to the most recent data from the Mount Holly Police Department, violent crimes decreased by 23% from 2020 to 2021, while property crimes increased by 11% in the same timeframe.
Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Judy Brandt,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Mount Holly, NC sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Mount Holly, NC over the last 12 months is $325,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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