Kannapolis

About Kannapolis

Kannapolis is a mid-sized city in central North Carolina perhaps best known as the hometown of one of NASCAR's most famous families, the Earnhardts. It's a family-friendly suburb of Charlotte that's seen impressive growth in the past few decades, nearly doubling its population between 1990 and 2015. Part of the city's success can be attributed to the North Carolina Research Campus, a large public-private venture that houses corporations, university research teams and health care organizations focused on nutrition, biotech and food-based research.

The History of the Kannapolis Name

In 1906, J.W. Cannon purchased the land where Kannapolis now sits. He used just over 800 acres of the land as the site of his Cannon Manufacturing textile mill, which became the world's largest producer of sheets and towels by 1914. A small community, mainly housing Cannon's employees, grew around the mill. Local newspapers and mill workers began referring to the community as Cannon-opolis and Cannapolis, and J.W. Cannon asked the county to accept the name, but with a "K" instead of a "C".

Living in Kannapolis

Kannapolis has attracted many new residents with its budget-friendly housing, convenient amenities and low crime rate. You'll be able to find a comfortable home at a good price, and feel extremely safe in your community. Additionally, the cost of everyday goods and services like groceries, gas and health care tend to be less expensive here than many other U.S. cities of the same size.

Several parks in Kannapolis offer a variety of recreational options, including expansive green space and athletic fields. There are also two private recreational facilities in the area: The Club at Irish Creek and Kannapolis Recreation Park.

The North Carolina Research Campus has had a major impact on the city and its economy. The 350-acre campus provides many jobs for Kannapolis locals, and may be a good place to start if you're looking for a job of your own. While many of the jobs are highly technical roles, like research scientists and university professors, there are also many support staff needed to keep the establishment running.

Kannapolis Schools

Most students in Kannapolis attend schools that are part of the Kannapolis City Schools district. Private schools options include Franklin Heights Christian Academy and Faith Christian Academy.

Kannapolis is also home to a campus of Shaw University, which offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as continuing education.

Resources for Moving to Kannapolis

Here are a few resources that can help you settle in to Kannapolis:

• Utilities: The city manages water and sewer services, including service activation and billing. Duke Energy and PSNC Energy are the city's primary energy providers.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash, yard waste and bulky items are picked up on a weekly basis, while recyclables are collected every other week. Leaf collection is provided on a seasonal basis, typically late October to early March.
• Transportation: Public transportation options in Kannapolis include the Concord Kannapolis Area Transit, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Amtrak.

Kannapolis Housing

The Kannapolis housing market is extremely affordable, with a wide range of options that are priced well below the national average. There are homes of many different sizes and styles, as well as numerous new construction options in large, planned communities to choose from. Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage or an expansive estate, you'll be able to find a good match.