Chocolatier Barrucand in downtown Concord is such an accomplished French pastry and confection shop that it has even been featured in a Parisian magazine.

“Within a two-block radius in downtown Concord we have two art galleries, two live theaters, a historic ballroom, Chocolatier Barrucand, a botanical gardens, public library, a 24-hour pottery studio and fine restaurants and specialty shops,” says Diane Young, executive director of the Concord Downtown Development Corp. “It’s an amazing mix. I was recently driving downtown one Saturday night and got to the corner of Union and Cabarrus, looked down Union Street and there wasn't a parking space to be found.”

Cabarrus County offers a rich and diverse quality of life, with access to world-class arts, culture, sports and recreation, retail opportunities and lifestyle choices. There are numerous residential options, from traditional neighborhoods and small towns to open-space rural homes or family farms.

“In Kannapolis, we have apartments above downtown shops as well as historic old mill houses to rent along with $1 million homes in new developments,” says Karen Whichard, communications director for the City of Kannapolis. “And Kannapolis will always remain the home of the late NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt, who even with all the success that he achieved during his life, always kept his home in Kannapolis.”

Cabarrus County is home to five municipalities:

Concord

Concord is known for a thriving downtown district and famous attractions such as Concord Mills shopping center and Charlotte Motor Speedway. Also part of the community are scenic greenways, Lake Fisher, McGinnis Aquatics Center and several youth and adult sports leagues.

Harrisburg

This town, in southwest Cabarrus County bordering Mecklenburg County, was settled mostly by Scotch-Irish immigrants sometime between 1732 and 1765. Harrisburg is still home to several Scotch-Irish families whose ancestors arrived in the 1700s. Poised for economic growth, the town has abundant available land and an industrial park.

Kannapolis

Kannapolis, a thriving city of 43,000 residents, is the site of the North Carolina Research Campus, a $1.5 billion life sciences hub that is home to eight universities and such major corporations as General Mills and Monsanto. The Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Department schedules an annual family-friendly Summer Events Series of free concerts, live arts, library storytelling and G-rated movies each weekend.

Midland

Midland was incorporated in 2000, and is situated in southern Cabarrus County. Most residents of this small municipality are dedicated to preserving their rural quality of life. A new 190-acre park filled with trees, a large pond and a creek is being planned for Midland as a destination for the entire region.


Mount Pleasant

This town of 1,600 residents is planning for future growth, thanks to continued growth in the nearby Charlotte region. Mount Pleasant, founded in 1848, is home to the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum. The town is also located near Reed Gold Mine, where gold was first discovered in the United States.