Living in Charlotte's Dilworth Including Sedgefield and Freedom Park
Dilworth was established in the 1890s as the first “suburb” of Charlotte, connected to the city by the state’s first streetcar.
The neighborhood is still steeped in that history. Dilworth is full of quaint historic homes beautifully renovated for the modern era. You can even still see the alleyways that horse-drawn carriages used to deliver ice, coal and milk to the back door of people’s houses, rather than the front.
Good news: Even in a city changing as rapidly as Charlotte, this neighborhood is certain to maintain its charm. Dilworth is one of six neighborhoods designated as “local historic districts,” so any new projects go through a stringent review to make sure they preserve the character of the neighborhood.
This means even the commercial district has distinctive charm: Along Dilworth’s main thoroughfare of East Boulevard, you’ll find everything from law offices to restaurants in renovated bungalows that look move-in ready.
The centerpiece of the neighborhood is Charlotte’s version of Central Park. The 98-acre Freedom Park is an oasis of green, full of joggers, bicyclists and toddlers on a sunny afternoon. But don’t sleep on Latta Park either. This small park in the heart of Dilworth is home to a splash pad that draws children from miles around come summer.
The Dilworth neighborhood is joined at the hip with one to the south — Sedgefield. In a novel experiment, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools combined the two neighborhoods’ elementary schools into one, with children spending their first three years at the Sedgefield campus before finishing up in Dilworth.
Vitals
Population: 15,014
Commute distance to Uptown: 5 minutes
Median age: 36
Median household income: $132,997
Median home sales price: $441,032
Average rent: $1,001
Things to do in Dilworth
Bonterra. This upscale American food restaurant is situated in a restored 19th-century church. Go with the fried lobster tail. Details.
Copper. Charlotte’s best Indian food is found in this renovated bungalow on East Boulevard. Details.
Paper Skyscraper. Looking for a last-minute gift? This shop has something for everyone, including books, cards and stationery. It’s fun to browse even if you’re not in the market for anything specific. Details.
Dilworth Tasting Room. This neighborhood wine bar also has dozens of remarkable cocktails. Be sure to head out to the back porch if the weather allows. Details.
Dilworth real estate
Dilworth is Charlotte’s top neighborhood for historic homes.
But don’t worry: These homes are deceptively roomy. Situated on narrow but deep lots, they tend to have smaller facades and build toward the back.
Architecturally, the homes reflect the era they were built in. The oldest were built in the 1890s in the Victorian style, but Dilworth later expanded significantly in the 1910s and again the 1920s. Thus, you’ll find a mix of colonial revival, craftsman and Tudor homes as well.
East Boulevard offers a wealth of upscale condos, as well.
Featured image by James Willamor via Flickr (Creative Commons).