Tucked into Belmont, North Carolina, Redhawk is a newer Lennar-built community of single-family homes and townhomes at 1555 Swallow Tail Dr, Belmont, NC 28012. For young families, it's a rare mix: brand-new construction, resort-style amenities and a school assignment that parents get excited about, all about 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte. Below, we'll walk you through how the neighborhood feels, what the homes are like, where neighbors gather and what your commute will look like.
Is Redhawk a Good Neighborhood for Young Families?
Absolutely. Redhawk is one of the most family-friendly new-construction communities in the Belmont area. The streets are quiet and residential. Playgrounds and pools are right on site. And the school assignment includes two schools rated 10/10 by GreatSchools. There's one area worth a closer look, Belmont's safety numbers, and we cover those honestly below.
What Does Day-to-Day Life Feel Like in Redhawk?
In a word: welcoming. Redhawk feels clean, modern and friendly, with newly built, mostly residential streets that don't carry through-traffic. Stop by on a weekday evening and you'll likely see strollers rolling along the walking trails, kids zipping around on scooters and neighbors catching up by the playground.
The shared amenities are what really bring people together. Between the clubhouse, the pools and the sport courts, families tend to meet each other fast. Plenty of casual afternoons at the pool have turned into standing playdates.
Belmont itself has earned a strong reputation too. It's ranked among the Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family in North Carolina and the Top 5 Most Diverse Small Towns in NC. The population grew from 15,010 in 2020 to an estimated 16,700 in 2026, roughly 10% growth, yet the town has held on to its small-city charm.
Which Schools Serve Redhawk?
Here's something we've noticed when touring Redhawk with parents: schools almost always come up before kitchen finishes do. Here's the current Gaston County Schools assignment for the community:
•Elementary: New Hope Elementary School, rated 10/10 by GreatSchools
•Middle: Cramerton Middle School, rated 10/10 by GreatSchools
•High: Stuart W. Cramer High School, rated 5/10 by GreatSchools
That's a big deal. Very few Belmont-area communities feed into two top-rated schools for both the elementary and middle years. Here's how these schools stack up against others families often ask us about:
Belmont School Ratings by Level
GreatSchools ratings for Belmont-area elementary, middle and high schools shown as a straightforward single-metric comparison on a 1–10 scale.
Elementary
Middle
High
| Series | Label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | New Hope Elementary School | 10 |
| Elementary | North Belmont Elementary School | 8 |
| Elementary | Catawba Heights Elementary School | 6 |
| Elementary | Belmont Central Elementary School | 5 |
| Middle | Cramerton Middle School | 10 |
| Middle | Belmont Middle School | 5 |
| High | South Point High School | 8 |
| High | Stuart W. Cramer High School | 5 |
| High | Forestview High School | 4 |
A couple of practical tips:
•Confirm zoning for your specific address. School boundaries can and do change.
•Keep the county context in mind. Gaston County Schools serves about 35,144 students across 58 public schools, with an average school ranking of 6/10. Against that backdrop, Redhawk's elementary and middle assignment really shines.
There's more good news. Graduation rates across Gaston County have climbed steadily over the long term:
Gaston County Graduation Rate Trend
Four-year cohort graduation rates have generally improved over the long term, reaching 90.1% in 2026.
| Series | Label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| General | 2006 | 68.1% |
| General | 2007 | 71.2% |
| General | 2008 | 72.3% |
| General | 2009 | 70% |
| General | 2010 | 72% |
| General | 2011 | 75.4% |
| General | 2012 | 77.8% |
| General | 2013 | 81.2% |
| General | 2014 | 83.5% |
| General | 2015 | 86.3% |
| General | 2016 | 88% |
| General | 2017 | 88.3% |
| General | 2018 | 85.6% |
| General | 2019 | 84.8% |
| General | 2020 | 88% |
| General | 2021 | 86.5% |
| General | 2022 | 85.2% |
| General | 2023 | 85.3% |
| General | 2024 | 86.7% |
| General | 2025 | 88.8% |
| General | 2026 | 90.1% |
Is Redhawk Safe for Kids?
Here's the straightforward answer. Violent crime in Belmont is in line with state and national levels. Property crime runs higher than average. It's worth knowing, and with a few easy habits it's very manageable.
Key numbers for Belmont as a whole:
•Violent crime: 3.74 per 1,000 residents, compared with 3.76 statewide and a national median of 4. Belmont recorded 0 murders in the reported period.
•Property crime: 27.67 per 1,000 residents, compared with 19.68 statewide and a national median of 18. Most of that is theft (382 reports) rather than burglary (39 reports).
•Statewide trend: North Carolina reports declines from early 2025 to early 2026 in burglary (-14.2%), larceny/theft (-9.8%) and motor vehicle theft (-22.6%).
Crime Rate Benchmarks: Belmont vs. NC vs. National Median
Violent crime rates are close to state and national benchmarks, while property crime rates are higher in Belmont than the comparison benchmarks shown.
Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 residents
Property Crime Rate per 1,000 residents
| Series | Label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | Belmont | 3.74 |
| Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | North Carolina | 3.76 |
| Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | National Median | 4 |
| Property Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | Belmont | 27.67 |
| Property Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | North Carolina | 19.68 |
| Property Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | National Median | 18 |
Keep in mind that these are citywide figures. They include busy commercial corridors and don't zero in on Redhawk's quiet residential streets. For families, peace of mind comes down to a few simple habits:
•Park in your garage.
•Keep bikes and strollers inside.
•Consider adding a video doorbell.
Most of the theft risk in Belmont-area data is exactly the kind these small steps prevent.
What Types of Homes Are in Redhawk?
Redhawk is made up of newer single-family homes and townhomes built by Lennar. Across the community, homes range from about 1,631 to 2,649 sq ft, with 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 to 3.5 bathrooms. Prices start in the low $300s with the townhomes.
low $300sStarting Price
Redhawk by Lennar Community Snapshot
A concise development card for the Redhawk community, separating community-wide specs from townhome-specific data and omitting unsupported garage claims.
StatusNow Selling
Community Square Feet Range1,631 - 2,649 sq ft
Bedrooms3 - 4
Bathrooms2 - 3.5
Estimated Available Floor Plans17
Home TypeSingle Family Homes & Townhomes
Townhome Square Footage1,631-1,708 sqft
Community AmenitiesPool, clubhouse, trails, playground, dog park, pickleball / tennis
What Architectural Style Are Redhawk Homes?
Think clean, modern-traditional, the look you'll see across much of Charlotte-area new construction. Exteriors feature brick accents, fiber cement and hardboard siding.
Busy parents will appreciate that these materials are durable and low-maintenance. Fiber cement in particular stands up well to Carolina summers, when highs reach the low to mid 90s.
How Big Are the Lots in Redhawk?
Typical lots run about 0.13 to 0.14 acres. They aren't sprawling, but they give you:
•A private backyard with room for a swing set, a patio or a small garden
•Less weekend yard work than a bigger lot would demand
And the shared spaces more than make up the difference. With trails, playgrounds, two pools and a dog park just down the street, your backyard doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting.
What Floor Plans Are Available in Redhawk?
Buyers can choose from an estimated 17 floor plans across the community.
Single-family homes
•3 to 4 bedrooms, with open-concept layouts made for family life
•Up to about 2,649 sq ft from the builder, with resale listings reported as large as about 2,801 sq ft
•Recent resale examples include 1644 Swallow Tail Dr at $511,999, 1215 Widgeon Way at $530,000 and 1133 Coopers Ct at $415,000
Redhawk Townes (townhomes)
•A great starting point for first-time buyers
•3 bedrooms, 1,631 to 1,708 sq ft, priced from $300,000 to $325,999
•The Abbey plan starts at $319,999+ and the Carlton plan at $325,999+
•Quick move-in homes on Nighthawk Way and Eagle Ridge Dr have been listed around $300,000 to $308,000
•Estimated mortgage of about $1,922/mo
What Is the Redhawk Housing Market Like Right Now?
Verified MLS figures for Redhawk alone aren't available, so citywide Belmont data gives us the best read on the market. As of October 2026, Belmont homes averaged $228/sq ft with a median of 62 days on market.
That's good news for buyers. Homes aren't flying off the shelf, so families shopping this fall may have breathing room to compare options. Be sure to ask about builder incentives on new homes and seller concessions on resales.
Belmont Housing Market Snapshot: October 2026
Citywide headline metrics for Belmont, useful context for Redhawk buyers without relying on unsupported neighborhood-only MLS figures.
Citywide Indicators
Median listing price$512,750
Median sold price$530,000
Price per sq ft$228/sq ft
Active listings415
Median days on market62 days
Median rent$2,047/mo
Property taxes: Belmont's combined property tax rate is $1.054 per $100 of assessed value, made up of 59.9 cents for Gaston County plus 45.5 cents for the City of Belmont. On a $300,000 assessment, that works out to roughly $3,160 a year. Taxes are assessed based on ownership as of January 1.
Where Do Families Gather in Redhawk?
Much of Redhawk's social life happens right inside the neighborhood, at the clubhouse, the pools, the playground and along the trails. When it's time for an outing, families head into historic downtown Belmont or to one of the nearby green spaces.
What Amenities Does the Redhawk Community Offer?
Residents enjoy:
•Two pools, the go-to summer hangout
•A clubhouse for community events and birthday parties
•A playground that fills up with the after-school crowd
•Walking trails perfect for strollers and evening strolls
•Bocce, tennis and pickleball courts
•A dog park
•Golf homesites for buyers who'd love a view of green space
Where Do Redhawk Families Shop and Eat Nearby?
Everyday errands stay close to home. For weekend produce, lots of families swing by The Produce Barn , which holds a 4.8-star rating. When nobody wants to cook, RayNathan's is a local favorite for an easy family dinner.
Historic downtown Belmont is just a short trip away. Its walkable streets, local shops and community events give the whole area its small-town heart.
What Parks and Outdoor Spots Are Near Redhawk?
•Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden spans 380 acres. Admission is $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 2 to 12.
•Rocky Branch Park offers a 1.2-mile trail.
•The US National Whitewater Center, about 10 miles away, is a favorite for active family weekends.
How Is the Commute from Redhawk to Charlotte?
Most Redhawk residents commute by car via I-85. In normal traffic, Uptown Charlotte is about 18 to 25 minutes away, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is roughly 15 minutes out.
What Highways Serve Redhawk?
I-85 is your main route, linking Belmont directly to Charlotte and the wider region. Typical drive times:
Data Table
| Destination | Distance | Typical Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Uptown Charlotte | ~15 miles | 18 to 25 minutes |
| Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) | ~7 miles | ~15 minutes |
| South End | n/a | Under 25 minutes |
| US National Whitewater Center | ~10 miles | Short drive |
Is There Train or Light Rail Access from Redhawk?
No. Belmont doesn't currently have commuter rail or light rail service, and Charlotte's LYNX light rail doesn't extend into Gaston County.
If you're moving from a transit-heavy city, plan on driving. The upside? Being this close to the airport is a real perk for parents who travel for work. And many of our clients tell us a 20-minute drive is a fair trade for more space, a newer home and stronger school assignments than they could afford closer to Uptown.
Why Do Charlotte-Area Families Choose Redhawk?
Compared with Charlotte's inner neighborhoods, Redhawk offers:
•New single-family homes and townhomes starting in the low $300s
•A 10/10 elementary and middle school assignment
•Resort-style amenities built right into the community
•A commute to Uptown of under half an hour
Belmont's local economy is healthy too, with an unemployment rate of 3.2% compared with the 4.9% national average.
Picturing your family in Redhawk? We'd love to walk the neighborhood with you, help you compare floor plans and resales, and confirm school zoning for any address before you make an offer. Give the team a call at (704) 900-2535.
