The Four Corners of Lake Norman
There’s a lot to know about the Lake Norman region! So, to make it easier to navigate and compare, we’ve divided the lake into "Four Corners." We believe this section is a good starting point for anyone planning to visit, or move, to Lake Norman. What's really cool about this area is the four distinctly different lifestyles you'll find depending on which corner you're in!
Which Corner Are You? Find Out.
We call them the “southeast corner,” “northeast corner,” “northwest corner,” and “southwest corner.” Each of these corners is in a different county that offers their own towns, services, educational opportunities, amenities, and tax rates.
Each corner also offers very different views, vibes, water temperatures, and even currents. (Yes, there is a current to Lake Norman because it’s still part of the Catawba River Chain.) And yes, the water temperature on the south side is typically warmer than the north, mostly because of the McGuire Nuclear Plant next to Cowan’s Ford Dam located at the southern tip of Lake Norman.
Just hover over the corner and BOOM! You go there!
Those that live on the west side claim the water is “better” than what you find on the east side. However, having lived on the northwest side for years, we must admit that the water stays slightly clearer on the east/southeast corners, but not by much. Which makes sense if you look at a map and see where the river feeds into Lake Norman. Also, JUST an observation without jumping into politics, the further north and northwest you go on Lake Norman, the more conservative the populations appear to be.
I LOVE MAYHEM vs. I Like Just Chillin'
Your preference for an urban/suburban lifestyle versus a more rural one should be one of the biggest considerations in determining which corner may be best suited for you. The southeast corner of Lake Norman is in Mecklenburg County and is home to the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville which are definitely the most densely populated of all four corners and offer a large diversity of housing options and amenities. The northeast corner of Lake Norman is in Iredell County and is home to Mooresville, Statesville, and Troutman, with Mooresville also being quite a fun and populous area. The northwest corner is primarily located in Catawba County and is home to Sherrills Ford and Terrell, both of these areas are booming with construction. The southwest corner of the lake is in Lincoln County and is home to Denver, the community of Westport, and a small sliver of Stanley. The northwest and southwest corners are still considered to be more rural, but the hype about Lake Norman has brought quite a bit of new development to this western side, so don't expect it to be “the quiet side” forever!
Southeast
Cornelius
Mecklenburg
32,000
13.1
Southeast
Davidson
Mecklenburg
15,000
6.6
Southeast
Huntersville
Mecklenburg
62,000
31.2
Northeast
Mooresville
Iredell
52,000
24.7
Northeast
Troutman
Iredell
3,900
5.7
Northwest
Sherrills Ford
Catawba
6,000
7.8
Northwest
Terrell
Catawba
1,300
5.9
Southwest
Denver/Westport
Lincoln
4,000
6.2
LKN
CORNER
TOWN/
COMMUNITY
PRIMARY
COUNTY
ESTIMATED
POPULATION
SQUARE
MILES
Still not sure which corner you belong in? Go ahead and take a tour of all four.
Kick it off with the Southeast!
NORTHEAST
NORTHWEST
SOUTHWEST
