Huntersville, Lake Norman’s Progressive Family Town

Huntersville on the edges of Lake Norman, Your gonna love it!

Huntersville, just north of Charlotte and at the southern tip of Lake Norman, is a nice place to raise a family. That’s what brings most newcomers to the subdivisions sprouting up on former farms all over town. The town is known for its progressive land use policies and embrace of “new urbanist” design principles, on display in walkable developments like Vermillion and Birkdale Village. The area’s growth also makes Huntersville home to two seriously crowded high schools — North Mecklenburg and Hopewell.

HISTORY: Today, few vestiges of the mill and farming past remain, but a ride down gravel McAuley Road (off N.C. 73) east of town or the Beatties Ford Road corridor to the west will give you an idea of days gone by.

LANDMARKS: Historic Latta Plantation on Sample Road (www.lattaplantation.org) is a living history cotton plantation. Ramah Presbyterian Church on Ramah Church Road was established in 1783.

WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW: The back way to Northlake Mall. Instead of taking Interstate 77 and Exit 18, hop on Mount Holly-Huntersville Road (either at N.C. 115, U.S. 21 or the backside of the business park) and take it until the intersection with Alexanderana Road. If you go straight, the road turns into Northlake Centre Parkway, which hops over Interstate 485 and hits Northlake Mall before you get to all the traffic.

ON THE JOB: The Park Huntersville at Exit 23 houses 3,399 workers for various companies, and Newell Rubbermaid recently announced a major expansion of its offices at Exit 25.

SEE THE SIGHTS: The Carolina Raptor Center rehabilitates injured and orphaned birds of prey (www.carolinaraptorcenter.org). Don’t miss Birkdale Village, the shopping lifestyle center at Exit 25. The little ones love splashing in the fountain, and adults enjoy live music on summer weekend nights.

DON’T MISS: The Main and Maxwell Farmers Market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from May 5 to Oct. 27 (between Main and Maxwell streets downtown). The Carolina Renaissance Festival off Poplar Tent Road on fall weekends. The Loch Norman Highland Games each April at Rural Hill Farm off Beatties Ford Road (www.ruralhillfarm.org).

BIRKDALE VILLAGE: It has the quaint ambiance of a small Nantucket village with all the high-end necessities. The family-friendly, center-court area appeals to every age group.  See the Video.

HUNTERSVILLE BUSINESS PARK: Serious cyclists ride past in a blur as the casual lunch walkers take in the six-acre lake. The park is a fantastic blend of big business and preserved nature. www.huntersvillebusiness park.com

PSSGHETTI’S: This little Italian joint with a piano bar and mile-high lasagna stuffed with authentic Italian sausage is in the shadow of Mickey & Mooch, but holds its own. www.pssghettis.com; 704-895-9448       

AMAZING MAIZE MAZE AT THE RURAL HILL FARM: Kids from ages 2 to 92 try to find their way out of the creatively confusing aisles of corn. The maze will run Aug. 25-Nov. 4. www.ruralhillfarm.org

Quick Facts:

FOUNDED: 1873

POPULATION: about 40,000

AVERAGE HOME VALUE: $239,416

AVERAGE INCOME: $94,080

LOCAL TAX RATE: $.29 per $100 valuation

MAYOR: Kim Phillips

MECKLENBURG COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION: www.charmeck.org

TOWN CONTACT INFORMATION: 704-875-6541; www.huntersville.org

SCHOOL DISTRICT(S): Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 980-343-3000 ; www.cms.k12.nc.us

Source of information: The Charlotte Observer.