$486,209Average Value$218Average Price per Sq Ft15Homes For Sale
Lakefront living close to Downtown Hickory
The arboreal, hilly suburb of Northlakes is a few miles north of Downtown Hickory in neighboring Caldwell County, on the other side of Lake Hickory. “There’s a road called Grace Chapel Road, and off of that, you’ve got several lakefront subdivisions which together make up Northlakes. There’s not much retail there, and it’s basically all homes,” says Duke McLauchlin, Realtor with Lake Hickory Realty and 28-year resident of Hickory. “We now have two restaurants on the lake and several marinas, so it’s a very popular place for those who love life by the water.” The first homes were laid out in the 1970s as housing for employees of Siecor, now Corning, Inc., but waves of development have since come through the community, the housing stock ranging from ranch-style builds to 3,000-square-foot Colonial Revival manors. Northlakes has a CAP Index overall crime score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Lake Hickory is one of the highlights to the area and a major draw to locals of Northlakes.
The downtown Hickory area offers Northlakes locals great entertainment and dining options.
Residents of Northlakes can head downtown the the popular Olde Hickory Tap Room.
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Lakefront manors, homes in the hills and available lots
As the name might suggest, Northlakes is surrounded on three sides by water, and many homes have docks on Lake Hickory. Thanks to Northlakes’ hilly terrain, even if a homeowner doesn’t have a house on the lake, they might still have a grand view of the water. Mature forests run through the neighborhood, giving it a rustic charm, though residents must ask for permission from Duke Energy before felling trees. Northlakes’ established subdivisions date back to around the 1970s, with homes following ranch-style, split-level and Cape Cod designs. Newer builds reflect New Traditional architectural styles and often have at least 2,500 square feet of interior space. Prices typically range between $250,000 and $700,000, but lakefront homes can get up to about $1.2 million. Much of the neighborhood has been built up, but a few undeveloped lots remain, both inland and by the shore. Inland lots sell for around $30,000, but waterfront parcels can near $100,000.
Many of the waterfront homes of Northlakes offer private docks and lake access.
There are many communities of Northlakes with beautiful majestic waterfront homes.
Communities along the banks of Lake Hickory are highly sought after in Northlakes.
New traditional homes are very common to see throughout the neighborhoods of Northlakes.
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Caldwell County schools and Hickory colleges
Northlakes students are zoned to attend Caldwell County Schools located in Granite Falls and Hudson. Niche awards Granite Falls Elementary an A-minus and ranks the school as the best public elementary in the county, while Granite Falls Middle receives a B. Students going to B-minus-rated South Caldwell High can take courses at Caldwell Community College and receive college credit. Hickory Christian Academy provides students with a faith-based education and earns a B from Niche. Appalachian State’s (called App State by locals) recently opened Hickory campus is down US Highway 321, while Lenoir-Rhyne University, a private Lutheran institution, is farther east.
Granite Falls Elementary School serves just under 600 young learners.
The student body of Granite Falls Middle School is just over 500.
South Caldwell High School receives an overall rating of "B-" from niche.com.
Northlakes locals can enjoy the popular athletics games at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
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Boating on the lake and hiking down trails
Northlakes locals really do love spending time on the lake, and most waterfront residences have their own private docks. Otherwise, they can moor their boats at one of six marinas. “Lake Hickory’s very popular for boaters from Memorial Day to Labor Day. After that, you’ll mainly just see fishermen. It’s a pretty busy lake, and we have two restaurants by the water now,” McLauchlin says, giving the SandBar Marina & Grill as an example. Geitner Park is right across the Highway 321 bridge, offering dirt trails for mountain biking, pavilions and a boat ramp. Anglers like to cast lines from the park’s two piers or from the rocky alcoves along the shore. The city of Hickory has been rolling out several paved trails around town, including the Riverwalk, which opened in spring 2024. The trail follows Lake Hickory for about a mile before ascending a hill and linking up to Geitner Park.
Northlakes residents enjoy the easy and convenient access to Lake Hickory.
The new Riverwalk takes Northlakes visitors for a beautiful nature walk on Lake Hickory.
Surrounded by dense old growth forests offer tranquility to residents of Northlakes.
Spending time outdoors with good company is a way of life for Northlakes residents.
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Food, furniture and shopping
Several fast-food restaurants and a shopping plaza with a Walmart Supercenter are up US Highway 321, but a lot of residents opt to dine out in Downtown Hickory, which has started to receive an influx of new restaurants and breweries. One of them is City Walk Brewery, featuring an indoor patio and a menu stocked with homemade brews and liquor. Upstairs, patrons will find Cranford Brother’s Barbecue, known for its open kitchen and brisket. Frothy Rooster and Cowa-Saké are next door to each other, owned by the same management. Frothy Rooster serves up breakfast and brunch fare such as maple-glazed, yeast roll doughnuts with bacon jam, while Cowa-Saké specializes in sushi and cocktails. Further down 321, Valley Hills Mall offers two stories of department stores and a food court. For furnishings, Hickory Furniture Mart has four whole floors of sofas, recliners, dining tables and more. “When I think of Hickory, I think of furniture,” McLauchlin says. “I can even remember when I grew up in Florida, one of my best friend’s moms went to Hickory for furniture shopping. And there still are people who come here just for that.”
Northlakes locals can taste the popular taps at Hickory's Citywalk Brewery.
Northlakes residents can enjoy the popular Hickory Station for local shopping and dining.
The Hickory Furniture Mart is a popular spot for Northlakes locals to get amazing deals.
Northlakes residents are minutes from the popular shopping destination of Valley Hills Mall.
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Northlakes residents have fast and convenient access to both Highway 321 and Interstate 40.
Northlakes residents usually prefer driving
A hilly community with roads on the narrow side and few sidewalks, Northlakes is car-dependent. US Highway 321 takes commuters down to Hickory and up to Lenoir, passing through smaller towns such as Granite Falls. “We’re far away enough from Charlotte that we don’t have to deal with the traffic,” McLauchlin says, though he notes that some residents opt to make the 60-mile commute to The Queen City.
Events for all seasons on Lake Hickory
Northlakes celebrates Independence Day with a bang, with many boaters setting off fireworks from Lake Hickory. “The Fourth of July on the lake is huge – it’s so crowded, and there are boats as far as the eye can see. Depending on where you are, you can also see the fireworks from Crawdads Stadium,” McLauchlin says, referring to the fireworks show at the home stadium of the town’s Single-A minor league baseball team. McLauchlin also highlights the Lake Hickory Christmas Parade, featuring caroling, live music and a festive flotilla of decorated boats led by Santa Claus.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Hefner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Geitner-Rotary Park
Winkler Park
Art Bench Park
Glenn Hilton Park
Neill W. Clark Jr. Recreation Center & Park
Hickory City Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Northlakes
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Northlakes, Granite Falls sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Northlakes, Granite Falls over the last 12 months is $611,139, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nice wooded lot in the Granite Falls area. This 0.51 acre lot located in the Diamond Pointe Estates on Lake Hickory is ready for you to make your dream become a reality. Choice your owner builder to build the sanctuary that you have been wanting and be able to choice the trees you leave to provide the privacy or view that you desire. Just moments from the lake and all the local stores,
Nice wooded lot in the Granite Falls area. This 1.05 acre lot located in the Diamond Pointe Estates on Lake Hickory is ready for you to make your dream become a reality. Choice your owner builder to build the sanctuary that you have been wanting and be able to choice the trees you leave to provide the privacy or view that you desire. Just moments from the lake and all the local stores,
Nice wooded corner lot in the Granite Falls area. This 0.51 acre lot located in the Diamond Pointe Estates on Lake Hickory is ready for you to make your dream become a reality. Choice your owner builder to build the sanctuary that you have been wanting and be able to choice the trees you leave to provide the privacy or view that you desire. Just moments from the lake and all the local stores,
BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT HOME!! This bungalow is right on Lake Hickory. This cute 1 BR 1 BA with a garage is just precious!! Has a dock on Lake Hickory. Beautiful views of the Lake. Nice yard space! Bring your boat or jet ski for all the lake fun!! Summertime is coming!!
Pam WhiteAllison & White Property Management & Realty
Available 5/1/25- GREAT Rental In NORTHLAKES! This 3 BR 2.5BA home w/huge main level living room, kitchen w/granite counters and SS appliances, large primary BR & BA with granite counter; 2nd BR and half BA. Spacious deck overlooking the beautiful backyard with mature landscaping and storage building. Upstairs is a huge bedroom, full bath with granite counter-tops, a lg bonus room & computer
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Stephanie Hefner,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,563
Median Age
49
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$95,948
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$131,336
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
48.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.4%
% Population in Labor Force
73%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
7/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
