How dark is the sky in Lincolnton, NC?

Satellite radiance puts Lincolnton in the suburban band. Light dome dominates much of the sky. Only the brightest stars and planets stand out clearly. Lincolnton's sky is brighter than 78.5% of the 3,206 cities in this dataset.

Worth remembering: this is satellite radiance, not a ground observation. A true Bortle rating needs a human eye at night, this is the closest large-scale substitute.

The nearest darker sky to Lincolnton

The closest place in this dataset with a meaningfully darker sky is Newton, NC, roughly 13 miles away in a straight line, rated suburban edge. Road distance will be more.

Newton, NC is itself still a measured city, not a designated dark-sky park, this only compares against the 3,206 places this dataset covers.

Lincolnton against the rest of the dataset

Lincolnton, NC has a population of about 12,353, one of 3,206 US cities of 10,000 or more residents in this dataset. Among all 3,206 cities here, Lincolnton ranks 2,505 from darkest to brightest, 1 being the darkest measured.