St. Stephens is a growing community near Hickory’s charming downtown
With a small city to the west and rolling pastures to the east, Saint Stephens is a Catawba County suburb with a rural feel. It offers an attractive blend of being close to a vibrant downtown while being removed enough to see the stars at night. “It’s a very family-oriented area that’s convenient to Downtown Hickory, Lake Hickory, shopping and dining. It’s a very popular place to be,” says Stephanie Hefner, a Catawba Valley native and Realtor with eXp Realty. She adds that St. Stephens is in a period of growth, as its larger lot sizes and accessible home prices are drawing buyers seeking to relocate for the region’s growing data center industry. “There are a lot of people moving in from out of state, so the streets are getting busier. But we’re not Charlotte, so we don’t have that kind of traffic.”
Saint Stephens locals can head downtown Hickory and enjoy the popular Notions restaurant.
The surrounding areas of Saint Stephens are full of beautiful and dense old-growth forests.
1/2
A range of home styles on spacious lots outside Hickory
Single-family homes in St. Stephens fill a mosaic of numerous small but growing subdivisions connected by winding two-lane roads. Dense woods fill the spaces in between. Ranch-style homes are the most common, but with steady development from the 1940s to the present, various architectural styles are present in the neighborhood, from small post-war cottages to midcentury split-levels and recently built New Traditional homes. Space is often a selling point. “Typically, lots are bigger in St. Stephens. You’ll get more land for the same, or even a lower, price as you would with a house in Hickory,” Hefner says. These lots, which can exceed a half-acre, are often highly landscaped with manicured shrubs and shade trees. Home prices start as low as $120,000 and can reach upwards of $450,000. St. Stephens also has manufactured homes ranging from $100,000 to about $250,000. The market here is active, with properties typically selling after 26 days on average, roughly half the national average.
Saint Stephens residents enjoy spacious lots.
Ranch-style homes are one of the most common sights in Saint Stephens.
1/2
Parks, a pool and outdoor recreation near Lake Hickory
Lake Hickory, a link in what’s known as the Catawba River Chain of Lakes, anchors outdoor recreation in St. Stephens. Watersports, including fishing and kayaking, are one of the more popular pastimes here. Several marinas provide boat storage and rental options, such as Lakeside Marina. The public Wittenburg Access Area features a sandy beach and swimming area. Boaters can cruise down to Lake Hickory Pub & Marina to dock for lunch with a view. Hickory’s Getinter Trail connects to the city’s Riverwalk, which offers a scenic stroll over the water.
Farther inland, the 9-acre St. Stephens Park is where families take their children and dogs to run around a playground and dog park. Its LITeracy Trail and Garden Walk provide an interactive way for children to read while exploring nature. Generations of memories have been made at Kool Park Pool, a summer hotspot since the 1930s with a waterslide, four diving boards and a massive 235-foot-wide swimming pool. Golfers have several nearby courses to choose from, including Player’s Ridge Golf, which offers an 18-hole public course with views of the mountains in the distance.
Bruce Meisner Park is a new addition to the Hickory area. Stretching more than 70 acres, the park is home to a playground, picnic area and concrete cornhole boards. The city plans to add more to this park, like nature trails and possibly lake access, but there’s no official timeline.
Built into the natural rock base, the Kool Pool truly is a cool spot for Saint Stephens locals.
Visitors can enjoy the public soccer fields when there are no games at Henry Fork River Park.
1/2
Live music, food and beer at Hickory’s Oktoberfest
While St. Stephen’s subdivisions hold small events, residents countdown the days to Hickory’s annual Oktoberfest. Celebrating the city’s German heritage, the event takes place downtown on Union Square the second weekend of October. Tens of thousands of revelers, some donning lederhosen, enjoy live performances, shopping at vendors and tasting German cuisine and beer. The KidsFest area keeps little ones entertained. Oktoberfest also has a charitable cause: the Susan L. Coleman Castle of Cans. The annual month-long food drive culminates at the festival and supports several area food banks.
Local restaurants and entertainment in Downtown Hickory
With local restaurants and entertainment venues like Carolina Movie Theater, Downtown Hickory is where St. Stephens residents go for an evening out. Hefner says Notions in Union Square is a local favorite for American fare enjoyed on the patio or in its contemporary dining space featuring a gallery wall of mirrors. “Notions is more of a high-end place a few steps above restaurants like Outback Steakhouse,” Hefner says. The family-owned Las Isabelas is a go-to for traditional Mexican dishes and is also a meat market and tienda. Closer to home, chain restaurants and Roadside Grill, a small drive-through spot for burgers and hot dogs, dot Springs Road.
A centrally located Food Lion and Walmart Neighborhood Market make for quick grocery runs, but other national retailers can be found along U.S. Highway 70. Valley Hills Mall hosts two floors of department stores, while the Hickory Furniture Mart is a four-story hub filled with shops and galleries specializing in home furnishings.
Saint Stephens locals have plenty of options at the massive Hickory Furniture Mart.
Locals of Saint Stephens can enjoy the many shopping, dining and other entertainment of Hickory.
1/2
Catawba County’s highly rated public and private schools
Catawba County Schools earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche and offers three learning pathways: traditional schools, a virtual learning program and a Spanish Immersion program. Several elementary schools serve St. Stephens, including the A-minus-rated Snow Creek Elementary, which offers a competitive robotics club. Harry M. Arndt Middle receives a B-plus. Its Broyhill Leadership Academy is modeled after Lenior-Rhyne University’s invite-only Broyhill Leadership Institute. The private Lutheran school, with undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs, is about a 4-mile drive from most homes. St. Stephens High gets a B-plus. The boy's tennis team has performed well recently, making it to the 2024 3A state championship.
A private option includes St. Stephens Lutheran Christian School, which Niche does not yet rate. Its rising 9th-grade students typically move on to University Christian High School, an A-rated Lutheran school on the campus of Lenior-Rhyne University. Catawba Valley Community College and Appalachian State University’s Hickory campus are also in the area.
Snow Creek Elementary offers a robotics club to students.
Lenoir-Rhyne is a private university in Hickory nearby to Saint Stephens.
Saint Stephens High Schools receives a B- score on Niche.
St Stephen Lutheran School is one of the private school options available in the neighborhood.
Harry M Arndt Middle is a public school located in Hickory, NC.
1/5
Commutes and industries in western North Carolina
Local roads make for a short commute into Downtown Hickory, roughly 6 miles west of St. Stephens. Interstate 40, North Carolina’s mountain-to-sea highway, sits a few miles south of the community, connecting it to cities like Asheville and Winston-Salem. Charlotte is about 50 miles southeast via State Route 16. “You’re an hour from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and about four and a half hours from the beaches,” Hefner says. While Hickory is home to multiple manufacturing and healthcare jobs, the Catawba County region is also a growing hub for data centers. Google, Apple and Facebook all have facilities in the area.
Written By
Lia Jones
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Video By
Jarrod Bock
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andie Taylor,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
Designed around comfortable main-level living and effortless entertaining, this home offers a layout that feels both functional and inviting from the moment you step inside. Tall ceilings enhance the sense of space throughout the main living areas, creating an open, airy atmosphere with plenty of room to gather, relax, and enjoy everyday life.The thoughtfully designed floor plan keeps the
Rare find in NE Hickory! This beautiful immaculately kept home sits on 1.98 acres and offers the tranquility of natural springs and a picturesque creek running through the property. Enjoy peaceful country living in the sunroom overlooking the private back yard, while having the convenience of nearby amenities. This home offers a unique natural setting with plenty of wildlife to enjoy. It is
This updated full-brick ranch offers comfortable one-level living with additional finished space and a full basement, providing exceptional flexibility for a variety of needs. The owner has owned this home for nearly 40 years and has enjoyed all the changes it has seen.The versatile floor plan also offers the potential for multigenerational living, with spaces that can provide additional
Interior photos are representative. For modern style and comfortable, convenient design, choose the Hawthorn floor plan! The main level of this plan showcases an open layout featuring a kitchen with an island and walk-in pantry, a dining area, and a great room for relaxing and entertaining. The primary suite sits toward the back of the home, boasting a walk-in closet and a private bath. There are
Interior photos are representative. You’ll fall in love with the Oak, a versatile open-concept plan offering two stories of inviting living space and stylish features. As you enter the home from the ample front porch, a long foyer leads to a wide-open great room, a well-appointed kitchen with a spacious center island and a charming dining area with direct access to the patio. As you head
Updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offering approximately 900 sq ft of comfortable, single-level living on a 0.28-acre lot. The home was remodeled and updated approximately four years ago, with the gas furnace and HVAC system also installed at that time. Refrigerator, washer, and dryer are included, adding extra convenience for the new owner. Outside, the backyard features a storage shed for lawn
Interior photos are representative. For modern style and comfortable, convenient design, choose the Hawthorn floor plan! The main level of this plan showcases an open layout featuring a kitchen with an island and walk-in pantry, a dining area, and a great room for relaxing and entertaining. The primary suite sits toward the back of the home, boasting a walk-in closet and a private bath. There are
Picture a home that doesn’t just check boxes—it gives you the space to live, work, entertain, and grow. Tucked away on a cul-de-sac in desirable NE Hickory, this immaculate two-story home offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, multiple heating zones, and more than 3,800 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, including a fully finished walkout basement. Natural hardwood floors flow
Major Price Reduction! You can always update a house, but you can’t recreate character—and this charming all-brick home is full of it. Welcome to 3328 Sulphur Springs Rd, situated on a corner lot in desirable NE Hickory with no city taxes. This well-maintained one-level home offers two separate entrances, a covered rocking chair front porch, fresh paint throughout, and beautiful natural hardwood
Built by Northway Homes, MOVE IN READY at Frederick Estates, Hickory's newest community and one of the most exciting new construction opportunities in the area. This is the very first property to break ground in this brand-new subdivision, featuring 14 exceptionally built homes by Northway Homes with no HOA.The seller is offering a $5,000 credit toward closing costs when using the
Adjacent parcels for sale in Hickory, NC. This property includes 4 parcels located at the intersection of Spring Rd NE & Kool Park Rd NE. There are over 5.5 acres combined with 647 feet of road frontage! Located in a high-traffic area with high visibility, level topography & tons of nearby development! Property is zoned NC for Neighborhood Commercial which allows for general commercial,
Welcome to 1740 29th Ave Pl NE, a spacious and inviting home tucked away on a quiet dead-end street with nearly 2,300 square feet of comfortable living space, an oversized two-car garage, and no city taxes. From the moment you step inside, the main level offers an easy flow and a warm, welcoming feel, with LVP flooring throughout and plenty of room to gather, relax, and entertain.The living
Interior images may depict staging and are of the same floor plan but are not representative of the actual home. Shown for illustrative purposes only. The two-story Mitchell plan offers abundant space in an inviting open-concept layout. On the main floor, an expansive great room flows into a charming dining area and well-appointed kitchen with a generous corner pantry and center island.
Welcome to Argyle Place, a wonderful apartment community with everything you're looking for. Unwind at the swimming pool or take advantage of the Argyle Place fitness trail. At Argyle Place, you're close to transportation, shopping, and entertainment. With a wide variety of apartment layouts to choose from, there's a perfect home for you at Argyle Place.
$2200 / 3br - 2400t2 - Beautiful Ranch Style House (Crestmont)3BR / 2Ba 2400ft2 available nowapplication fee details: $25 App Feehousew/d in unitno smokingcarportBeautiful brick, ranch style home, 3 bedroom painted with an antique white and eggshell finish, 2 full bath with large family room complete with fireplace, central air, gas heat, all appliances
Brand new home featuring an open-concept kitchen and living area. Five bedrooms, with one located on the main floor with a full bathroom nearby. Features a loft for personalized entertainment. Dual sinks and a walk-in closet in the primary suite. Washer and Dryer, Refrigerator, Microwave, Range and Dishwasher, all electric appliances included. Located minutes away from local dining, shopping and
Welcome to Oak Leaf Town Homes, where comfort and convenience come together just minutes from Hickory and Conover. These thoughtfully designed townhomes offer the perfect blend of space, style, and practicality—all at a great value.The main level features a spacious living area, a well-equipped kitchen, and a cozy dining space—ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. Upstairs,
LUXURY APARTMENTS!! Lake Vista Luxury apartments are located in Hickory convenient to the Viewmont area. This lovely 2 BR 2 BA apartment has LVP flooring. Kitchen has granite countertops, custom built cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Must see to appreciate!!
Pam WhiteAllison & White Property Management & Realty
Discover comfort and convenience in this 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom ranch-style home, offering a classic brick exterior and a welcoming layout. The property features a large driveway and carport, providing ample parking for everyday ease.Enjoy a well-maintained lawn perfect for outdoor activities or simple relaxation. Inside, the home offers practical living spaces designed for comfort and
3 bedroom / 1.5 bathroom END UNIT townhome for rent in Hickory, NC! It features a living room and an open-concept kitchen with white cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator, bar seating, and a breakfast area. There is a half bath on the main level, three bedrooms, and a full bath on the upper floor. It is in a great location close to schools,
Welcome home to this inviting 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse located in the highly sought-after Bear Park neighborhood. This modern residence features a bright, functional layout enhanced by stainless steel appliances, dark wood cabinetry, and thoughtful finishes throughout.Enjoy everyday convenience with a 1-car garage, washer and dryer included, and a comfortable back patio perfect
?? Prime Location in HickoryJust Minutes from Downtown Hickory and Union SquareConvenient to Dining, Shopping & Local EntertainmentZoned for Clyde Campbell Elementary School, Harry M Arndt Middle, Saint Stephens HighEasy Access to Nearby Cities for Commuters
Step into comfort and convenience in this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse, featuring hardwood floors throughout for a clean, modern feel. The spacious layout includes a large kitchen with plenty of room for cooking, gathering, and everyday living.You’ll enjoy washer and dryer hookups for easy laundry days, plus lawncare included—giving you more time to relax and less to worry about.
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
