Statesville at a glance
| County | Iredell County (Statesville is the county seat) |
|---|---|
| Population | 28,419 (2020 Census) |
| Median sale price | About $317K (Redfin, Jun–Aug 2026) |
| Interstates | I-77 (north–south) and I-40 (east–west) meet in town, plus US 21, 64 and 70 |
| Schools | Iredell-Statesville Schools |
| College | Mitchell Community College (founded 1852), downtown on W. Broad St. |
| Airport | Statesville Regional Airport (general aviation). The nearest airline service is Charlotte Douglas International. |
Where Statesville is, and how the commute works
Statesville sits in the middle of Iredell County, north of Lake Norman. Because I-77 and I-40 cross here, it's one of the best-connected small cities in the state:
- Mooresville and Lake Norman: about 20–25 minutes south on I-77
- Uptown Charlotte: about 45 miles south, usually 45–60 minutes depending on I-77 traffic
- Hickory: about 30–40 minutes west on I-40
- Winston-Salem: about 45 minutes to an hour east on I-40
- Blue Ridge Mountains: a practical day trip. Boone and Blowing Rock are roughly 1.5 hours away.
Many of my Statesville buyers work hybrid or remote and drive to Charlotte a few days a week. If you'll commute to Charlotte every day, look at the south side of town or Troutman to take some time off the drive.
Cost of living: taxes and utilities
Your property tax bill comes from Iredell County. If the home is inside Statesville city limits, the city rate is added on the same bill. The City of Statesville lists its rate as $0.5176 per $100 of assessed value, on top of the county rate. Homes outside the city limits pay county tax only (plus any fire district tax) but may not get city water and sewer.
One thing that surprises newcomers: the City of Statesville runs its own electric utility, Statesville Public Power, which the city has owned since 1889. It calls itself North Carolina's oldest publicly owned electric utility. Depending on the address, your power could come from the city or from another provider. The city also runs water, sewer and stormwater service. Ask me to check a specific house. It affects your monthly budget.
Tip: Before you make an offer, ask for 12 months of utility bills, especially on older homes near downtown. Energy costs vary a lot with insulation and HVAC age.
Schools
Statesville is served by Iredell-Statesville Schools. High schools serving Statesville addresses include Statesville High (in the city on N. Center St.), West Iredell High, South Iredell High (which also serves the Troutman area), and North Iredell High in Olin, which serves parts of north and east Statesville. Crossroads Arts & Science Early College and Mitchell Community College are also in town. School zones follow exact addresses, not neighborhood names, so always confirm with the district's school locator before you buy.
Things to do in Statesville
- Carolina BalloonFest: held every October near Statesville Regional Airport. It started in 1974 as the National Balloon Rally and bills itself as the second-oldest hot air balloon festival in the world.
- Fort Dobbs State Historic Site: built in 1756 and North Carolina's only state historic site focused on the French and Indian War. It hosts living-history events through the year.
- Downtown Statesville: historic brick storefronts along Broad and Center Streets with local restaurants, shops and events. The Downtown Statesville Commercial District is on the National Register.
- Statesville Greenway: about six miles of trail in four sections. The paved Fourth Creek segment starts on E. Broad St., and the Gregory Creek segment starts on Pump Station Rd.
- Lake Norman State Park: just south in Troutman, with swimming, camping, hiking and about 31 miles of mountain-bike trails.
- Golf: Larkin Golf Club and Statesville Country Club.
Jobs and the local economy
Iredell County has a large manufacturing and distribution base. The regional economic development group lists companies like Cheney Brothers, Corvid, Denso, Doosan, Kewaunee, NGK, SCN Bestco, Sherwin-Williams and Trane Technologies among major county employers. Iredell Health System, with Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, is a major local employer. Lowe's corporate headquarters is about 20 minutes south in Mooresville.
Where to live in Statesville
It depends on your budget and lifestyle. My Statesville neighborhoods guide breaks down the historic districts, established neighborhoods and amenity communities. If you want something brand new, see new construction in Statesville. If you want to be closer to the lake, see Troutman.