Lake Norman of Catawba, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Iredell County County

4.4 /5.0
A Great
9,308 Population 386/sq mi density
$106,836 Median Income $65,368 per capita
$522,300 Home Value $545,692 Zillow
$1,246 Median Rent 26.1% income on rent
60°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$106,836 median income, 3.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$522,300 home value, $1,246/mo rent
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
42.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Lake Norman of Catawba enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.1°F
11% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation852 ft (260 m)
Area32.4 sq mi (83.8 km²)
Population Density386/sq mi
Coordinates35.5984°N, 80.9875°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyIredell County County
Nearest AirportStatesville Regional (SVH)
12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.6"
23% above US avg
Snowfall 4.9"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.78"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.15"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score80.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability16.6 / 100
Community Resilience54.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

29 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.9. Most recent: M2.7 on Aug 14, 2025.

Apr 13, 1998 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina M3.9 130 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 136 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 19 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 100 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 104 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 125 km
Mar 21, 2011 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina M2.9 136 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 88 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 127 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 144 km
Aug 14, 2025 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina M2.7 115 km
Jul 6, 2023 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia M2.7 127 km
Jul 12, 1993 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina M2.7 116 km
Aug 30, 2010 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee M2.7 119 km
Mar 21, 2004 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M2.7 97 km
Jun 10, 2018 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina M2.7 75 km
Aug 17, 2021 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina M2.7 67 km
Jul 8, 2023 Virginia-North Carolina border region M2.6 128 km
Feb 4, 2021 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina M2.6 100 km
Apr 25, 2016 6 km N of Weaverville, North Carolina M2.5 144 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

6 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Isaias (2020, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2020 Isaias Category 1 296 km
2018 Florence Category 1 296 km
2016 Matthew Category 1 296 km
2004 Charley Category 1 289 km
1996 Fran Category 3 212 km
1989 Hugo Category 2 100 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

350 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 297 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 47 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 73 km 1
May 5, 1989 EF4 56 km 4
Mar 28, 2010 EF3 91 km 0
May 8, 2008 EF3 69 km 0
May 7, 1998 EF3 72 km 0
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 50 km 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 74 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF3 87 km 0
May 22, 1985 EF3 85 km 0
May 26, 2022 EF2 39 km 0
Mar 31, 2022 EF2 88 km 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 40 km 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 61 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 86 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 40 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 29 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 58 km 0
May 24, 2017 EF2 89 km 0
Mar 3, 2012 EF2 47 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 BRUSHY RIDGE 12,405 87 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 88 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 61 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 56 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 85 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 84 km
2008 SUNRISE 1,906 90 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,879 92 km
2016 TOMBSTONE 1,747 67 km
2017 DOBSON KNOB 1,720 94 km
2016 HORTON 1,480 80 km
2021 UNNAMED 1,348 83 km
2021 UNNAMED 1,304 84 km
2020 UWH NARROWS DAM RX 1,222 85 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,149 85 km
2021 GRINDSTONE 1,106 94 km
2017 UNNAMED 1,097 75 km
1985 UNNAMED 1,064 77 km
2015 BALD KNOB 918 94 km
2007 COX CREEK FIRE 823 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 41°F (5°C) 3.7 in Coldest
February 44°F (7°C) 3.2 in Driest
March 51°F (11°C) 4.2 in
April 60°F (16°C) 3.9 in
May 68°F (20°C) 4.1 in
June 76°F (24°C) 4.2 in
July 79°F (26°C) 4.2 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 4.8 in Wettest
September 71°F (22°C) 4.0 in
October 61°F (16°C) 3.3 in
November 51°F (10°C) 3.5 in
December 43°F (6°C) 3.6 in

Lake Norman of Catawba has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.2").

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