2019 Most Diverse Suburbs in North CarolinaAbout this List

High Point

• City in North Carolina
• 253 reviews

Former Resident: Grew up here and loved it! It's a city with a small town feel. Great people, food, parks and architecture. They need to improve public transportation and provide more public activities and spaces downtown, but overall it's a pretty place. The university campus is gorgeous, growing and a catalyst in the community. Centrally located, not far from the mountains or the coast. Consistently voted one of the best places to live, probably due to the quality of life.
Read 253 Reviews

• B+

• B

• A+

• 109,849 Population

Monroe

• Suburb of Charlotte, NC
• 71 reviews

Current Resident: I love the city I've grown up in, specifically the small town of Unionville. If I could say anything about Unionville, I would say raise your kids here! The hospitality and small town feel, in my experience, while growing up is like no other. Unionville Elementary is also no doubt the best elementary school EVER! I loved my schooling experience and never would've wanted to live anywhere other than in Unionville. Monroe however, has seemed to deteriorate, and while I absolutely love the place I live, I think we need to come together and make our city a better place.
Read 71 Reviews

• B

• B

• A+

• 34,368 Population

Winston-Salem

• City in North Carolina
• 579 reviews

Current Resident: Winston Salem is like New York City for most kids where I'm from. That being because there's nothing to do except in Winston-Salem. Winston Salem has so many culturally diverse restaurants that my friends and I will spend the weekend trying as many as we can. It also has an extremely large mall, which is very exciting for the average teenage girl, such as myself. It houses several different movie theaters as well, which is always good for a date night. The nightlife there is fun too! I've been to Winston Salem's bowling alley and nightclub, and I had a blast at both! But my favorite part of Winston-Salem is it's historic district, Old Salem. People can walk on cobblestone streets around the restored old building, and there's a living (interactive) history museum. Employees dress up in 1700's style clothes and speak in old English. I have very fond memories from it as a child. There is no doubt that Winston-Salem has been a source of my happiness for many years.
Read 579 Reviews

• A-

• B-

• A+

• 240,193 Population

Knightdale

• Suburb of Raleigh, NC
• 72 reviews

Current Resident: My family moved to Knightdale about 3 years ago and we absolutely love the lifestyle here. It is filled with up and coming suburban neighborhoods with such affordable prices. Everyone from Raleigh is moving to the Knightdale area because it's nice, peaceful, and close to Raleigh and any other small town in the triangle area. It's easy to get to and from the highways, which makes commuting to work easy if you work in nearby cities. Knightdale Blvd. has everything you might need for all your grocery shopping needs, retail, food, the gym, banks, and more. It's a very nice place to live with easy access to anywhere you want to go, whether that is in Knightdale or nearby cities!
Read 72 Reviews

• A

• B

• A+

• 14,363 Population

Burlington

• Town in North Carolina
• 126 reviews

Current Resident: For a relatively small town, Burlington has a lot to do. There are festivals, outdoor movies hosted by the city, and plenty of restaurants. The schools are great, though my personal experience is with Elon University. The town is close to bigger cities like Greensboro, so you aren't stuck there. My only complaint is that with a private university comes a lot of people, creating a lot of traffic. However, that is the norm with any college town.
Read 126 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A+

• 52,813 Population

Wilson's Mills

• Town in North Carolina

• B-

• B-

• A+

• 2,504 Population

Pineville

• Suburb of Charlotte, NC
• 14 reviews

Current Resident: I liked that the mall and downtown Pineville are minutes away from one another. The rec center has free memberships for the residents that include a workout facility, park, rental facilities, dance classes, etc. The Pineville police are hands on and respectful of all residents.
Read 14 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A+

• 8,418 Population

Butner

• Town in North Carolina
• 2 reviews

Current Resident: Hello all:

I like Butner because it's a wonderful place to raise a family. The town has excellent schools and promotes family oriented family activities. It's a great town that is filled with lots of love for it's community. Overall, I've enjoyed my experience and would recommend it to others.
Read 2 Reviews

• B-

• C

• A+

• 7,709 Population

Spring Lake

• Town in North Carolina
• 31 reviews

Current Resident: I have a 2 bed/2 bath apartment in a nice neighborhood for $525 monthly. It's within an easy walk of a plaza with everything a modern family could need. Within a short drive are two beautiful hiking trails. Crime is nearly nonexistent here, although the town to the south has frequent homicides and the town to the north had a recent home invasion.
Read 31 Reviews

• B

• B

• A+

• 12,746 Population

Hope Mills

• Town in North Carolina
• 70 reviews

Current Resident: Hope Mills is a nice area with a variety of things to see. It often gets traffic, but that just shows how much of a diverse community we have. There are many new things like restaurants and roads added onto the town. And, there are many places to choose from to eat in the area. Along with different attractions like the movies, mini golf, the mall, outlets, and even a local lake. The town is commonly friendly and the education system tries their best to implement community service into their scholarly activities to help encourage people to help out in our community and town.
Read 70 Reviews

• B

• B

• A

• 16,106 Population

Raeford

• Town in North Carolina
• 48 reviews

Current Resident: I love my small town of Raeford. It has such a family feel. Everyone knows everyone! We have one high school and the best thing built since I have been here was a Wal-Mart, but I still love it here. Life in Raeford is so simple compared to the big cities. We do not have to deal with traffic. I am grateful for all the people I have met in my small town of Raeford.
Read 48 Reviews

• B-

• C+

• A

• 4,859 Population

Zebulon

• Town in North Carolina
• 17 reviews

Current Resident: Zebulon is a wonderful small town. Great neighborhoods and a close connected community. Lots of restaurants and business. Located off of highway 64 in North Carolina
Read 17 Reviews

• B+

• A-

• A

• 4,943 Population

Smithfield

• Town in North Carolina
• 35 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Smithfield most of my life. I love the small town feel. Downtown has great shops and a movie theater! Easily accessible with Hwy 70 and I-95 only minutes alway from you. We have a great number of big name restaurants, stores and hotels for anyone’s preference.
Read 35 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A

• 11,824 Population

Siler City

• Town in North Carolina
• 26 reviews

Former Resident: Cute, little small town that has it's own unique charm. I'm not a native, but moved there for Freshman year of school. Everything is within walking distance, very traditional southern charming place.
Read 26 Reviews

• C+

• B-

• A

• 8,116 Population

Garner

• Suburb of Raleigh, NC
• 89 reviews

Current Resident: I've loved living in Garner. It's a small town that has everything you need within a 15-minute drive. You can find grocery stores, churches, parks, convenience stores, movie theaters, shopping centers, and more! You tend to bump into the same people somewhat often, so it's easy to build relationships.
Read 89 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A

• 28,048 Population

Salisbury

• Town in North Carolina
• 114 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Salisbury my whole life and my experience has been nothing but great. There are many things to do, and a variety of places to eat. The schools here are great and I feel they have prepared me for my future. The community is very friendly and often helps each-other. There are plenty of jobs that can be found in a variety of different fields. The population is very diverse which is always good. Salisbury also has a great history, which i find very interesting to learn about. The only downfall is the safety of certain parts of the town at night.
Read 114 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A

• 33,561 Population

Morrisville

• Suburb of Raleigh, NC
• 58 reviews

Current Resident: Morrisville is very clean and fresh-looking! It's homey and very diverse. I have recently moved here for work and it was very easy to find my current job. Many people commute to Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill to work as well. I like how Morrisville is right in the middle of the triangle, so everything is in easy access! Morrisville offers many wonderful places to eat as well, and a lot of them are privately owned so you get authentic meals. If you are more interested in night life, downtown Raleigh is just down the road, and makes for an easy way to go out with your friends.
Read 58 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A

• 23,873 Population

Concord

• Town in North Carolina
• 207 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Concord almost my entire life and I love it! It's a very family friendly town with lots of outdoor activities to do. I love taking my sisters over to Frank Liske Park to play soccer or play on the playground, its one of the many parks in Cabarrus County that allow dogs. Every year around September the Cabarrus county fair opens up and I've had a blast there ever since I was little. You can pass someone on the street or go to any of the local shops and people are so kind you could stop and talk to strangers all day. I am so glad my parents decided to move here from NY, it's an amazing town and there are so many things to go do, you just have to know where to look.

I've included a link to some of the amazing things that the little town of Concord NC has to offer! shorturl.at/rzBFL
Read 207 Reviews

• A-

• B+

• A

• 87,607 Population

Gastonia

• Town in North Carolina
• 131 reviews

Current Resident: I moved here from Los Angeles last October. I love it! Beautiful historic neighborhoods and historical downtown! Great restaurants, coffee shops, wine bars etc. History in abundance. Not far from the mountains and Charlotte airport can take you anywhere! Everything I need is here including wonderful people! This town is booming!
Read 131 Reviews

• B

• B

• A

• 74,381 Population

Kannapolis

• Suburb of Charlotte, NC
• 77 reviews

Current Resident: In Kannapolis, there is so much to do. In the summer, there are concerts and festivals that they do every year to bring the community together. Also, the food and shopping options in Downtown Kannapolis are amazing. My favorite place to eat there is Restaurant 46. My favorite thing to do in Kannapolis is going to the movie theatre. It's called the Gem Theatre and it was built back in 1948. Nothing has changed and It looked so cool inside. Something I would like to see change in Kannapolis is the historical side of the town. This town has so much character and restoring it back to its former glory would be great to see and show everyone in the town. Anyone who came to visit or live in Kannapolis would never be bored.
Read 77 Reviews

• B

• B-

• A

• 46,498 Population

Lexington

• Town in North Carolina
• 57 reviews

Current Resident: Lexington is a wonderful and safe place to live, however there is often not very much to do. Luckily, Lexington's close relation to bigger cities means you don't have to travel far to find things to do. Also, Lexington is world famous for its amazing barbeque!
Read 57 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A

• 18,916 Population

Angier

• Suburb of Raleigh, NC
• 14 reviews

Current Resident: Who doesn’t love a small town! Crepe myrtles line the streets and old town charm fills the few downtown shops. The town is stuck in a good ol boys club though and could use some changes in the government offices.
Read 14 Reviews

• B-

• C+

• A

• 5,151 Population

Lincolnton

• Town in North Carolina
• 36 reviews

Current Resident: I love my town. When I first moved here I was hesitant, but soon got settled in and discovered all of the shops and restaurants downtown. My personal favorite restaurant is Harvest Moon Grille. The service is great, the food is healthy and the taste is always exceptional. The Chick-Fil-A was built soon after I moved here. I currently work there now and I absolutely love it! It is only about five minutes from my house which makes it even better! I attend North Lincoln High school and my commute is very short. The school itself is great and I love all of my teachers. Overall this city is great for every age, with many job opportunities as well as the rail trail downtown for safe walking and exercise!
Read 36 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A

• 10,574 Population

Graham

• Town in North Carolina
• 29 reviews

Current Resident: Graham is a very homey town. Lots of food places and grocery stores. Very early 1900s vibe down town with the theater, coffee shops, eats, ice cream parlors, & stores. A nice planet fitness and lots of banks. Surrounding schools are great. Nice communities safe for children.
Read 29 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• A

• 14,540 Population

St. Pauls

• Town in North Carolina
• 7 reviews

Current Resident: Ive lived here for 20 years, and I can say that this town has grown so much since I have moved here! such a knit town if I'm being honest you know just about everyone.
Read 7 Reviews

• C

• C-

• A

• 1,897 Population