Cornelius

A beautiful lakeside community boasting premier golf and tennis amenities

Welcome to Cornelius

An incorporated town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Cornelius is a prime destination for tennis and golf enthusiasts. Its 54 miles of pristine lake shoreline, beautifully manicured neighborhoods, casual lifestyle, and waterfront parks home to a plethora of recreational activities make it a highly desirable place to live in southwestern North Carolina. Cornelius is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
 
Cornelius has some of the most affluent real estate in the area. Its vast selection of properties includes mansions, estates, townhomes, condominiums, and more. Due in part to its easy access to Lake Norman, it is a popular location for vacation homes and second properties. Residents enjoy a vibrant shopping scene, an impressive range of delightful restaurants, multiple championship golf courses, and fun lake activities, such as jet skiing, boating, and paddle boarding.
 

What to Love

  • Welcoming, friendly community
  • Lakeside suburbs, properties, and parks
  • Lots to do and experience
 

Local Lifestyle

Cornelius is tight-knit, and residents love living in an area where neighbors know each other by name. The area is home to numerous neighborhoods, and whether it’s a quaint alcove or a sprawling suburban setting, locals strongly connect with community members. The atmosphere is stylish and cultured, with lots of natural beauty in nearby parks. 
 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

The Cain Center For The Arts uses the arts to enrich and revitalize the community, in addition to providing residents with art education. The facility covers 1.86 acres and is named after Bill and Ericka Cain, local philanthropists who helped fund the center. After enjoying the center’s broad assortment of displays, stop by Hello, Sailor for delicious Southern fare and exceptional service. While the locale’s menu changes with the seasons, its light-filled atmosphere remains relaxing and stylish all year round. Grab a cocktail from the restaurant’s outdoor or indoor bar before dinner.
 
Spreading over 104 tree-covered acres, Jetton Park is a lakefront recreational space boasting tennis courts, jogging trails, a community center, and a small beach. From its paved trail to the relaxing, shady atmosphere, Jetton Park is an ideal place to unwind and enjoy nature in the heart of Cornelius.
 
Residents with canine companions meet up for drinks at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew LKN, Charlotte’s original dog bar, for a fun evening in Cornelius. Upon arriving, guests can choose from a variety of services, including dog baths, a doggie daycare, boarding, and even a dog-friendly bar.
 

Things to Do

Located along an 11-mile stretch on Lake Norman, The Peninsula Club’s stunning setting creates a resort-style yet simple feel for its guests. The club prides itself on its array of amenities and events for all ages. Members will enjoy tennis and golf courts, an aerobics studio, two restaurants, and beautiful lakefront patios here.
 
Cornelius residents who enjoy spending time in nature love visiting Bailey Road Park. Its 66 acres are home to multiple athletic facilities, an exceptional picnic area, a playground, a disc golf course, several trails, and a track.
 
Cornelius’ annual Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race celebrates and promotes Asian ethnicity, history, culture, and roots. With live music, dance performances, and vendors, there is a lot of fun to have, but perhaps the most popular and exciting event is the Dragon Boat Race. The race is open to any contender and takes place on the lake, where participants row to the beat of drums and the crowd’s excitement.
 
Symphony in the Park is another local event taking place each summer. Thousands of people head to Baily Road Park Bandshell, where the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra delights onlookers with performances in pop, patriotic, and classical music. An exciting fireworks show ends the event.
 
 
 

Overview for Cornelius, NC

29,698 people live in Cornelius, where the median age is 44.6 and the average individual income is $63,071. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

29,698

Total Population

44.6 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$63,071

Average individual Income

Around Cornelius, NC

There's plenty to do around Cornelius, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

27
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
26
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Concetto's Italian Ice, CoCo Couture, and Pedego Electric Bikes Lake Norman.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 0.57 miles 14 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 0.56 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 2.41 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 4.64 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 4.87 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.39 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Cornelius, NC

Cornelius has 12,479 households, with an average household size of 2.38. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Cornelius do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 29,698 people call Cornelius home. The population density is 2,124.41 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

29,698

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

44.6

Median Age

47.05 / 52.95%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
12,479

Total Households

2.38

Average Household Size

$63,071

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Cornelius, NC

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Cornelius. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
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