Is Locust North Carolina a good place to live? Living in Locust NC is terrific for many reasons, including its proximity to The Queen City (Charlotte), its low Cost of Living Index (COLI), its rural feel, and its tight-knit community. Visitors and residents alike enjoy its well-maintained parks and various walkable streets. If moving to Locust is in your future, our guide covers everything you need to know—from its crime rate to the weather and even its best eateries.
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What Is the History of Locust NC?
In its early years (the 1800s), this city was known as “The Crossroads,” as its area served as the crossroads for people going to Cabarrus, Anson, and Mecklenburg counties. The city applied for its first post office in 1869 and was renamed Locust in 1894 after a local blossoming Locust tree.
Locust is known for its rich heritage dating back to 1869, including unique attractions such as the Locust Historical Society & Museum and the Red Bridge Golf, and its impressive growth. Its population increased by 28% between 2020 and 2023.
Where Is Locust NC?
What county is Locust, NC in? Locust, NC, is located in southwest Stanly County and southeast Cabarrus within the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. The city’s center is also the intersection of North Carolina Highway 24/27 with North Carolina Highway 200; Charlotte is to the west, and Albemarle is to the east. Its prime location and rural feel make it one of the best cities near Charlotte, NC.
Its location is ideal for day trips to nearby attractions. While deciding what to do in Charlotte, NC, is the first step, planning your arrival time is also key. Driving from Locust, NC, to Charlotte, NC, is 25.7 miles or about 46 minutes. Additionally, it’s 15 miles from Locust to Concord, North Carolina.
Major Cities Near Locust
If you’re sold on the immediate area but aren’t sure if living in Locust NC is for you, here are your other options: Charlotte, Stanfield, Red Cross, Midland, Fairview, and Rocky River are all within 30 miles of Locust, North Carolina.
Locust Population & Demographics
The Locust NC population is 4,537, which has increased by 28.9% since 2010—the city of Locust, NC, is growing rapidly.
With 24% of the residents being under the age of 19, this Charlotte suburb is a family favorite. Married couples occupy 55% of the 1,900 households, and there is an average of 2.5 occupants per household.
Additional Locust, NC, demographics:
- Sex ratio: 53 females to 47 males
- Median age: 40.4
- Poverty rate: 11.1% (US 11.1%)
- Educational attainment: 87.7% have high school diplomas, and 19.1% have bachelor’s degrees
- Foreign-born population: 0.5%
- Veteran status: 4.5%
Diversity is low here. 94.9% of people living in Locust NC are White (94.4% non-Hispanic or Latino); however, 3.7% are two or more races, and 3% are Hispanic or Latino. The smaller ethnic group is Black or African American, with only 1.4%.
Locust Crime Rate
Is Locust safe? According to CrimeGrade, Locust is safer than 90% of US cities.
- Locust crime rate per 100k people: 2,105
- Locust violent crime rate per 100k people: 4,287
- Locust property crime per 100k people: 1,342
When you compare these figures to the Charlotte NC crime rate (4,121 per 100k people), you see that living in Locust NC is very safe.
For emergency assistance, the Locust Police Department has dedicated officers to serve you!
Cost of Living in Locust
Is living in Locust NC affordable? The Cost of Living Index (COLI) in Locust is 81.8, making it 18.9% more affordable than the average US city and 16.9% more affordable than Charlotte’s cost of living.
Homes for Sale in Locust NC
The Locust real estate market is affordable. Houses for sale in Locust NC sell for a median price of $410,788, which is $1,512 below the US median sale price. Buying a house in Charlotte NC is $7,678 more expensive than in Locust ($418,497 median home price).
With an average price per square foot of $183, housing is affordable here, but what about renting? According to Zillow, the median rent in Locust, North Carolina, is $1,944, but a studio unit could cost as little as $1,309.
Weather Locust NC & Climate Type
Before relocating here, let’s take a look at the Locust NC weather.
Similar to the weather in Charlotte, Locust boasts four beautiful seasons and a humid subtropical (Cfa) Koppen climate classification. When living in Locust NC you will experience hot and muggy summers but crisp and cool autumns. The winters are mild, with a daily average low of 33 degrees Fahrenheit in January. The summers get quite warm, with a daily average high of 82 degrees or above. July is the warmest month, whereas January is the coldest.
Snow typically falls only in December and January, whereas rain falls year-round. The average annual snowfall is 3 inches, and the average annual rainfall is 46 inches.
The best time to visit Locust is from early May to mid-June before the rainy season starts and when the temperatures are ideal.
Things to Do in Locust NC
Locust City has much to offer—from small-town charm to big-city proximity, there are lots of things to do in Locust and its nearby communities. Most residents shop at Locust Farmers Market or Food Lion for daily essentials but look to Charlotte for their retail therapy needs. Explore what living in Locust NC offers.
Locust City Park
Locust City Park is an expansive recreational facility boasting a horseshoe pit, tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, walking trails, a dog park, a playground, and more. This is one of the best things to do in Locust.
Locust, NC 28097, (704) 888-5260
Boss Paintball Fields
Boss Paintball Field is a paintball complex and is one of the top attractions in Locust. You can host parties here or simply go with a group of friends. If you’re living in Locust NC this is a must-try activity!
7498 Reed Mine Trail, Locust, NC 28097, (704) 609-6607
Reed Gold Mine
In neighboring Midland, Reed Gold Mine is a historical gold mine site where you can search for gold or visit historical landmarks. The restored tunnels make for a fun-filled adventure day ideal for kids and families.
9621 Reed Mine Rd, Midland, NC 28107, (704) 721-4653
Additional Attractions
- Rob Wallace Park – 6.9 miles away
- Charlotte Museum of History – Top museums in Charlotte NC
- Charlotte IMAX Dome Theatre – 25.6 miles away
Although there aren’t many parks in Locust, the town of Locust, NC Parks and Recreation does a terrific job maintaining them. After moving to Locust, you can attend community events to meet new people.
Restaurants in Locust NC
Living in Locust NC means access to tasty dining options. Explore the wide range of Locust NC restaurants.
Tailgators Sports Grill
Tailgators is a lovely bar and Locust restaurant located on Main Street. It’s beloved for its vast menu, affordable prices, and karaoke nights. People in the reviews are raving about the wings, poppers, and gator nuggets.
1788 W Main St, Locust, NC 28097, (704)-781-2055
Sogo Express II
Sogo in Locust, NC, is a tasty Japanese restaurant with affordable prices and well-reviewed hibachi dishes. Their clear soup and house salad are among their most beloved menu items.
150 Ray Kennedy Dr, Locust, NC 28097, (704) 888-0354
The Brew Room Locust
The Brew Room is a local pub serving up delicious menu items and fresh brews seven days a week! It’s considered one of the best restaurants in Locust, NC, because of its great atmosphere and vast menu. Reviewers mention the fish, chips, tacos, and gourmet hot dogs in a positive light.
175 Ray Kennedy Dr, Locust, NC 28097, (980) 354-8075
Jobs in Locust NC
Most businesses in the city limits are locally owned and operated, contributing to the tight-knit feel living in Locust NC provides.
Locust’s economy is small, only employing 2,009 of the 4,500 residents. However, many people living in Locust NC utilize the city’s proximity to Charlotte’s large economy to their advantage. The average commute time here is 30.4 minutes, meaning even if you don’t find your dream job in the city limits, you won’t have a bad drive to work!
The leading industries in Locust are health care, construction, and retail trade. People living in Locust NC who earn the highest salaries work in construction and finance & insurance. Jobs in Locust, NC, are plentiful, but you may have great luck looking into the largest employers in the Charlotte metro area: Carolinas HealthCare System, Wells Fargo Company, Bank of America, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. If you plan to work in the public sector, consider City of Locust NC jobs.
Locust Schools
Living in Locust NC your child will have ample educational opportunities. Locust is part of Stanley County Schools, a large district with 23 schools and 8,700 students.
Not only do students receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, but the district also goes the extra mile by providing one-on-one laptop and technical classes, career and technical education summer camps, and digital literacy programs. You can learn more about what this district has to offer by reading its About Page.
Locust Elementary School is located in the city limits, but you may need to travel to neighboring cities for your middle and high school students. The nearest colleges to Locust are the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Cabarrus College.
One of the major amenities of residing here is that you gain access to the Locust NC Library, which provides additional education resources for people of all ages. There are thousands of books and E-books available for checkout. Children’s services include story times, craft days, and various clubs. As an adult, you can participate in bingo night, yoga, resin workshops, and more.
Locust Statistics & Information
- Locust, NC County: Stanly and Cabarrus counties
- Locust, NC area: 8.19 square miles
- Locust, NC zip code: 28097
- Locust, NC area code: 704
- Locust, NC elevation: 627 feet
- Locust, NC time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC-4 and -5)
Closest airport to Locust: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is 41.2 miles from Locust
Locust Map
Living in Locust NC provides many amenities; explore more to do with this map of Locust, NC, map.
Moving to Locust With Make A Move
As you can see, living in Locust NC, is great! When you’re ready to move to this unique city, call our Locust movers at (704) 378-8588 for a free estimate.
