If you’re looking for welcoming cities near Charlotte, then living in Lowell NC might just be what you’re looking for. Named after Lowell, Massachusetts, Lowell NC is a great place to live for residents looking to enjoy life at a relaxed pace. After moving to Lowell, you can enjoy small-town living while still having easy access to one of North Carolina’s most bustling urban centers.
Many residents living in Lowell NC love the city for its friendly atmosphere, excellent public schools, and safe environment, making it a great place to raise a family. Whether you are drawn to the quiet pace of life, the opportunity to visit nearby attractions, or the strong sense of community, Lowell offers a unique appeal. Here’s everything you need to know about living in Lowell NC.
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Is Lowell a Good Place to Live?
Lowell is a good place to live. Residents living in Lowell NC will enjoy top-rated public schools, lovely weather, and big-city amenities with a small-town vibe. As one of the best cities near Charlotte, Lowell is a great place to raise a family and enjoy a slow-paced life.
Where Is Lowell?
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What county is Lowell in? Lowell is a small city in Gaston County, North Carolina. Lowell is a great place to live life close to big cities. Lowell is just 17.5 miles from Charlotte and 6.2 miles from Gastonia.
When living in Lowell NC, you’ll want to have your own personal vehicle to get around. Important roads for residents living in Lowell NC include Interstate 85, US Route 29, US Route 74, and North Carolina Highway 7. Additionally, freight rail service is provided by the Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak has a station in Gastonia.
If living in Lowell NC sounds great to you, then get in touch with our expert Lowell movers. Our Lowell moving company will help you get settled into your new home in no time.
Lowell Population & Demographics
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How many people are living in Lowell NC? Lowell is a great place to live for residents who want a small-town atmosphere, as there are only 3,692 people living in Lowell NC. Although it’s a small city, there are several notable residents from Lowell, including MLB players Wilbur Howard and Whitney Lockman.
There are 1,487 households in Lowell. 45% of households are occupied by married couples, 23% by female householders, 21% by non-family members, and 12% by male householders.
Additional Lowell Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 56% male, 44% female
- Median age: 38.7
- Racial & ethnic composition: 78% White (64% non-Hispanic), 16% Black or African American, 3% two or more races, 2% Asian
- Educational attainment: 85.6% high school degree (or higher), 15.2% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Median household income: $55,481 (compared to the North Carolina average of $66,186)
- Foreign-born population: 8.3%
Before moving to Lowell, you’ll want to take a look at the crime rate in the area. Here’s an overview of crime in Lowell:
- Overall crime rate: 1,471 crimes per 100,000 people (40.4% lower than state average and 36.7% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 107 crimes per 100,000 people (73.6% lower than state average and 71.1% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,364 crimes per 100,000 people (33.9% lower than state average and 30.2% lower than national average)
As you can see, living in Lowell NC is very safe. Crime rates are well below both the national and state averages and are only continuing to drop. When living in Lowell NC, you’ll be served by the Lowell Police Department, which has nine officers on the force.
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Lowell Cost of Living
Is living in Lowell NC affordable for you and your family? The Cost of Living Index in Lowell NC is 89. This means that the cost of living for residents in the town is 11% more affordable than the national average of 100. It is also 8.9% more affordable than the cost of living in Charlotte.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Lowell NC would need to earn $91,365 per year to live comfortably in the city.
Typical Lowell Living Expenses
- Gallon of gas: $3.17
- Loaf of bread: $3.98
- Gallon of milk: $4.69
- Carton of eggs: $3.48
- Hamburger: $5.55
- Doctor’s visit: $147.62
- Average Lowell utilities per month: $190.07
Source: Payscale
Is Lowell real estate affordable? Luckily, the Lowell real estate market is very affordable! According to Redfin, the average home price in Lowell is $279,000, which is down 17.8% since last year. Buying a house in Lowell is far more affordable than buying a house in Charlotte, where the median home price is $415,000.
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If you’d rather rent when living in Lowell NC, then there are a few options to choose from. Most people own homes in Lowell, but you can find nearby rentals starting around $1,465 per month, according to RentCafe.
Neighborhoods in Lowell | Where to Live in Lowell
When living in Lowell NC, you’ll want to find the perfect place to settle down. Because the town is only a few square miles, there are not many defined neighborhoods. Young professionals tend to settle down in the eastern portion of the city, as it is closer to Charlotte, which is easily accessible by Interstate 85. Residents who want to be closer to nature gravitate toward the northern section of the city, which contains George Poston Park. The homes in this area are large and spacious, and the streets are calm and quiet.
Lowell NC Weather & Climate
When living in Lowell NC, you will enjoy a humid subtropical climate. This means that the Lowell climate is characterized by four distinct seasons with short and mild winters and hot and humid summers. Here are a few climate statistics for the town:
- Average summer Lowell temperature: 81ºF
- Average winter Lowell temperature: 34ºF
- Average annual snowfall in Lowell: 2 inches
- Average annual rainfall in Lowell: 43 inches
Things to Do in Lowell
Residents living in Lowell NC will find no shortage of exciting things to do. After moving to Lowell, you can do your grocery shopping at stores like Lowell Mini Mart and Dollar General. If you want to shop till you drop, then head over to places like Eastridge Mall or Franklin Square. These are just a few fun things to do in Lowell.
George Poston Park
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George Poston Park is one of the most popular attractions among those living in Lowell NC. Visit this park and enjoy sports fields, walking and running trails, a lake, picnic spots, playgrounds, and mountain biking areas.
1101 Lowell Spencer Mountain Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056, (704) 922-2160
The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium
The Schiele Museum is fun for the whole family! Stop by to check out exhibits featuring dinosaur bones, fossils, space rocks, and more.
1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, (704) 866-6900
Rankin Lake Park
This beautiful public park features a reservoir, picnic shelters, paved walking trails, and opportunities for fishing and boating.
1750 Rankin Lake Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052, (704) 866-6849
Additional Lowell Attractions
Still unsure of what to do in Lowell? The Lowell Parks & Recreation Department runs several parks throughout the city, and you can always visit the city event calendar for things to do in the area.
Lowell Restaurants
When living in Lowell NC, you can enjoy easy access to some of the best restaurants in the state. You can check out several top-rated restaurants in Lowell, as well as amazing options in Gastonia and Charlotte. These are a few of the best restaurants in Lowell.
Hillbilly’s Barbeque & Steaks
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Don’t skip out on Hillbilly’s Barbeque & Steaks after moving to Lowell. Here, you’ll find delicious chicken, pork ribs, and hand-cut steaks fired over a hickory wood pit.
305 S Main St, Lowell, NC 28098, (704) 824-8838
El Pancho Villa Mexican Bar & Grill
Residents living in Lowell NC rave about El Pancho Villa Mexican Bar & Grill. Stop by this casual restaurant to enjoy classics like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. And don’t forget to enjoy a refreshing margarita on the rocks!
720 McAdenville Rd, Lowell, NC 28098, (704) 879-9079
Miami Fusion Cafe
Miami Fusion Cafe brings Cuba straight to North Carolina! This small cafe features reasonably priced Cuban food. Some menu staples include ham croquettes, Cuban buttered toast, steak & eggs, and chicharrón.
125 N Main St, Lowell, NC 28098, (704) 879-4179
Lowell Jobs
If you’re moving to Lowell, you’ll likely need to find a job in the area. Luckily, there are plenty of options! Because Lowell is so close to both Gastonia and Charlotte, most residents living in Lowell NC commute to work.
Gastonia is the corporate headquarters for the textile company Parkdale Mills, which is the number one manufacturer of spun yarn in the world. Other manufacturers calling Gastonia home include Freightliner Trucks, Stabilus, and Radici Group.
If you don’t mind commuting a bit further to Charlotte, then you’ll come across even more options. Charlotte is the second-largest banking center in the United States, just behind New York City. The city is home to the headquarters of the Bank of America as well as Truist Financial. Other major companies, such as Microsoft and Centene Corporation, are also headquartered in Charlotte.
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According to Payscale, the average salary in the Charlotte/Lowell area is $77,000 per year.
Looking for jobs in Lowell? Check out the city job board or search for ‘Lowell jobs’ on Indeed.
Schools in Lowell
If you are looking to raise a family while living in NC, then you’ll want to learn about the public schools in the area. The primary Lowell school district is Gaston County Schools. When it comes to Lowell high schools, Ashbrook High School in Gastonia serves students in the area. There is also one elementary school and one middle school in Lowell.
There are also plenty of higher education options for residents living in Lowell NC. The closest colleges to Lowell include Gaston College and DeVry University.
When living in Lowell NC, you can find a quiet place to study or grab a good book at TECH@Lowell Branch Library.
Lowell NC Statistics & Information
Here’s some practical information you should know when living in Lowell NC.
- County: Gaston
- Lowell area: 3.68 square miles
- Lowell zip code: 28098
- Lowell area code: 704
- Lowell elevation: 712 feet
- Lowell time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Lowell: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), 13 miles away
Map of Lowell NC
You can refer to this map when living in Lowell NC.
Residents love living in Lowell NC! If moving to Lowell is in your future, then get in touch with the experts at Make a Move. Our dedicated Lowell movers will make your life easier before, during, and after moving day. Give us a call today at (704) 378-8588 to get started with a free quote!
