The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Charlotte For 2021


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Charlotte that are the real pits.

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
December 30, 2020 - 106,418 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 2021. 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 150 of Charlotte's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to Charlotte's reputation.

So what's the worst neighborhood to live in Charlotte for 2021? 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 2021

1. Pinecrest

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 227
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
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: 2 (No Change)
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. Smallwood

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,183
Rank Last Year: 4 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $57,233 (7th worst)
Median Income: $30,106 (27th worst)
More on Smallwood:  Data

4. Arbor Glen

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 322
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 1)
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.

5. Westover Hills

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,136
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $84,667 (27th worst)
Median Income: $19,104 (2nd worst)
More on Westover Hills:  Data

6. Reid Park

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,720
Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 9)
Median Home Value: $88,900 (34th worst)
Median Income: $25,592 (19th worst)
More on Reid Park:  Data

7. Westerly Hills

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,349
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 2)
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

8. Clanton Park-Roseland

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 3,742
Rank Last Year: 16 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $42,775 (worst)
Median Income: $30,774 (30th worst)
More on Clanton Park-Roseland:  Data

9. Firestone-Garden Park

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 3,866
Rank Last Year: 17 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $91,150 (36th worst)
Median Income: $39,709 (53rd worst)
More on Firestone-Garden Park:  Data

10. Thomasboro-Hoskins

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 5,913
Rank Last Year: 18 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $64,000 (10th worst)
Median Income: $25,249 (15th worst)
More on Thomasboro-Hoskins:  Data

How we determined the worst Charlotte hoods in 2021

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 150 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 2021?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Pinecrest 227 $83,200 $22,500
2 Tryon Hills 1,517 $82,633 $22,481
3 Smallwood 1,183 $57,233 $30,106
4 Arbor Glen 322 $83,200 $22,500
5 Westover Hills 1,136 $84,667 $19,104
6 Reid Park 1,720 $88,900 $25,592
7 Westerly Hills 1,349 $77,200 $30,417
8 Clanton Park-Roseland 3,742 $42,775 $30,774
9 Firestone-Garden Park 3,866 $91,150 $39,709
10 Thomasboro-Hoskins 5,913 $64,000 $25,249
11 Jackson Homes 145 $82,500 $25,036
12 Jt Williams 389 $88,100 $35,625
13 Capitol Drive 382 $82,500 $25,036
14 Druid Hills North 710 $88,100 $35,625
15 Ashley Park 2,652 $85,500 $25,574
16 Todd Park 856 $45,900 $50,253
17 Mccrorey Heights 378 $88,500 $24,483
18 Montclaire South 11,912 $86,929 $36,861
19 Enderly Park 3,249 $62,075 $27,311
20 Lakewood 533 $83,600 $35,469
21 University City South 5,206 $54,167 $30,048
22 Druid Hills South 1,395 $62,000 $19,295
23 Sugaw Creek-Ritch Ave 4,391 $93,750 $37,012
24 Oaklawn 524 $88,500 $24,483
25 Washington Heights 2,018 $77,300 $18,211
26 Grier Heights 2,958 $105,967 $31,189
27 West Blvd 892 $122,650 $30,066
28 Plaza-Eastway 7,003 $90,860 $33,934
29 Eagle Lake 4,402 $77,260 $46,382
30 Seversville 603 $108,400 $24,861
31 Oak Forest 6,226 $56,900 $32,686
32 Lincoln Heights 2,376 $79,050 $25,335
33 Ponderosa-Wingate 1,894 $91,750 $27,138
34 University City North 6,868 $74,020 $41,205
35 Slater Rd-Hamilton Circle 3,153 $106,900 $36,014
36 Wildwood 3,044 $108,500 $48,387
37 Hidden Valley 12,628 $72,600 $28,561
38 Genesis Park 457 $97,000 $23,704
39 Back Creek Church Road 6,386 $135,025 $30,174
40 Revolution Park 902 $79,300 $25,417
41 East Forest 14,488 $66,388 $40,222
42 Derita-Statesville 4,668 $106,950 $41,340
43 Sterling 4,189 $159,533 $47,448
44 Greenville 576 $101,800 $32,813
45 Toddville Road 8,615 $108,567 $41,122
46 Belmont 3,181 $104,675 $47,391
47 Coliseum Drive 518 $108,000 $31,293
48 Henderson Circle 3,811 $149,900 $62,714
49 Yorkmount 10,535 $57,040 $48,811
50 Double Oaks 1,428 $163,050 $25,245
51 Nevin Community 4,345 $110,750 $37,668
52 Biddleville 1,862 $108,600 $19,526
53 Harris-Houston 10,245 $106,375 $39,364
54 Lockwood 1,290 $134,600 $42,634
55 Wilson Heights 1,726 $106,900 $36,014
56 Westchester 3,721 $92,500 $43,153
57 Plaza-Shamrock 3,078 $148,950 $25,902
58 Mineral Springs-Rumble Road 8,946 $84,167 $60,660
59 University Park 1,215 $77,700 $27,222
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 Farm Pond 6,801 $99,525 $34,706
64 Optimist Park 907 $175,850 $53,306
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 Oakhurst 2,507 $139,000 $44,271
70 Eastway-Sheffield Park 5,481 $144,550 $44,868
71 Starmount Forest 7,643 $52,650 $37,075
72 Shannon Park 8,725 $102,900 $33,250
73 Olde Whitehall 5,804 $151,167 $65,209
74 Echo Hills 812 $149,400 $45,800
75 Newell South 3,550 $131,400 $58,750
76 Hwy 51-Park Road 1,999 $135,700 $52,552
77 Cherry 896 $256,300 $52,009
78 Harbor House 5,283 $164,600 $58,895
79 Beatties Ford-Trinity 4,150 $115,800 $49,821
80 Pawtuckett 4,762 $106,050 $50,164
81 Coulwood West 10,361 $135,400 $57,570
82 North Sharon Amity-Reddman Roa 8,471 $105,350 $40,600
83 Hickory Ridge 9,240 $119,350 $43,721
84 Rockwell Park-Hemphill Heights 4,925 $122,233 $44,441
85 Madison Park 4,510 $189,567 $67,478
86 Windsor Park 11,608 $113,550 $34,750
87 Hickory Grove 5,320 $146,550 $49,782
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 Collingwood 2,869 $199,850 $45,759
93 Griers Fork 3,301 $134,700 $60,306
94 Marlwood 6,190 $99,950 $41,909
95 Third Ward 2,409 $236,850 $77,602
96 Wilmore 2,269 $273,933 $72,819
97 Davis Lake-Eastfield 8,245 $167,560 $75,123
98 Prosperity Church Road 19,698 $160,291 $68,600
99 Plaza Hills 699 $246,300 $49,412
100 First Ward 2,175 $146,467 $48,679
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 Wesley Heights 1,836 $248,900 $88,417
105 Stonehaven 5,699 $237,460 $79,262
106 Country Club Heights 4,262 $225,933 $68,883
107 Starmount 3,411 $195,700 $70,405
108 Sardis Woods 4,227 $187,850 $68,141
109 Downtown Sharlotte 4,727 $267,600 $68,654
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 Carmel 6,330 $411,025 $80,182
124 Lansdowne 4,800 $415,433 $77,979
125 Sardis Forest 4,527 $275,267 $106,263
126 Piper Glen Estates 8,050 $354,725 $99,747
127 Ballantyne West 11,318 $296,475 $106,620
128 Elizabeth 4,896 $424,700 $81,658
129 Commonwealth 684 $275,000 $84,353
130 Providence Plantation 8,067 $376,620 $125,306
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 Hembstead 2,813 $514,900 $148,523
141 Ballantyne East 8,489 $424,150 $99,767
142 Quail Hollow 3,614 $259,150 $90,194
143 Foxcroft 5,426 $724,175 $120,148
144 Governor's Square 1,561 $361,600 $78,071
145 Mountainbrook 2,538 $533,850 $106,958
146 Beverly Woods 6,482 $480,920 $88,673
147 Chantilly 1,503 $322,700 $92,311
148 Myers Park 11,526 $771,500 $153,401
149 Oxford Hunt 4,753 $382,667 $104,645
150 Eastover 2,710 $1,008,550 $221,310

 Worst