Iredell County was incorporated in 1788 when it was formed from adjacent Rowan County. The county seat of Statesville, established in 1789, is approximately 45 miles north of Charlotte, and approximately 130 miles west of Raleigh, the state capital. Lake Norman, the nation’s largest manmade lake by surface area, extends into the southwest portion of the county with approximately 520 miles of shoreline. From historic Statesville, to the NASCAR racing capital of Mooresville, to the horse-back riding community of Love Valley, the cities and towns of Iredell County offer the a wide variety of experiences.