How walkable is Charlotte? It depends on which neighborhood you’re in
Walkability is an important factor for many people who are looking for a place to live.
Such communities offer benefits to physical and mental health, foster social interaction and broaden accessibility to daily needs, according to the Congress for the New Urbanism, an organization that provides resources to create “people-centered” places.
Though the Charlotte area is rapidly growing, data show that the city as a whole isn’t very walkable – but there are a few neighborhoods that are pedestrian-friendly.
How walkable is Charlotte?
Walk Score, an organization that promotes walkable neighborhoods and measures the walkability of cities in the U.S., gave Charlotte an overall walkability score of 26.4. The city received the fourth lowest score among cities included in the ranking, with Montgomery, Ala. (25.8), Fayetteville, N.C. (21.4) and Chesapeake, Va. (21.3) just behind.
For comparison, New York City – the most walkable city in the country, according to Walk Score – received a score of 88.
How are scores calculated?
Each score is calculated by analyzing hundreds of walking routes to nearby amenities. Amenities within a 5-minute walk are given maximum points.
Walk Score also measures pedestrian friendliness by analyzing population density and road metrics, such as block length and intersection density.
What makes a neighborhood walkable?
According to Walk Score, walkable neighborhoods often include:
A center, like a main street or a public space
Enough people to support businesses and public transport
Affordable housing located near businesses
Recreational features to gather and play
Buildings that are close to the street, and parking lots behind residential areas
Schools and workplaces that are in walking distance to residential areas
Streets that are designed for cyclists, pedestrians and public transit
Which neighborhoods in Charlotte are the most walkable?
The most walkable neighborhoods in Charlotte, according to Walk Score, are located in and around uptown.
These five neighborhoods in Charlotte have the highest Walk Score ratings:
Fourth Ward: 89
First Ward: 85
Second Ward: 84
Cherry: 80
Dilworth: 78
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 1:00 PM.
