THE 10 WORST Neighborhoods In Charlotte For 2020


We used science and data to determine which Charlotte neighborhoods are the real pits.

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
January 12, 2020 - 75,728 views
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Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out we updated this article for 2020. This is our fifth time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Charlotte.
Worst Neighborhoods In Charlotte
Source: Wikipedia User Greengrass090 | CC BY-SA 3.0

Charlotte’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in Charlotte.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in Charlotte. Some neighborhoods aren’t as great as others.

So the question arises, which Charlotte neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we’ll use science and data to determine which Charlotte hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the Charlotte area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Eastover ranks way above the rest.

We examined 151 of Charlotte’s neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to Charlotte’s reputation.

Here are the 10 worst neighborhoods in Charlotte according to data:

  1. Pinecrest
  2. Tryon Hills
  3. Arbor Glen
  4. Smallwood
  5. Westerly Hills
  6. Oaklawn
  7. Lakewood
  8. JT Williams
  9. Westover Hills
  10. Druid Hills North

So what’s the worst neighborhood to live in Charlotte for 2020? According to the most recent census data, Pinecrest looks to be the worst neighborhood in Charlotte.

Read on to see how we determined the places around Charlotte that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.

Once you’re done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best.

Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Charlotte.

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Charlotte For 2020

1. Pinecrest

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 227
Rank Last Year: 2 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $83,200 (24th worst)
Median Income: $22,500 (6th worst)
More on Pinecrest:  Data

2. Tryon Hills

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,517
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $82,633 (22nd worst)
Median Income: $22,481 (5th worst)
More on Tryon Hills:  Data

Tryon Hills is area surrounding North Tryon St just northeast of Uptown.

3. Arbor Glen

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 322
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $83,200 (24th worst)
Median Income: $22,500 (6th worst)
More on Arbor Glen:  Data

The Arboretum is the general area of Charlotte, North Carolina which surrounds the eponymous mixed-use shopping center, apartment community, office complex and medical park which opened in 1989. The shopping center is home to Charlotte’s first Wal-Mart store, and the area’s name comes from the abundance of trees in the area. The center of the neighborhood is at Route 16 and 51, and the community is bordered by the SouthPark neighborhood to the northwest, the Ballantyne area to the southwest and the town of Matthews and Providence High to the east.

4. Smallwood

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,183
Rank Last Year: 12 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $57,233 (7th worst)
Median Income: $30,106 (27th worst)
More on Smallwood:  Data

5. Westerly Hills

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,349
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $77,200 (14th worst)
Median Income: $30,417 (29th worst)
More on Westerly Hills:  Data

Westerly Hills is the neighborhood surrounding Alleghany St, Ashley Road and Wilkinson Blvd, west of uptown Charlotte

6. Oaklawn

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 524
Rank Last Year: 55 (Up 49)
Median Home Value: $88,500 (32nd worst)
Median Income: $24,483 (10th worst)
More on Oaklawn:  Data

7. Lakewood

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 533
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $83,600 (25th worst)
Median Income: $35,469 (42nd worst)
More on Lakewood:  Data

8. Jt Williams

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 389
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 3)
Median Home Value: $88,100 (30th worst)
Median Income: $35,625 (44th worst)
More on Jt Williams:  Data

9. Westover Hills

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,136
Rank Last Year: 1 (Down 8)
Median Home Value: $84,667 (27th worst)
Median Income: $19,104 (2nd worst)
More on Westover Hills:  Data

10. Druid Hills North

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 710
Rank Last Year: 14 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $88,100 (30th worst)
Median Income: $35,625 (44th worst)
More on Druid Hills North:  Data

How we determined the worst Charlotte hoods in 2020

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Charlotte:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a “Worst Score”.

The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the worst neighborhood of Charlotte.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Charlotte to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 151 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

The ‘hoods around Charlotte that are really hoods

Well there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in Charlotte with Pinecrest landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Charlotte aren’t all bad. Eastover takes the cake as the best place to live in Charlotte.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Charlotte For 2020?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Pinecrest 227 $83,200 $22,500
2 Tryon Hills 1,517 $82,633 $22,481
3 Arbor Glen 322 $83,200 $22,500
4 Smallwood 1,183 $57,233 $30,106
5 Westerly Hills 1,349 $77,200 $30,417
6 Oaklawn 524 $88,500 $24,483
7 Lakewood 533 $83,600 $35,469
8 Jt Williams 389 $88,100 $35,625
9 Westover Hills 1,136 $84,667 $19,104
10 Druid Hills North 710 $88,100 $35,625
11 West Blvd 892 $122,650 $30,066
12 Jackson Homes 145 $82,500 $25,036
13 Ashley Park 2,652 $85,500 $25,574
14 Capitol Drive 382 $82,500 $25,036
15 Reid Park 1,720 $88,900 $25,592
16 Clanton Park-Roseland 3,742 $42,775 $30,774
17 Firestone-Garden Park 3,866 $91,150 $39,709
18 Thomasboro-Hoskins 5,913 $64,000 $25,249
19 Todd Park 856 $45,900 $50,253
20 Montclaire South 11,912 $86,929 $36,861
21 Mccrorey Heights 378 $88,500 $24,483
22 Enderly Park 3,249 $62,075 $27,311
23 Sugaw Creek-Ritch Ave 4,391 $93,750 $37,012
24 University City South 5,206 $54,167 $30,048
25 Revolution Park 902 $79,300 $25,417
26 Druid Hills South 1,395 $62,000 $19,295
27 Coliseum Drive 518 $108,000 $31,293
28 Grier Heights 2,958 $105,967 $31,189
29 Washington Heights 2,018 $77,300 $18,211
30 Plaza-Eastway 7,003 $90,860 $33,934
31 Seversville 603 $108,400 $24,861
32 Eagle Lake 4,402 $77,260 $46,382
33 Ponderosa-Wingate 1,894 $91,750 $27,138
34 Oak Forest 6,226 $56,900 $32,686
35 Lincoln Heights 2,376 $79,050 $25,335
36 Slater Rd-Hamilton Circle 3,153 $106,900 $36,014
37 University City North 6,868 $74,020 $41,205
38 Wildwood 3,044 $108,500 $48,387
39 Genesis Park 457 $97,000 $23,704
40 Greenville 576 $101,800 $32,813
41 Hidden Valley 12,628 $72,600 $28,561
42 University Park 1,215 $77,700 $27,222
43 Back Creek Church Road 6,386 $135,025 $30,174
44 Sterling 4,189 $159,533 $47,448
45 East Forest 14,488 $66,388 $40,222
46 Derita-Statesville 4,668 $106,950 $41,340
47 Toddville Road 8,615 $108,567 $41,122
48 Belmont 3,181 $104,675 $47,391
49 Yorkmount 10,535 $57,040 $48,811
50 Lockwood 1,290 $134,600 $42,634
51 Nevin Community 4,345 $110,750 $37,668
52 Biddleville 1,862 $108,600 $19,526
53 Henderson Circle 3,811 $149,900 $62,714
54 Double Oaks 1,428 $163,050 $25,245
55 Wilson Heights 1,726 $106,900 $36,014
56 Westchester 3,721 $92,500 $43,153
57 Harris-Houston 10,245 $106,375 $39,364
58 Mineral Springs-Rumble Road 8,946 $84,167 $60,660
59 Plaza-Shamrock 3,078 $148,950 $25,902
60 Villa Heights 1,750 $115,350 $34,150
61 Oakdale South 5,210 $128,500 $52,599
62 Idlewild Farms 5,775 $125,900 $35,789
63 Optimist Park 907 $175,850 $53,306
64 Farm Pond 6,801 $99,525 $34,706
65 Idlewild South 7,241 $111,500 $42,432
66 Eastland-Wilora Lake 6,460 $122,420 $32,727
67 North Charlotte 2,701 $196,267 $74,434
68 Becton Park 4,472 $120,167 $48,166
69 Starmount Forest 7,643 $52,650 $37,075
70 Shannon Park 8,725 $102,900 $33,250
71 Oakhurst 2,507 $139,000 $44,271
72 Echo Hills 812 $149,400 $45,800
73 Eastway-Sheffield Park 5,481 $144,550 $44,868
74 Olde Whitehall 5,804 $151,167 $65,209
75 Newell South 3,550 $131,400 $58,750
76 Hwy 51-Park Road 1,999 $135,700 $52,552
77 Harbor House 5,283 $164,600 $58,895
78 Beatties Ford-Trinity 4,150 $115,800 $49,821
79 Pawtuckett 4,762 $106,050 $50,164
80 Cherry 896 $256,300 $52,009
81 Coulwood West 10,361 $135,400 $57,570
82 Rockwell Park-Hemphill Heights 4,925 $122,233 $44,441
83 North Sharon Amity-Reddman Roa 8,471 $105,350 $40,600
84 Hickory Ridge 9,240 $119,350 $43,721
85 Hickory Grove 5,320 $146,550 $49,782
86 Windsor Park 11,608 $113,550 $34,750
87 Madison Park 4,510 $189,567 $67,478
88 Briarcreek-Woodland 4,743 $135,967 $35,465
89 West Sugar Creek 8,067 $126,460 $53,178
90 Rain Tree 3,610 $252,950 $68,050
91 Yorkshire 9,123 $170,033 $69,939
92 Griers Fork 3,301 $134,700 $60,306
93 Marlwood 6,190 $99,950 $41,909
94 Davis Lake-Eastfield 8,245 $167,560 $75,123
95 Collingwood 2,869 $199,850 $45,759
96 Third Ward 2,409 $236,850 $77,602
97 Wilmore 2,269 $273,933 $72,819
98 Prosperity Church Road 19,698 $160,291 $68,600
99 First Ward 2,175 $146,467 $48,679
100 Plaza Hills 699 $246,300 $49,412
101 Fourth Ward 3,712 $194,400 $83,457
102 Barclay Downs 5,230 $531,900 $94,097
103 Highland Creek 13,107 $199,629 $82,639
104 Stonehaven 5,699 $237,460 $79,262
105 Country Club Heights 4,262 $225,933 $68,883
106 Wesley Heights 1,836 $248,900 $88,417
107 Downtown Sharlotte 4,727 $267,600 $68,654
108 Starmount 3,411 $195,700 $70,405
109 Sardis Woods 4,227 $187,850 $68,141
110 Johnston Rd-Mcalpine 6,173 $141,775 $59,753
111 Whiteoak 2,612 $285,200 $83,125
112 Closeburn-Glenkirk 4,898 $157,767 $71,634
113 Park Crossing 5,874 $231,380 $84,683
114 Marshbrooke 15,856 $126,071 $49,960
115 Sedgefield 3,001 $305,667 $52,665
116 Sherwood Forest 4,003 $342,500 $97,713
117 Plaza Midwood 3,548 $352,425 $108,736
118 Dilworth 7,618 $511,670 $95,298
119 Provincetowne 11,160 $268,771 $79,209
120 Colonial Village 1,221 $228,200 $61,818
121 Providence Park 2,559 $188,550 $61,546
122 Cotswold 4,747 $349,550 $77,754
123 Lansdowne 4,800 $415,433 $77,979
124 Carmel 6,330 $411,025 $80,182
125 Sardis Forest 4,527 $275,267 $106,263
126 Piper Glen Estates 8,050 $354,725 $99,747
127 Commonwealth 684 $275,000 $84,353
128 Ballantyne West 11,318 $296,475 $106,620
129 Providence Plantation 8,067 $376,620 $125,306
130 Elizabeth 4,896 $424,700 $81,658
131 Olde Providence North 3,382 $419,633 $112,603
132 Seven Eagles 3,796 $562,150 $105,370
133 Olde Providence South 5,131 $441,350 $94,004
134 Sharon Woods 4,427 $302,250 $88,238
135 Wendover-Sedgewood 3,032 $696,650 $68,450
136 Providence Crossing 8,310 $399,225 $134,049
137 Touchstone Village-Elm Lane 2,498 $264,100 $69,150
138 Ashbrook-Clawson Village 3,771 $272,433 $71,479
139 Freedom Park 2,621 $474,800 $112,784
140 Wessex Square 4,754 $591,633 $157,851
141 Hembstead 2,813 $514,900 $148,523
142 Ballantyne East 8,489 $424,150 $99,767
143 Quail Hollow 3,614 $259,150 $90,194
144 Foxcroft 5,426 $724,175 $120,148
145 Governor’s Square 1,561 $361,600 $78,071
146 Mountainbrook 2,538 $533,850 $106,958
147 Beverly Woods 6,482 $480,920 $88,673
148 Chantilly 1,503 $322,700 $92,311
149 Myers Park 11,526 $771,500 $153,401
150 Oxford Hunt 4,753 $382,667 $104,645
151 Eastover 2,710 $1,008,550 $221,310

 Worst 

2 thoughts on “THE 10 WORST Neighborhoods In Charlotte For 2020”

  1. This list is total bullshit you can tell its all from a computer. Boulevard homes doesnt even exist anymore and these pictures are fake.

    Reply

  2. I don’t know when this list was composed, but it’s incorrect. Smallwood is going through gentrification and 80% of the homes are averaging prices of 350k. Crime in Smallwood is also. As for Arbor Glen your list has it associated with the Arboretum which is incorrect. Oakland is another neighborhood that’s going through gentrification.

    Reply

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