Moving to or within the Charlotte area? One of the best places to live near Charlotte, NC is the charming college town of Davidson, NC. This affluent and pedestrian-friendly town offers a great quality of life, excellent schools, and easy lakefront living on Lake Norman.
Davidson, NC is famous for Davidson College, its fun and walkable downtown with Restaurant Row and shops, and recreation on Lake Norman. These are only a few of the perks you’ll enjoy after moving to Davidson, one of the most exciting suburbs of Charlotte, NC.
The town was formed in 1837 when Davidson College was founded. The college and town were named for local Revolutionary War hero Brigadier General William Lee Davidson whose son donated land from his estate. Davidson’s motto is “College Town. Lake Town. Your Town,” a perfect way to sum up this small but vibrant community.
Is Davidson, NC a good place to live? Find out for yourself what you’ll love about living in Davidson!
Davidson, NC Population & Demographics
The Town of Davidson, NC has a population of 15,106 with a population density of 1,903 people/square mile. Located in northern Mecklenburg County and Iredell County, Davidson is one of several towns outside of Charlotte NC and part of the metro area with a metro population of 2.6 million.
The racial and ethnic composition of Davidson is 82% white, 5% Hispanic, 5% Black or African American, and 3% Asian.
Davidson, North Carolina is an affluent community with a median household income of $83,730 or $124,045 for families. The town is also highly educated with almost three-quarters of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher – well over twice the share of residents with advanced education in the state and metro area.
Additional demographics:
- Median age: 37 years
- Sex ratio: 53% female, 47% male
- Homeownership rate: 79%
- Educational attainment: 73% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 5.3%
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Is Davidson, NC safe? That’s an important question as you consider relocating. Davidson is a very safe place to live with 90% less violent crime than the national average and only 38 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The Davidson, NC crime rate is 65% below the national average. You will be served by the Davidson Police Department with patrol shifts made up of one sergeant, one corporal, and three patrol officers.
Davidson has had many famous residents, particularly Davidson College alumni and even Steph Curry of the NBA.
Cost of Living in Davidson, NC
Is living in Davidson expensive? The Davidson, NC cost of living index is 118. That makes it 18% more expensive than the national average and well above the North Carolina COLI of 91. Utilities, groceries, and healthcare are all close to the national average, but the cost of Davidson, NC real estate pushes the cost of living higher.
The average price of homes for sale in Davidson NC is $475,000, up almost 7% year-over-year. The average rent is $1,625 according to RentCafe, higher than Charlotte ($1,522), Raleigh ($1,510), and Winston-Salem ($1,085). Vacation rentals and short-term Davidson NC rentals are in demand and push up rents for year-round residents.
Davidson NC Neighborhoods – Best Places to Live in Town
It may be small, but there are many great neighborhoods to explore in this beautiful Lake Norman town. Here are some of the best neighborhoods and subdivisions in Davidson, NC to fit your lifestyle.
Anniston – Luxury Homes Minutes from Downtown Davidson
Anniston, Davidson NC is one of the most popular neighborhoods in town. Just minutes from Downtown Davidson NC, homes in Anniston are usually priced between the high $700s to more than $1.5 million. The neighborhood offers large lots and homes with 4,000+ square feet, many with 3-car garages and basements.
Summers Walk – Great Davidson Neighborhood for Families with Swimming Pools & Greenery
Summers Walk is one of best neighborhoods in Davidson, NC for families thanks to its beautiful greenery and great amenities. Located on the outskirts of town, residents enjoy an active HOA that maintains a ball park, playgrounds, park areas, and several swimming pools. The community is surrounded by nature preserves with easy access to walking trails.
Summers Walk is one of the more affordable communities in the town. Homes in this desirable neighborhood usually range from the high $300s to $500s.
Runneymede – Beautiful Equestrian Community in Davidson
Runneymede, Davidson NC is the best equestrian neighborhood in town with several upscale equestrian facilities for residents and a tranquil, rural feel. While many homes are priced at more than $1 million, you can find some affordable homes in Runnymede in the $400s and $500s. Expect Runneymede HOA dues to run between $400 and $500.
Davidson Landing – Waterfront Condos on Lake Norman
Love the idea of waterfront living? Davidson Landing is one of the best communities of condos for sale in Davidson, NC. This townhome and condo community has more than 500 units in 12 named complexes, each with their own pool area. Davidson Landing offers excellent amenities including a waterfront boardwalk, boat slips, volleyball courts, and walking trails.
If you need to drive from Davidson to Charlotte, it is 22 miles and a 35 minute drive.
Davidson Climate
What’s the weather in Davidson like? Before moving to Davidson, NC, be prepared for plenty of rain and muggy summers! The town has cold, wet winters and hot, muggy summers with about 3” of annual snowfall and 43” of annual rainfall.
The average July high is 89 degrees. You can expect about 40 days per year with high temperatures over 90 degrees. There are around 77 days per year with nighttime lows below freezing with an average winter low temperature of 28 degrees in January.
The best time to visit Davidson, NC is May or September to October for the most pleasant weather. July has the most extreme heat and humidity.
Things to Do in Davidson NC
Located right on the lake, Davidson, NC has something for everyone. Living in Davidson, North Carolina means enjoying acres of parks and greenways with world-class restaurants, shopping, and outdoor recreation. Be sure to check the Town of Davidson community calendar to see local events coming up!
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Outside the Town of Davidson, you’ll find plenty of other things to do in Mecklenburg County including the Carolina Renaissance Festival just miles away and the Lake Norman Family Branch YMCA. There’s convenient shopping at Renaissance Square, Harris Teeter, and independent shops like the Village Store, Main Street Books, and Moxie Mercantile.
Here’s a look at the top family-friendly Davidson, NC things to do.
Lake Davidson Nature Preserve
Lake Davidson is adjacent to Lake Norman. This gorgeous park offers boat launches and watercraft rentals including kayaks.
Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, 819-731 Jetton St, Davidson, NC 28036 (704) 940-9644
River Run Country Club
One of the premier country clubs in the Charlotte area, River Run offers an elegant clubhouse, master course design, and three dining venues.
River Run Country Club, 19125 River Falls Dr, Davidson, NC 28036 (704) 892-4633
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Additional attractions in Davidson:
- Belk Visual Arts Center
- Roosevelt Wilson Park
- The Preserve Dog Park
- Armour Street Theatre
- R.C. Bradford Park
Best Restaurants in Davidson
Ready to explore great restaurants near Davidson NC? After moving to Davidson, you’ll spend a lot of time on Restaurant Row in downtown and Lake Norman which has a fun food scene with farm-to-table restaurants, BBQ joints, fine dining, and more.
- North Harbor Club. This regatta-themed eatery on Lake Norman offers fine dining on the waterfront with boat slips for diners. North Harbor Club, 100 N Harbor Pl, Davidson, NC 28036 (704) 896-5550
- Brickhouse Tavern. Part of Restaurant Row in Downtown Davidson, NC, Brickhouse Tavern is a popular bar and grill housed in a refurbished cotton mill. Brickhouse Tavern, 209 Delburg St, Davidson, NC 28036 (704) 987-2022
- Kindred. An upscale restaurant in the heart of downtown next to Davidson College, Kindred has an innovative menu with a great ambience. Kindred, 131 N Main St, Davidson, NC 28036 (980) 231-5000
Davidson Schools & Higher Education
Moving to Davidson, NC with kids? The town is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools including Davidson Elementary and William A. Hough High School in neighboring Cornelius. The town’s high school is one of the best in the district and the Charlotte metro area! There are several private schools in the town including Davidson Day School on the lake and Phoenix Montessori Academy. Community School of Davidson is the town’s only charter school.
Students are served by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County with a Davidson branch on the Green in downtown.
Davidson is home to Davidson College, a prestigious liberal arts college that’s ranked the top school in the South and one of America’s top liberal arts schools.
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Jobs in Davidson NC | Top Employers & Average Salary
How much do you need to earn to live in Davidson? The average salary in Davidson is $71,000 or $15.61 per hour according to Payscale.
Ready to explore job opportunities available while living in Davidson? The town is known for its manufacturing and industrial jobs as well as careers in education.
The two largest Davidson, NC companies are Ingersoll Rand (US corporate headquarters and home of the Trane subsidiary) and MSC Industrial Direct (corporate headquarters and customer service center). Ingersoll Rand alone employs over 1,600 people and was ranked as one of the best employers in North Carolina and #41 in the U.S.
Davidson College is one of the major employers in Davidson, NC and employs over 500 residents of the town. The college’s Hurt HUB helps connect college students with business professionals in the area for networking and employment. You can see Davidson College jobs here.
Many residents work in nearby Uptown Charlotte and surrounding areas of Mecklenburg County. How far is Davidson NC from Charlotte NC? Your commute from Davidson NC to Charlotte NC is just 22 miles. Many residents work in healthcare with major nearby employers like Northcross Medical Center (Huntersville) and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center (Mooresville).
You can explore additional opportunities for jobs in Davidson, NC on Indeed and Town of Davidson jobs. The median household income is $83,730 with per capita income of $55,122.
Davidson Statistics & Information
- Davidson, NC county: Mecklenburg and Iredell
- Area: 6.54 square miles
- Zip codes: 28035 and 28036
- Area codes: 704 and 980
- Time zone: UTC-5 (EST)
- Elevation: 840 feet
Davidson, NC Map
Tips for Living in Davidson, NC
- Be ready for wet, cold winters and hot, muggy summers with temperatures often over 90 degrees
- Davidson has top-rated public schools plus great private schools and Davidson College
- High housing costs make it challenging to buy a home in the town
- Enjoy regular community events, Lake Norman recreation, horseback riding, hiking trails, and more
Does living in the Town of Davidson, NC sound perfect to you? If you’re sold on the idea of living in one of the best Lake Norman towns, Make a Move is here to help. Give us a call to discuss your relocation and get a free, affordable moving quote.
