Editing Waxhaw, North Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Waxhaw, North Carolina
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "Proud of Our Past. Passionate About Our Future."
|named_for                = [[Waxhaw people]]

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Waxhaw, downtown, building.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Waxhaw
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = NCMap-doton-Waxhaw.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Waxhaw, North Carolina
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|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        = [[Union County, North Carolina|Union]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = council-manager
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Robert Murray
|leader_title2            = City Council
| leader_name2            = {{collapsible list|bullets=yes
 | title = Members
 | 1 = Jason McCloy Hall
 | 2 = Brenda McMillon
 | 3 = Anne Simpson
 | 4 = Pedro Morey
 | 5 = Tracey Wesolek
 }}
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = 1889

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 31.65
|area_land_km2            = 31.42
|area_water_km2           = 0.23
|area_total_sq_mi         = 12.22
|area_land_sq_mi          = 12.13
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 20534
|population_density_km2   = 653.58
|population_density_sq_mi = 1692.69

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 584
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|56|11|N|80|44|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 28173
|area_code                = [[Area code 704|704]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 37-71460<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2406844<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406844}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.waxhaw.com/ waxhaw.com]
|footnotes                =

|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Waxhaw''' is an incorporated town in [[Union County, North Carolina]], United States. The population was 20,534 according to the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3771460 |website=data.census.gov |access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> The population grew 108.28% from [[2010 United States census|2010]]. The name is derived from the indigenous people who lived in the area, who were known as the [[Waxhaw people]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|11.54|sqmi|km2}}. Waxhaw's northernmost municipal boundary is located four and one-half miles south of the [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] southernmost city limit. Waxhaw is part of [[Union County, North Carolina|Union County]].
 
Waxhaw is located in the historic region called [[Waxhaws|The Waxhaws]] and both the region and the town are named after the [[indigenous peoples|indigenous]] [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] tribe who lived there prior to colonial settlement. Europeans sometimes referred to their settlements in the area as, The Waxhaw Settlement.

The town of Waxhaw is in the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region of North Carolina, which is a wooded area with rolling hills. This region is where [[gold]] was first discovered in the United States. The Howie Gold Mine is not far from the city limits. By 1935, 50,000 ounces of gold had been mined from this location.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caponigro |first1=Rocky |title=The Howie Gold Mine was in service until 1942 |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/community/south-charlotte/article9017786.html |access-date=July 1, 2020 |agency=The Charlotte Observer |publisher=The Charlotte Observer |date=October 19, 2008}}</ref> The Howie Gold mine operated until [[World War II]], when most mines were shut down due to workforce changes during the war effort.

==History==
The original inhabitants of the region were a Native American people group known alternately as either the Wysacky or the Waxhaws. The first European to record contacting the group was the Spanish [[conquistador]] [[Juan Pardo (explorer)|Juan Pardo]]. In 1711, the Waxhaw aided the British colonists of North Carolina in their war against the [[Tuscarora people|Tuscarora]], a decision that antagonized the Tuscaroras [[Iroquoian people|Iroquoian]] allies in New York,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-IiOoGJHoYC|title=The Yamasee War: A Study of Culture, Economy, and Conflict in the Colonial South|last=Ramsey|first=William L.|date=January 1, 2008|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=978-0803237445|language=en}}</ref> who subsequently began raiding the Waxhaw tribe. These raids continued until 1715, when the Waxhaw joined the [[Yamasee]] war effort against the British colony of South Carolina. The tribes involvement in the [[Yamasee War]] led to their destruction at the hands of South Carolina's Catawba allies and the freeing of their land for European settlement.

The area was first settled by colonists in the mid-eighteenth century. Most settlers were of [[Germans|German]] and [[Ulster Scots people|Scots-Irish]] origin. Settlers became subsistence farmers and were known for being independent. [[Andrew Jackson]], who later would become the seventh [[President of the United States]], was born nearby in 1767, prior to the American Revolution. There is some disagreement as to which of the Carolinas was his birthplace because of the proximity of the border between the two. However, there are historical marker signs around Waxhaw, North Carolina describing Andrew Jackson's early connection to the area. His relationship to the area also is documented at the Museum of the Waxhaws.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waxhaws |first1=Museum of the |title=President Andrew Jackson's Connection to Waxhaw |url=http://museumofthewaxhaws.org/local-history/andrew-jacksons-birthplace/ |website=museumofthewaxhaws.org/ |access-date=April 9, 2020}}</ref> [[Andrew Jackson State Park]] is minutes from downtown Waxhaw, which has a memorial and other information about [[Andrew Jackson]]<ref>Further information: [[McKamie Farmhouse]]</ref>

[[File:Waxhaw, NC, Bridge.jpg|thumb|Footbridge over the railway tracks]]
The arrival of the [[railroad]] in 1888 created access to the markets of [[Atlanta]] and helped the town reach prosperity. The railroad tracks were laid through the center of town to show the importance of the railroad system to the community. The railroad remains in the center of town and now, is bordered by a broad landscaped area that divides the rows of stores on either side.

Beginning in the late nineteenth century, the community began to develop [[cotton mill]] factories for manufacturing [[textile]]s. The railroad helped increase access for the products of this industry. Cotton manufacturing was important to the region through the 1940s. Postwar changes in the economy, with shifts of the textile industry to jobs in other areas of the country and out of the country, required the community to adapt to new conditions.

== Waxhaw Today ==
Waxhaw has evolved into an antique and fine dining center. Its Small Town Main Street committee is working on an integrated approach to developing and marketing the historic center of town. Waxhaw currently has dozens of specialty shops and dining restaurants. Restaurants located in town range from Mom-and-Pop restaurants to fine dining bistros.

The [[Waxhaw Historic District]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. It includes retail businesses as well as architecturally significant houses near the center of town. Also listed is the [[Pleasant Grove Camp Meeting Ground]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

Residents and town officials are working on additional improvement plans. In the downtown area, there is a town park and a skate park for youths. Near the skate park is a playground and a walking area connected to downtown. New housing has been built along NC 75 to the east and west of town, as well as NC 16 (Providence Road) to the north.

Near Waxhaw is Cane Creek Park, a {{convert|1050|acre|km2|adj=on}} park, featuring scenic areas and recreation activities. The facility, on Harkey Road south of Waxhaw, was a cooperative venture between Union County, the Union Conservation District, and the [[Soil Conservation Service]] of the [[U.S. Department of Agriculture]].

Currently, Waxhaw is undergoing significant suburban development and has grown by 6.4% in 2019 alone.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Matthew |title=Traffic in Charlotte hits a roadblock in the suburbs |url=https://www.ninertimes.com/opinion/traffic-in-charlotte-hits-a-roadblock-in-the-suburbs/article_ea6cc1a2-4f5e-11ea-98e0-87a895df87ff.html |access-date=March 5, 2020 |agency=Niner Times |publisher=Niner Times |date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> New developments include individual residential housing, apartments, townhouses, and commercial complexes.

Waxhaw's downtown area is built to surround the train tracks that brought prosperity to the town. The tracks are abutted with green areas and parking. Guests can walk over a historic bridge to go over the train tracks, and there is a viewing area. Also a few minutes walk away, are a skateboard park and a playground.<ref>{{cite web |title=David G Barnes Children's Park |url=https://www.waxhaw.com/417/David-G-Barnes-Childrens-Park |access-date=November 21, 2020}}</ref> Although the train doesn't follow a public schedule, viewers try to guess the times when the train will come for viewing. Sometimes a train employee will stand on the bridge.

== Government ==
Waxhaw has a town government that was incorporated in 1889. The government is council-manager in form and it is governed by a board of commissioners that consists of six members. All members are elected to four-year terms in non-partisan elections that take place in odd-numbered years. Three commission seats are up in one cycle, then two years later the other two commission seats come up for election at the same time as that of the mayor. The town is not divided into election districts and the top vote recipients win the seats of each election. Robert Murray is the current mayor of Waxhaw.<ref name="Mayor">{{cite web|url=http://www.waxhaw.com/index.aspx?nid=402|title=Mayor Ronald P Pappas|publisher=Waxhaw.com|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 752
|1910= 602
|1920= 750
|1930= 840
|1940= 611
|1950= 818
|1960= 729
|1970= 1248
|1980= 1208
|1990= 1294
|2000= 2625
|2010= 9859
|2020= 20534
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Waxhaw racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3771460&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 14,423
| 70.24%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 1,796
| 8.75%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 35
| 0.17%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 1,432
| 6.97%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 5
| 0.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 1,029
| 5.01%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 1,814
| 8.83%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 20,534 people, 4,773 households, and 4,051 families residing in the town. In the same census, the median household income was $116,964, which is more than double the North Carolina median income of $56,642

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010,<ref name="Census2010">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/3771460.html|title=Waxhaw (town) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau|publisher=[[United States Census]]|access-date=November 24, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Censusfact">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212055711/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2020|title=American FactFinder Census 2010|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> there were 9,859 people, 3,242 households, and 2,626 families residing in the town. For the [[population density]], there were 854.0 people per square mile (329.95/km<sup>2</sup>) and 3,517 housing units. As for the racial makeup of the town, there were 78.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 11.00% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.1% from two or more races, 2.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]. The [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 6.4% of the population.

There were 3,242 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of eighteen living with them, 81.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 19.0% were non-families. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the town, the population age range was from 34.6% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 20 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.5 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $73,188.<ref name=Census2010/> The [[per capita income]] for the town was $27,949. The percentage of people below the poverty line was 8.9%.

==Local schools==
===Public elementary schools===
* Kensington Elementary School
* Sandy Ridge Elementary School
* Waxhaw Elementary School
* Western Union Elementary School
* New Town Elementary School
* Rea View Elementary School
* Marvin Elementary School
* Prospect Elementary School

===Public middle schools===
* Marvin Ridge Middle School
* Parkwood Middle school
* Cuthbertson Middle School

===Public high schools===
* [[Marvin Ridge High School]]
* South Providence High School
* [[Parkwood High School]]
* [[Cuthbertson High School]]
* [[Central Academy of Technology and Arts]] (CATA)

===Private schools===
* Arborbrook Christian Academy
* Omni Montessori School
* [[Metrolina Christian Academy]]
* [[North Point Christian Academy]]

=== Charter schools ===
* Union Day Charter School
* [[Union Academy (Monroe, North Carolina)|Union Academy]]
* Apprentice Academy of North Carolina

== Library ==
The Waxhaw branch of the Union County Public Library system was founded in 1937 with the support of the Waxhaw Womens Club and the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA). The original Waxhaw Library located at 509 South Providence Street was permanently closed on March 18, 2024,<ref>{{cite web |title=Community Calendar – March 16 |url=https://enquirerjournal.com/enquirer_journal/community-calendar-march-16/article_9d05b45b-6e14-5ea7-b8a8-c61043bc7f54.html |website=The Enquirer Journal |publisher=The Enquirer Journal |access-date=19 January 2025 |language=en |date=15 March 2024}}</ref> to prepare for the new South West Regional Library which opened on April 19, 2024<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malbrough |first1=Monica |title=Southwest Regional Library to open Friday in Waxhaw |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/waxhaw/new-library-union-county-north-carolina/275-0b57defe-0f7b-4383-bfb1-b340345211a4 |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=wcnc.com |date=15 April 2024}}</ref> at 1515 Cuthbertson Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=Locations & Hours Union County, NC |url=https://www.uclnc.org/about-us/location-hours |website=www.uclnc.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Waxhaw, North Carolina}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.waxhaw.com/ Town website]
* [http://www.visitwaxhaw.com Visitor guide]

{{Union County, North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Union County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]