Located on the west side of Lake Norman, but easily accessible to Charlotte by taking Highway 16 south or Highway 73 east to Interstate 77, Denver is showing signs of new growth. Residential developers have been quick to snap up every inch of Lake Norman shoreline. SailView, an enormous waterfront community launched by the developers of South Charlotte's Ballantyne, has broken ground on half-acre home sites, with home prices soaring to more than $1 million. Retail shopping is popping up nearby. The county is the home of the Charlotte International Airport. County population: 68,400. Median household income: $44,900. Per capita income: $19,900. Single-family homes average $214,000; condos and townhomes, $132,000.

Government Links:

• Lincolnton
• Denver
• Lincoln County

Education Links:

• Lincoln County Schools
• Lincoln Campus Gaston College

Community Links:

• Charlotte Regional Partnership
• Centralina Workforce Development Board
• Chamber of Commerce
• Lincoln Medical Center
• The Lincoln Arts Council
• Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport