Charlotte’s 10 most popular ZIP codes suggest homeowners want a small-town feel with access to big-city amenities.

Why it matters: Homeowners are moving out of city centers and into the suburbs, says Opendoor’s national head of brokerage, Chelsea Goyer.

• “It’s no surprise to see these ZIPs on our list, as they’re all in desirable areas and have experienced significant growth over the last few years,” Goyer said.

What’s happening: 28078 in Huntersville came in as the hottest ZIP code in the Charlotte area, according to a new report from Opendoor.

• To put Huntersville’s rapid growth in perspective, 28078 ranked 10th in last year’s Opendoor report.

The latest top ZIP codes were ranked by total homes that went into contract within 90 days of listing in 2022 using data from Canopy MLS:

1. 28078 – Huntersville

2. 28269 – North Charlotte

3. 28173 – Waxhaw

4. 28277 – South Charlotte/Ballantyne

5. 29707 – Fort Mill

6. 28027 – Concord

7. 28215 – East Charlotte

8. 28205 – Plaza Midwood, Country Club Heights, Eastland, Villa Heights, NoDa

9. 28214 – West Charlotte, Wildwood, Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road area

10. 28110 – Monroe

What they’re saying: These ZIP codes all share a common theme, said Goyer. “They’re in areas that have seen rapid growth over the past few years with new restaurants, businesses, retail, and good schools.”

• Homeowners desire a sense of belonging in areas accessible to major metros via short commutes (less than 30 minutes).

By the numbers: One-third of people across the U.S. said they would relocate for a lifestyle change, according to data from Opendoor. 

• These lifestyle changes could include being closer to outdoor and recreational activities and joining a close-knit community.

The intrigue: Charlotte’s most popular ZIP codes, such as Huntersville, seem to check those boxes, Goyer noted.

Zoom in: Huntersville is a 15-minute drive from Uptown.

• The town itself has no shortage of attractions for families, including Discovery Place Kids, Birkdale Village, a greenway, and multiple local cafes and coffee shops.

• Plus, it’s close to Lake Norman.

What’s next: We should be keeping an eye on emerging ZIP codes, such as those that ranked 11-20 in the list, Goyer says.

These include:

11. 28278 – Lake Wylie area

12.  29732 – Rock Hill

13. 28117 – Mooresville

14. 28227 – Mint Hill

15. 28210 – South Charlotte, SouthPark, Quail Hollow, Beverly Woods

16. 28025 – Concord

17. 29715 – Fort Mill

18. 29720 – Lancaster, S.C.

19. 28115 – Morresville

20. 29730 – Rock Hill

The bottom line: Charlotteans want a small-town feel while remaining close to a bustling downtown for entertainment, shopping and dining.

They also want to stray a bit from city centers, but “not too far away,” Goyer notes.

• Consequently, we should expect to see these top 10 ZIPs continue to show strong growth.