This North Carolina Suburb Ranks As One Of The Top 10 Rising Luxury Cities In America

Looking for that luxury living experience close to home you're in luck. Our friends at Architectural Digest recently ranked 115 cities as the top emerging luxury cities in America. Ten different North Carolina cities made the luxury cities list, with one popular suburb ranking in the top 10! To be included on this list cities must have at least 100,000 residents as of 2023 and that number must be trending upwards. Cities were ranked in 6 different categories. These included activities, properties, dining, annual income, diversity, and safety.

According to Architectural Digest a rising luxury city offers "more than affluence". These cities are characterized by their "quality, comfort, and luxury". So which NC city made the top 10? Coming in at number 9 was Cary, NC. Cary is a suburb of Raleigh that I know very well. And I'd certainly understand why it has this ranking. It's prime location in the triangle is convenient for many high-paying jobs. And with a high average income and ever-growing infrastructure, it's only becoming a more enticing place to live year after year.

So who ranked above Cary? It was cities like Irvine, CA and Frisco, TX. According to Architectural Digest, the cities on this list are "where safety, achievement, and cultural diversity" meet "luxury activities, homes, and restaurants." You can read the full report and more about the methodology in this study here. Thanks to our friends at Architectural Digest for sharing their research with us.

What are the richest cities and towns in North Carolina? There is a lot of money in the state between the major cities, the mountains, the coast, and in between. The financial experts at Forbes recently conducted an analysis to determine the richest places in the state of North Carolina.  To do this they looked at over 400 cities aka census-designated places in NC. Cities were ranked on four metrics including median household income, mean household income, median home value, and median property taxes paid.

So which cities made the cut? There are several cities that are around a major lake. As well as some on the coast and the mountains in the top 5. Below you'll find detailed info about each of the top 5 cities and towns that are the richest places in North Carolina in 2023 according to Forbes. You'll also find info on the other cities that made the top 50 list that are in the vicinity of Charlotte.

If you live in any of these cities and towns and have some extra cash to share just let me know! Looking for more detailed information? You can get that directly from Forbes and can read more here.

Curious about the richest cities in South Carolina? You can find those here (hint it's a lot of coastal towns)

Total  Household: 22,351

Median Household Income: $102,335

Mean Household Income: $129,418

I'm actually a little surprised Huntersville didn't rank higher on this list. The town on the southern end of Lake Norman is home to shopping areas like Birkdale Village and is growing rapidly.

Total  Households: 3,459

Median Household Income: $89,004

Mean Household Income: $135,356

The Catawba side of Lake Norman is the second location on this list to be situated at "the lake". Lake Norman of Catawba is on the western side of the lake just north of Denver.

Total  Household: 12,913

Median Household Income: $95,147

Mean Household Income: $147,864

Staying at the lake this time the charming town of Cornelius.  You'll find it just north of Huntersville right off I-77.

Total  Household: 5,171

Median Household Income: $124,716

Mean Household Income: $130,724

Harrisburg is located in Cabarrus County North Carolina right on the border with Mecklenburg. The town is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.

Total  Household: 2,707

Median Household Income: $124,716

Mean Household Income: $145,122

Wesley Chapel is a village located in Union County, NC.

Total  Household: 5,930

Median Household Income: $123,370

Mean Household Income: $142,610

Staying in Union County next on this list is Waxhaw. Downtown is quaint and full of restaurants you're sure to love.

Total  Household: 5,292

Median Household Income: $141,845

Mean Household Income: $183,102

The town of  of Davidson is a small college town about 20 miles north of Charlotte.

Total  Households: 4,179

Median Household Income: $152,377

Mean Household Income: $194,027

Union County is no stranger to this list, and Weddington makes the top 10 but it's not the highest ranking town from the county.

Total  Household: 4,248

Median Household Income: $162,143

Mean Household Income: $224,096

Now we hop to the other side of Lake Norman to Iredell County. Guess there is  a little more money on the northeast side.

Total  Households: 89

Median Household Income: $121,458

Mean Household Income: $205,078

Bald Head Island only has 89 year-round residents, but it still ranks 5th on the list.

Total  Households: 1,815

Median Household Income: $221,350

Mean Household Income: $255, 494

The highest ranking Union County town is Marvin. Marvin is a village that is recognized as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

Total  Households: 858

Median Household Income: $195,682

Mean Household Income: $274,104

Governor's Club is a neighborhood in Chapel Hill with panoramic views of the lake & golf course.

Total  Household: 36

Median Household Income: $173,750

Mean Household Income: $329,828

Grandfather is a village in Avery County named after Grandfather Mountain. It's a fully gated community within Grandfather Golf and Country Club.

Total  Household:

Median Household Income:

Mean Household Income: