City of Locust, North Carolina

A City With a Soul

186 Ray Kennedy Drive Locust, NC 28097    704-888-5260

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • About Locust
    • History
    • Demographics
    • Places to Live
    • Education
    • Area Map
    • Doing Business in Locust
    • Business Directory
  • Government
    • Mayor’s Office
    • Locust City Council
    • Administration Department
    • Council Meeting Minutes
    • ABC Board
    • Planning Board
    • Zoning Ordinances
  • Departments
    • Administration Department
    • Finance Department
      • Budget
    • Parks/Recreation
      • Parks Department
      • Parks & Recreation – Master Plan
      • Park News & Events
      • Christmas Parade
      • Sports
      • Locust Farmers’ Market
      • Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
      • Facilities/Map
      • Reserve a Facility
    • Planning/Zoning
      • Planning Board
      • Contact the Planning/Zoning Director
      • Land Use Plan
      • Land Development Ordinance
      • Code of Ordinances
      • Residential Zoning Application
      • Commercial Zoning Application
      • Current Projects
      • Residential Development Process
      • Chapter 160D: Land Development Ordinance Update
    • Police Department
      • Locust Police Department
      • News & Press Releases
      • Newsletters
      • Neighborhood Watch
      • Annual Crime Statistics
      • Monthly Crime Statistics
      • Resources
      • Officers & Staff
    • Public Works
      • City Beautification Resources Division
      • Facility Resources Division
      • Solid Waste Resources Division
      • Fleet Resources Division
      • Transportation Resources Division
      • Wastewater Resources Division
        • System Development Fees
  • Residents
    • Library
    • Museum
    • YMCA Senior Center
    • Pay Your Utility Bill
    • Report a Concern
    • Zoning Ordinances
    • Residential Zoning Application
    • Sports
    • New to Locust
    • Business Directory
  • Business
    • Doing Business in Locust
    • Pay Your Utility Bill
    • Commercial Zoning Application
    • Zoning Ordinances
    • Business License Application
    • Report a Concern
    • Business Directory
  • Calendar
  • News/Events
    • City News/Events
    • Park News & Events
    • Christmas Parade
  • Contact
    • Staff Directory
    • Non-Emergency Contacts
    • Report a Concern

Doing Business in Locust

Why Locust?

Located in Stanly and Cabarrus Counties, the City of Locust is located in a prime location for residential and commercial growth. Our close proximity to I-485, Hwy 24/27, Hwy 601 and Hwy 200 allows Locust residents easy and convenient access to the Charlotte International, Stanly County, and Concord Regional Airports, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Concord Mills Mall, and much more within a short drive!

Locust offers a wide range of public services including: public safety, parks & recreation, solid waste & recycling, and sewer utility. Our residents also enjoy many amenities such as our athletic complex, Town Center, Locust library and more. Visit Locust today to discover what makes our community a wonderful place to live, work and play.

To learn more about Locust’s demographics and our market’s opportunities, please refer to our Retail Strategies – Retail Academy Report

Locust Population Trends

According to the United States Census Burau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimate Tables, the City of Locust’s estimated population from April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 increased from 4,543 to 5,854 representing a 28.86% increase in population for this period. According to this data, Locust is the 7th fastest growing municipality in the State of North Carolina during this time period.

In August 9, 2017, the UNC Carolina Population Center – Carolina Demography highlighted Locust in an article entitled “Population Growth for Some Unlikely North Carolina Municipalities” In the article, the UNC Carolina Population Center described Locust’s 3.5 % growth rate from July 2015 to July 2016 as “among the fastest-growing places in the state.”

Between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2023, the City of Locust issued permits for 1,106 new single family homes, 234 apartment units, and more than 100 commercial permits.

 *2024 housing permits through September 30, 2024*

Locust Traffic Counts

In 2005 the North Carolina Department of Transportation widened Hwy 24/27 from a 2-lane highway to a 4-lane highway. Since then, almost 10,000 new vehicles per day travel through Locust via Hwy 24/27. As of 2019, approximately 28,500 vehicles per day travel through Locust via Hwy 24/27. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration, “it has long been observed that [vehicle traffic] and economic growth appear to be correlated.” NCDOT estimates that daily traffic on Hwy 24/27 by the year 2040 will be approximately 40,000 vehicles. For more information on Locust’s traffic patterns and traffic counts, please visit the NCDOT AADT Mapping Application webpage

Variety of Commercial/Industrial Property Available in Locust, NC

A variety of development sites and distribution, office, manufacturing and retail buildings are available in Locust.

Grow Locust Town Center With Us!

With new retail, food establishments, events and services coming to Locust each year, Locust Town Center is emerging as a commercial and community hub for Locust residents and the surrounding communities in Stanly County.

Interested in Investing in Locust, NC?

Make an appointment today to speak to City officials that can help you answer questions about Locust and Stanly/Cabarrus Counties. We thank you for your interest in Locust, and we look forward to working with you!

Contact Us

City Hall Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Physical Address:
186 Ray Kennedy Drive, Locust, NC 28097

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 190, Locust, NC 28097

Phone:
704-888-5260

Fax:
704-888-1566

Copyright © 2025 · City of Locust, North Carolina · 704-888-5260
website design by M Design Group, Inc.
Privacy Policy · Terms of Use