Cabarrus County
Formed in 1792 from Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County is one of the Charlotte region’s fastest growing counties with a suburban landscape. Home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Mills Mall and Great Wolf Lodge, Cabarrus County is an increasingly popular destination for tourists from all over North Carolina. Its county seat is Concord, located just northeast of Charlotte, but other notable towns include Kannapolis, Harrisburg and Mount Pleasant.
Despite being largely suburban, Cabarrus County has a rather diversified employment base. Its key sectors include manufacturing, logistics and distribution, healthcare and retail and tourism. The county has also found economic success through the transformation of downtown Kannapolis into the North Carolina Research Campus.
Bustling shopping centers like Concord Mills Mall definitely draw prospective residents in, but Cabarrus County has a lot to offer for those looking to settle just outside of Charlotte. The county is an attractive destination due to more affordable housing compared to Mecklenburg County, strong employment opportunities within itself, and close access to retail and entertainment.
Its many successes do not leave Cabarrus County without its challenges. Traffic is one of the county’s most glaring struggles as it has to accommodate both commuter traffic and commercial truck traffic. Residents and visitors alike can also expect to be stuck in event-related traffic jams near the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord Mills Mall and Great Wolf Lodge on key corridors like Interstate 85.
As an increasingly popular destination, Cabarrus County faces challenges with managing population growth. Demand is rising for new roads, schools, water and sewer infrastructure, and public safety services, the county may struggle to keep up.
Furthermore, housing affordability is quickly becoming a concern for Cabarrus County. As more people move in, residents may notice rising home prices, increasing rents, and limited affordable housing for lower and middle income families.
How can Cabarrus County address these challenges? Investing in improving transportation is a great way to streamline traffic around major corridors. Strengthening school capacity planning and focusing growth around existing centers like Kannapolis and Concord can help manage population growth. Lastly, implementing a wider range of housing choices where possible can help make homes in Cabarrus County more available to residents across all income levels.
Photos by Nancy Pierce
Cabarrus County links
Cabarrus County Articles & Publications
