Editing Matthews, North Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Matthews, North Carolina
| named_for                = Edward Matthews<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ncpedia.org/gazetteer/search/Matthews/0 |title= North Carolina Gazetteer |accessdate= November 24, 2023 }}</ref>
| settlement_type          = [[Town]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Matthewsbranchlibrary.jpg
| image_caption            = Matthews Town Hall and library
| image_flag               = Matthews, NC Town Flag.jpg
| image_seal               = Matthews, NC Town Seal.png
| image_map                = Mecklenburg County North Carolina Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Matthews highlighted.svg
| map_caption              = Location in Mecklenburg County and the state of North Carolina

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = John Higdon
| leader_title1            = Town Manager
| leader_name1             = Becky Hawke
| established_title        = Incorporated
| established_date         = 1879

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web |title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: North Carolina|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_37.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 19, 2025}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi         = 17.19
| area_land_sq_mi          = 17.11
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08
| area_total_km2           = 44.53
| area_land_km2            = 44.33
| area_water_km2           = 0.21

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P1?q=&g=160XX00US3741960| title=P1. Race – Matthews town, North Carolina: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>
| population_total         = 29435
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 1720.1

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 745
| coordinates              = {{coord|35|07|10|N|80|42|36|W|region:US-NC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code              = {{ubl|28105 (Matthews)|28104 ([[Stallings, North Carolina|Stallings]])}}
| area_code                = [[Area code 704|704]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 37-41960<ref>{{cite web|url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?geo_id=16000US3741960&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&_lang=en&_sse=on|title = Factfinder|publisher = census.gov|access-date = February 2, 2010|archive-url = https://archive.today/20200211183431/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?geo_id=16000US3741960&ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR3&_lang=en&_sse=on|archive-date = February 11, 2020|url-status = dead}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2406108<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406108}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|www.matthewsnc.gov}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
[[File:Downtown Matthews NC 1.jpg|thumb|Downtown Matthews, North Carolina]]
'''Matthews''' is a town in southeastern [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. It is a [[suburb]] of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. The population was 29,435 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020"/>

==History==
In the early 19th century, the new settlement that would become Matthews was unofficially named "Stumptown" for the copious amount of tree stumps left from making way for cotton farms. The community's name later changed to Fullwood, named after appointed area postmaster John Miles Fullwood. The establishment of a sawmill and the cotton and timber industry helped Fullwood change into a town. Prior to the first train arriving on December 15, 1874, Fullwood acted as a stagecoach stop between Charlotte and [[Monroe, North Carolina|Monroe]]. The town was incorporated in 1879, and was renamed Matthews in honor of Edward Matthews, who was director of the Central Carolina Railroad, which would later become the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gannett |first=Henry |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |year=1905 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n202 203]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview.aspx?id=20691&catid=563 |title=Our History - Matthews, NC |website=www.matthewsnc.gov |access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref>

According to officials, the Matthews Alive Parade, part of a celebration held for the 31st time in 2023, was the largest [[Labor Day]] parade in the [[Southeastern United States]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article278814559.html |title=4 things to know about the annual Matthews Alive Festival over the Labor Day weekend |last=Jordan |first=Chase |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Matthews is located in southeastern Mecklenburg County at {{coord|35|7|1|N|80|42|59|W|region:US-NC_type:city}} (35.116851, &minus;80.716409).<ref name="gnis" /> It is bordered to the northwest and southwest by the city of Charlotte and to the northeast by the town of [[Mint Hill, North Carolina|Mint Hill]]. It is bordered to the southeast by the town of [[Stallings, North Carolina|Stallings]] in [[Union County, North Carolina|Union County]]. [[Uptown Charlotte]] is {{convert|11|mi|0}} to the northwest of the center of Matthews.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|17.2|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|0.08|sqmi|2}}, or 0.47%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> The center of Matthews sits on a ridge which drains north toward McAlpine Creek and south toward its tributary Fourmile Creek. McAlpine Creek is a southwest-flowing tributary of [[Sugar Creek (North Carolina)|Sugar River]], which in turn flows south to meet the [[Catawba River]] in [[South Carolina]].

[[U.S. Route 74]] is the main highway through Matthews, leading northwest into Charlotte and southeast {{convert|14|mi}} to [[Monroe, North Carolina|Monroe]]. [[North Carolina Highway 51]] runs through the northern part of Matthews, leading northeast into Mint Hill and west {{convert|10|mi|0}} to [[Pineville, North Carolina|Pineville]]. [[Interstate 485]], the Charlotte Outerbelt, runs through the southern part of Matthews, with access from four interchanges.

== Demographics ==
{{US Census population
|1880= 191
|1890= 335
|1900= 378
|1910= 396
|1920= 310
|1930= 454
|1940= 486
|1950= 589
|1960= 609
|1970= 783
|1980= 1648
|1990= 13651
|2000= 22127
|2010= 27198
|2020= 29435
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Presbyterian Hospital Matthews.jpg|thumb|right|Novant Health Matthews Medical Center in Matthews]]

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Matthews racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3741960&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 20, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 20,897
| 70.99%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 3,004
| 10.21%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 71
| 0.24%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 1,400
| 4.76%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 12
| 0.04%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 1,350
| 4.59%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 2,701
| 9.18%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 29,435 people, 12,011 households, and 8,496 families residing in the town.

===2006-2008===
As of the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, there were 26,901 people, 11,349 households, and 7,904 families in the town. According to the Census Bureau of 2000, the population density was {{convert|1,557.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 138 housing units at an average density of {{convert|572.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the town was 82.3% White, 10.1% African American or Black, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.8% of other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 7,904 households, of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married/couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 19, 3.2% from 20 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 11% 65 or older. The median age was 40.3 years.

The median household income was $77,981 and the median family income  was $88,600. Males had a median income of $65,909 versus $44,665 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,250. About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

== Education ==
Matthews is in the [[Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st37_nc/schooldistrict_maps/c37119_mecklenburg/DC20SD_C37119.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mecklenburg County, NC|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}</ref><ref name=Matthewszoningmap>{{cite web|url=https://www.matthewsnc.gov/files/documents/ZoningMap1318110917121422AM.pdf|title=Town of Matthews Zoning Map|publisher=Town of Matthews|accessdate=February 14, 2023}} - Compare to school district maps.</ref> Schools in the Matthews city limits include Matthews Elementary, Crown Point Elementary, and Elizabeth Lane Elementary; Crestdale Middle; [[David W. Butler High School]].

Elementary schools serving sections of Matthews include Matthews Elementary,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10500&dataid=8604&FileName=Matthews%20ES.pdf|title=Matthews Elementary School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> Crown Point,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10500&dataid=8563&FileName=Crown%20Point%20ES.pdf|title=Crown Point Elementary School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> Elizabeth Lane,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10500&dataid=8574&FileName=Elizabeth%20Lane%20ES.pdf|title=Elizabeth Lane Elementary School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> Mint Hill Elementary in [[Mint Hill, North Carolina|Mint Hill]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10500&dataid=8608&FileName=Mint%20Hill%20Elementary.pdf|title=Mint Hill Elementary School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> and Providence Spring (outside of Matthews).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10500&dataid=8626&FileName=Providence_Spring_ES.pdf|title=Providence Spring Elementary School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref>

Much of Matthews is zoned to Crestdale Middle School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10507&dataid=8672&FileName=Crestdale_MS.pdf|title=Crestdale Middle School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> Portions of Matthews are zoned to Mint Hill Middle in Mint Hill,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10507&dataid=8686&FileName=Mint%20Hill%20MS.pdf|title=Mint Hill Middle School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> as well as South Charlotte Middle School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10507&dataid=8702&FileName=South%20Charlotte%20MS.pdf|title=South Charlotte Middle School|publisher=[[Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 18, 2023}}</ref> Most of Matthews is zoned to [[David W. Butler High School|Butler High School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10488&dataid=8532&FileName=Butler%20HS.pdf|title=Butler High School|publisher=[[Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}</ref> while portions are zoned to [[Providence High School (North Carolina)|Providence High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmsk12.org/cms/lib/NC50000755/Centricity/Domain/393/Providence_HS.pdf|title=Providence High School|publisher=[[Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools]]|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}</ref>

Public charter schools include Matthews Charter Academy, Telra Institute and Socrates Academy. Religious schools nearby include Covenant Day School, [[Charlotte Christian School]], Carmel Christian, Blessed Sacrament Academy, and Greyfriars Classical Academy.

Matthews is served by a branch of the [[Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County|Charlotte Mecklenburg Library]].<ref>{{cite web
 | title=Matthews branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
 | url=http://plcmc.org/Locations/branches.asp?id=12
 | access-date=October 25, 2008
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804185559/http://plcmc.org/Locations/branches.asp?id=12
 | archive-date=August 4, 2008
 | url-status=dead
 }}</ref> The library is located on the first floor of the Matthews Town Hall and is one of the most active in the system.

== Economy ==
Companies with headquarters in Matthews include:
* [[Family Dollar Stores]], a retail store chain<ref>{{cite web | title =Fortune 500 Companies | work = Charlotte Chamber Web Site | url =http://www.charlottechamber.com/index.php?submenu=fortune_500_members&src=gendocs&link=Fortune500Companies&category=Research | access-date = October 21, 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Harris Teeter]], a [[grocery store]] chain
* [[Pokertek]], a [[gambling|gaming]] device manufacturer

==Sports==
Matthews is home to professional soccer club [[Stumptown Athletic]], named after the suburb's nickname. It was founded in 2019 and plays in US Soccer's third division, the [[National Independent Soccer Association]]. Its home stadium is the 5,000 capacity [[Sportsplex at Matthews]].

== Notable people ==
* [[Jamar Adams]], [[NFL]] safety<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamJa20.htm Jamar Adams Stats]. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref>
* [[Tyler Barnhardt]], actor
* [[J. Curtis Blackwood Jr.]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]]<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=10290 Blackwood, Jr., J. Curtis]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref>
* [[Robert Blanton]], NFL strong safety<ref>[https://247sports.com/Player/Robert-Blanton-7866/college-23050/ Robert Blanton, Notre Dame, Safety - 247Sports]. Retrieved October 27, 2020.</ref>
* [[Jarrett Boykin]], wide receiver in both the NFL and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]
* [[Cierra Burdick]], [[WNBA]] player<ref>[http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/72378 Cierra Burdick 2011 High School Girls Basketball Profile - ESPN]. Retrieved October 27, 2020.</ref>
* [[Ty Buttrey]], [[MLB]] pitcher<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buttrty01.shtml Ty Buttrey Stats]. ''Baseball-Reference''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref>
* [[Dion Byrum]], [[American football|football]] [[cornerback]]<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ByruDi20.htm Dion Bryum Stats]. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref>
* [[Tricia Cotham]], [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]<ref>Ferris, Jennifer. (April 16, 2015) [https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2015/04/16/smoking-rule-tabled/ Smoking Rule Tabled]. ''North Carolina Health News''. Retrieved June 18, 2019.</ref>
* [[Brooklyn Decker]], model and actress best known for her appearances in the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Meck-County-Special-Olympians-to-represent-NC-in-national-tourney-98573069.html |title=Mecklenburg County Special Olympians to represent NC in national tourney &#124; WCNC.com Charlotte |access-date=July 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309041436/http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Meck-County-Special-Olympians-to-represent-NC-in-national-tourney-98573069.html |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Jahwan Edwards]], football [[running back]]
* [[Ikem Ekwonu]], NFL offensive tackle for the [[Carolina Panthers]]
* [[Riley Ferguson]], football [[quarterback]]
* [[Jim Gulley]], member of the North Carolina General Assembly<ref>Henderson, Bruce. (May 21, 2014). [https://www.heraldonline.com/latest-news/article11559323.html Former N.C. Rep. Jim Gulley dies]. ''The Herald''. Retrieved October 27, 2020.</ref>
* [[Tomas Hilliard-Arce]], professional [[Association football|soccer]] player<ref>[https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/tomas-hilliard-arce Tomas Hillard-Arce | MLSsoccer.com]. Retrieved October 28, 2020.</ref>
* [[Darius Kilgo]], NFL defensive tackle and two-time [[Super Bowl]] champion
* [[Jordan Lloyd]], winner of the reality TV show ''[[Big Brother 11 (U.S.)|Big Brother 11]]''<ref>{{cite web|last = Yates|first = James|date = September 16, 2009|title = 'Big Brother 11': Jordan Lloyd wins, goes on CBS 'Early Show'|work =  Staten Island Advance|publisher =  Advance Publications|url = http://www.silive.com/entertainment/tvfilm/index.ssf/2009/09/big_brother_11_jordan_lloyd_wi.html|access-date = September 16, 2009}}</ref> and contestant on ''[[Big Brother 13 (U.S.)|Big Brother 13]]'' and ''[[The Amazing Race 16]]''
* [[Jennifer Loven]], journalist, former [[White House]] press correspondent for the [[Associated Press]] (AP)
* [[Alex Maughan]], [[Major League Rugby|MLR]] rugby forward [[Rugby ATL]]
* [[Kenneth Moore (American football)|Kenneth Moore]], NFL wide receiver<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b82d20 David W. Butler (Matthews, NC) Alumni Pro Stats]. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved October 27, 2020.</ref>
* [[Jerry Reary]], NASCAR driver
* [[Channing Stribling]], football cornerback

== Sister cities ==
Matthews is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with:
*{{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Sainte-Maxime]], [[Var (department)|Var]], France

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Matthews, North Carolina}}
{{Wikivoyage|Matthews}}
* {{Official|www.matthewsnc.gov}}
* [http://www.matthewschamber.com/ Matthews Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050414151904/http://www.orgsites.com/nc/mhf/ Matthews Historical Foundation]

{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}
{{Mecklenburg County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Matthews, North Carolina| ]]