Davidson, NC

Davidson Population & Growth — What the Trend Means for Newcomers

Davidson is growing at a steady, sustainable clip. Per U.S. Census QuickFacts, the town increased from a 2020 base of 15,111 residents to an estimated 16,276 in 2024—about +7.7% over four years. That’s solid momentum for a small town, and broadly in line with the Greater Charlotte region’s continued in‑migration (drawn by jobs, climate, and cost of living).

How that growth shows up on the ground:

• Downtown vitality: more year‑round programming on the Town Green and a market that draws residents from across Lake Norman.
• New housing options: infill and master‑planned communities complement the historic core, while the town’s planning ethos keeps a village feel.
• Commuter math that works: I‑77 Express Lanes and regional job centers (Uptown Charlotte, University Research Park, Mooresville) keep door‑to‑desk times competitive.

Numbers & sources you can reference:

• U.S. Census QuickFacts — Davidson town population estimates (2024): https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/davidsontownnorthcarolina/LND110210
• Census chart view: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/geo/chart/davidsontownnorthcarolina/BZA115222

Schools Serving Davidson — Public (CMS), Charter & Private (Verify Your Address)

School options are a major draw here. Most of Davidson is zoned to Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), with assignments that typically include Davidson K‑8 and William A. Hough High (Cornelius). There are also respected charter and private options nearby. Zoning can vary by street and may change over time—always confirm with CMS before you buy.

Common public feeders (check your specific address):

• Davidson K‑8 (CMS) — well‑regarded K‑8 on South Street; GreatSchools shows a strong overall rating. Profile: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/davidson/1231-Davidson-Elementary/
• William A. Hough High (CMS, Cornelius) — large AP/athletics program; consistently strong performance. Profile: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/cornelius/7829-William-Amos-Hough-High/

Popular charter options (lottery‑based, not zoned):

• Community School of Davidson (K‑12) — project‑based learning; strong arts and athletics culture. https://www.csdspartans.org/
• Lake Norman Charter (Huntersville, 5–12) — long‑running charter with strong outcomes. https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/huntersville/190-Lake-Norman-Charter-School/
• Pine Lake Preparatory (Mooresville, K‑12) — college‑prep focus. https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/mooresville/3499-Pine-Lake-Preparatory/

Private/independent nearby:

• Davidson Day School (PK–12, private) — college‑prep; close to I‑77 exits.
• Cannon School (Concord, JK–12) — independent school a short drive east of Davidson.

Pro move: Map your daily rhythm—home → school → after‑school (greenway, Fisher Farm, or downtown) → dinner—to see how traffic patterns and campus locations fit your life. 

Always verify current assignments via CMS: https://www.cmsk12.org/

Davidson Dining Scene — Chef‑Driven Downtown, Cozy Cafés, Easy Weeknights

Davidson punches above its weight for food. On and around Main Street you’ll find nationally noted restaurants, an all‑day café from the Kindred team, and locally loved lunch spots—plus a coffee institution that started here and grew across the Southeast.

Standouts to know (check current hours):

• Kindred — Chef‑driven, James Beard‑recognized dining in a restored downtown building; reservations recommended. https://www.kindreddavidson.com/
• MILKBREAD — All‑day spot from the Kindred team (donuts, crispy chicken, great coffee). https://www.milkbread.com/
• The Pickled Peach — Farm‑to‑table sandwiches, soups, and seasonal sides; relaxed vibe. https://thepickledpeach.com/
• Summit Coffee (Basecamp) — Davidson’s original café (est. 1998) with outdoor seating on Main Street. https://www.summitcoffee.com/basecamp

What locals love:

• Park‑once evenings: Stroll the Davidson College campus or Town Green, then dinner on Main.
• Saturday market routine: Farmers Market → coffee at Summit → lunch at The Pickled Peach.
• Kid‑and‑guest friendly: MILKBREAD for an easy brunch; evening reservations at Kindred for out‑of‑towners.

Note: Davidson Wine Co. previously operated downtown but closed its Davidson location in 2024; check for updates if/when a new concept opens in that space. (Source: QCity Metro report, April 2024.) https://qcitymetro.com/2024/04/11/davidson-wine-co-closes/

Things to Do in Davidson — Parks, Greenways, College Culture & Signature Events

Outdoors anchors life here; the college and the town fill the calendar with concerts and festivals. Most activities are walkable from downtown or a short bike ride away.

Parks & Greenways:

• Fisher Farm Park — 200‑acre natural area with hiking and a respected mountain‑bike trail system; connects to the West Branch Greenway. https://www.townofdavidson.org/839/Fisher-Farm
• Roosevelt Wilson Park — Pond, boardwalks, new playground, picnic shelter, and paved paths minutes from Main Street. https://www.townofdavidson.org/816/Roosevelt-Wilson-Park

Signature experiences:

• Davidson Farmers Market — Producer‑only market every Saturday in prime season; a regional draw. https://www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org/
• Concerts on the Green — Free live music on the Town Green during warm months; bring chairs and a picnic. https://www.townofdavidson.org/1615/Town-Concert-Series
• Christmas in Davidson — Three nights of lights, music, and small‑town magic downtown. https://www.townofdavidson.org/602/Christmas-in-Davidson

Insider tips:

• Parking fills on market mornings—arrive early and make it a breakfast‑plus‑stroll outing.
• For biking, Fisher Farm’s “old‑school” singletrack mixes roots, rocks, and flow; check trail conditions after heavy rain.
• Sunset campus walk: The Davidson College arboretum‑like campus is a quiet end‑of‑day reset.

Jobs & Opportunities — Live in Davidson, Work Across Lake Norman or Uptown

Davidson’s job story is about proximity + lifestyle: live on a quiet street near the Green, and reach major employers in minutes—without giving up the small‑town feel.

Key employment nodes & examples:

• Trane Technologies (North America HQ) — Global climate‑tech leader headquartered in Davidson. https://www.tranetechnologies.com/en/index.html | Headquarters address: https://www.tranetechnologies.com/en/index/contact-us.html
• Davidson College — A top liberal‑arts campus that anchors the local economy and culture. https://www.davidson.edu/about/fast-facts
• Lowe’s Corporate HQ (Mooresville) — 10–15 minutes north via I‑77. https://talent.lowes.com/us/en/our-hq
• Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center — Regional hospital just south in Huntersville. https://www.novanthealth.org/locations/medical-centers/huntersville-medical-center

Commuting & connectivity:

• I‑77 Express Lanes run from Uptown Charlotte to Mooresville; you can ‘opt in’ for predictable travel times. https://www.i77express.com/using-the-lanes/choose-to-arrive-faster/
• CATS regional bus options and park‑and‑ride lots serve the Lake Norman corridor; check current schedules before you plan a commute. https://www.charlottenc.gov/cats

Remote/hybrid note: Davidson’s cafés, walkable errands, and quick access to client meetings around the metro make it an easy base for flexible work styles.

Taxes in Davidson — How Property, Sales & Local Rates Work

Property tax bills in Davidson combine your **county** rate (Mecklenburg or Iredell, depending on the parcel) + the **Town of Davidson** municipal rate. Rates are set annually with each jurisdiction’s budget; always verify the current year when budgeting for a home.

Recent reference points (FY2025–FY2026):

• Mecklenburg County adopted **$0.4927 per $100** assessed value for FY2026. Sources: County budget pages and tax office. https://budget.mecknc.gov/budget-overview | https://tax.mecknc.gov/tax-rates
• Town of Davidson municipal rate listed as **$0.266 per $100** for FY2025 (check the Town FAQ for updates each year). https://www.townofdavidson.org/FAQ.aspx?QID=97
• Iredell County rate is **$0.50 per $100** (for Davidson parcels that lie in Iredell). https://www.iredellcountync.gov/382/Tax-Rates

Quick example (Mecklenburg side): On a $700,000 assessed value, the estimated combined property tax using the references above would be roughly $5,322/year before any fees or special districts ($700,000 ÷ 100 × (0.4927 + 0.2660)). Always confirm the exact year’s rates and any fire district/solid‑waste fees on a specific property before you buy.

Sales tax: The combined state+local rate in Mecklenburg is commonly **7.25%**. Source: https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/north-carolina/cities/davidson.html

Why this matters: understanding the split between town and county helps you compare Davidson with nearby towns (Cornelius, Huntersville, Mooresville) and with South Carolina suburbs. Your agent can also pull the prior year’s actual bill for any listing you’re serious about to ground the math in reality.