Where is Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Kannapolis Located? - Kannapolis is a city located in the Cabarrus, Rowan County of North Carolina, United States. Kannapolis lies between 35.0694767 Degrees North latitudes and 108.8484168 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Kannapolis, North Carolina

Where is Kannapolis, North Carolina

Kannapolis Map, North Carolina, USA

Where is Kannapolis?: The Google Map showing the location of Kannapolis in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

Where is Kannapolis Located?

Kannapolis is a city located in the Cabarrus, Rowan County of North Carolina, United States. Kannapolis lies between 35.0694767 Degrees North latitudes and 108.8484168 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Kannapolis city is 53114 people and the city has a total area of 32.61 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Kannapolis, North Carolina Quick Facts

PropertyDetails
CityKannapolis
CountyCabarrus County and Rowan County
StateNorth Carolina
State CapitalRaleigh
US RegionSouth
Latitude35.4874° N
Longitude80.6217° W
Elevation846 ft (258 m)
Land Area32.30 sq mi
Water Area0.30 sq mi
Total Area32.60 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)53,114
Population DensityAbout 1,645 per sq mi
ZIP Codes28081, 28082, 28083
Area Code704, 980
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−05:00)
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−04:00)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code37-35200
Congressional District8th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Kannapolis

CategoryDetails
Airport NameConcord-Padgett Regional Airport (nearest); Charlotte Douglas International Airport (major airport)
IATA CodeUSA (Concord), CLT (Charlotte)
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysI-85, US 29, NC 3, NC 73
Train/Amtrak ServiceKannapolis Amtrak Station (Carolinian & Piedmont)
Local Bus/Transit ServiceKannapolis Rider Transit (KRT) and Concord Kannapolis Area Transit (CK Rider)
  • Interstate 85 provides direct access to Charlotte, Greensboro, and other major cities in North Carolina.
  • US Highway 29 serves as an important local and regional transportation corridor.
  • North Carolina Highway 3 connects Kannapolis with Mooresville and surrounding communities.
  • The Kannapolis Amtrak Station offers daily Carolinian and Piedmont passenger rail service.
  • CK Rider and Kannapolis Rider Transit provide public transportation throughout the city and neighboring areas.

Top Places to Visit in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Landmark NameType
North Carolina Research CampusResearch & Innovation Center
Village ParkCity Park
Atrium Health BallparkBaseball Stadium
Dale Earnhardt Tribute PlazaMonument
Gem TheatreHistoric Theater
Curb Museum for Music and MotorsportsMuseum
Kannapolis Recreation ParkRecreation Area
Frank Liske ParkRegional Park
Vietnam Veterans ParkMemorial Park
Downtown KannapolisEntertainment District

Driving Distances from Kannapolis, North Carolina to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
ConcordNorth Carolina815 min
SalisburyNorth Carolina1015 min
China GroveNorth Carolina610 min
MooresvilleNorth Carolina1725 min
HuntersvilleNorth Carolina2230 min
CharlotteNorth Carolina2835 min
StatesvilleNorth Carolina3540 min
LexingtonNorth Carolina3240 min
AlbemarleNorth Carolina3445 min
GreensboroNorth Carolina661 hr 10 min

Colleges and Universities in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College – North CampusPublicCommunity CollegeTechnical education, workforce development, and transfer programs
Cabarrus College of Health SciencesPrivateCollegeHealthcare and nursing education
University of North Carolina at CharlottePublicUniversityResearch university located nearby in Charlotte
Livingstone CollegePrivateCollegeHistorically Black liberal arts college in nearby Salisbury
Catawba CollegePrivateCollegeLiberal arts and undergraduate education

Waterbodies in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Kannapolis is situated near several lakes, rivers, and creeks that support recreation and local ecosystems. Prominent waterbodies include Irish Buffalo Creek, Rocky River, Lake Fisher, Lake Concord, Coddle Creek Reservoir, High Rock Lake, Lake Norman, and Mountain Creek.

Golf Courses in Kannapolis

Golf enthusiasts have access to several quality courses in and around Kannapolis, including The Club at Irish Creek, Rocky River Golf Club, Warrior Golf Club, Corbin Hills Golf Club, Mooresville Golf Club, and Skybrook Golf Club.

Kannapolis, North Carolina — Key Historical Facts

  • Kannapolis was established in 1906 when textile entrepreneur James William Cannon founded Cannon Mills, which became one of the world's largest towel and textile manufacturers.
  • The city grew rapidly as a classic American mill town, with Cannon Mills serving as the primary employer for much of the twentieth century.
  • In the late twentieth century, the decline of the textile industry led to significant economic changes and redevelopment efforts.
  • The North Carolina Research Campus, opened in 2008, transformed Kannapolis into a nationally recognized center for biotechnology, nutrition, and health research.
  • Today, Kannapolis continues to revitalize its downtown while expanding research, education, healthcare, and recreational opportunities.

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