Iredell County
Formed from part of Rowan County back in 1788, Iredell County is located some 45 miles north of the city of Charlotte. It includes part of Lake Norman, making it a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. The two most notable cities in the county are Mooresville — known for being home to many NASCAR teams and motorsports companies — and the county seat of Statesville.
The county offers many attractions for tourists from all over the state. Lake Norman State Park provides numerous opportunities for waterfront recreation, hiking, camping and biking. Historic downtown Statesville boasts hundreds of independent shops and live music for visitors to enjoy. Uniquely, Iredell County is also home to Love Valley, a Western-themed town where cars are not allowed within the city limits. Visitors can ride horses, visit saloons, general stores, rodeos and enjoy a slice of history brought to life.
Iredell County has experienced rapid growth in the past few years with the population increasing by over 13% since the 2020 Census. Growth seems to be especially prevalent in southern Iredell County, the area around Lake Norman and closest to Charlotte proper. The county has many employment opportunities for residents thanks to NASCAR and Lowes Home Improvement both being based in the Mooresville area.
With speedy growth comes challenges around accommodating a quickly increasing population. Iredell County is no exception. The county struggles with congested transportation corridors like Interstate 77 and Interstate 40, lack of adequate infrastructure, housing affordability, and varying access to healthcare.
Iredell County also poses an important question to itself: how do we preserve local character while supporting and encouraging growth? Parts of the county closer to Charlotte welcome expansion by calling for more public transportation options, sometimes facing pushback from rural and suburban areas that want to maintain the historic charm that continues to draw prospective residents to Iredell County. With measured policy decisions, the county can both foster growth and support its existing residents.
Photos by Nancy Pierce
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