Cabarrus County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cabarrus County
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Old Cabarrus County Courthouse
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| Motto(s):
"America Thrives Here"
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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 North Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| Founded | 1792 | ||||
| Named for | Stephen Cabarrus | ||||
| Seat | Concord | ||||
| Largest community | Concord | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 363.93 sq mi (942.6 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 361.23 sq mi (935.6 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 2.70 sq mi (7.0 km2) 0.74% | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 225,804 | ||||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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240,016 | ||||
| • Density | 625.10/sq mi (241.35/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||||
| Congressional districts | 8th, 12th | ||||
Cabarrus County is a county in the south-central part of North Carolina, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 225,804 people lived here, making it the 9th most populated county in North Carolina. The main town and county seat is Concord, which became a town in 1803. Cabarrus County is part of the larger Charlotte metropolitan area, which includes cities like Charlotte and Gastonia.
Something amazing happened in Cabarrus County in 1799: the first confirmed gold discovery in America! A young boy named Conrad Reed found gold in Little Meadow Creek. This led to the creation of the Reed Gold Mine, which is now a very important historical site. This discovery even caused a "gold rush" in the early 1800s.
In the past, people mostly farmed here. Later, textile mills (factories that make cloth) started to appear. One special mill, the Coleman Manufacturing Company, began in 1897. It's believed to be the first cotton mill in the country built, owned, and run by African Americans. It was a big step for economic fairness. Textile making was a huge part of the local economy for many years.
Contents
A Look Back: Cabarrus County's Story
Cabarrus County was officially created on December 29, 1792. It was formed from a part of Mecklenburg County. The county was named after Stephen Cabarrus, who was a leader in the North Carolina government.
Early Settlers and the Founding of Concord
Before European settlers arrived, the Catawba Indians lived in this area. Around 1750, many new people moved here. Germans settled mostly on the eastern side, and Scotch-Irish people settled in the western part.
When it was time to choose a spot for the county government, both groups wanted it near their own communities. They couldn't agree! Stephen Cabarrus wrote to them, asking them to work together peacefully. In 1796, they finally chose a central location. They named it Concord, which means "with peace" in French, to celebrate their agreement. The town of Concord officially started in 1806.
The First Gold Discovery in America
The first confirmed gold discovery in the United States happened in Cabarrus County in 1799. A young boy named Conrad Reed found a huge piece of gold, about the size of a shoe and weighing 17 pounds, while playing in Little Meadow Creek.
Conrad's father, John Reed, didn't know what it was worth. He sold it for only $3.50! Later, he found out the buyer sold it for thousands of dollars. John Reed then insisted on getting more money. This discovery quickly led to the start of gold mining in the area.
John Reed was a Hessian soldier who came to America with the British army during the American Revolution. He left the army and settled in North Carolina around 1787, becoming a farmer.
Reed first found gold by looking in the creek (called placer mining). Later, he started digging underground mines. He became very rich from the gold. His mine became famous as Reed's Gold Mine. So much gold was found in North Carolina that the U.S. government built the Charlotte Mint to turn the gold into money.
Today, the Reed Gold Mine is a National Historic Landmark. You can visit the site and even explore some of the old mine tunnels that have been rebuilt. Gold was mined in North Carolina until the early 1900s.
The "Black Boys of Cabarrus"
Before the American Revolution, some people in North Carolina were against the taxes and fees from the British government. In 1771, a group of men from what would become Cabarrus County took action. They were part of North Carolina's Regulator Movement.
On May 9, 1771, these men, including the White brothers, disguised themselves. They went to a British military camp and set off an explosion that destroyed wagons of gunpowder and other supplies. Some of the men wore Native American disguises, while others blackened their faces with gunpowder. This earned them the name "Black Boys of Cabarrus." These brave young patriots stayed active and hidden until America declared its independence.
Important Historic Places
The old Cabarrus County Courthouse was finished in 1876. It's an important building and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Another important site is the Coleman-Franklin-Cannon Mill. This mill is famous for being the first cotton mill owned and run by African Americans. It also shows how textile factories changed over many years.
The Bethel Church Arbor is also on the National Register. It's an old outdoor structure used for large religious gatherings called "camp meetings" back in the 1800s. The current structure was built around 1878.
Farming and Factories
Cabarrus County was mostly a farming area, though some large cotton farms existed. By 1860, about one-third of the population were enslaved African Americans. The first cotton mill was built as early as 1839. More mills appeared after the American Civil War, especially when railroads came to the area.
African American businessmen, like Warren Clay Coleman from Concord and John C. Dancy from Wilmington, worked together to create the Coleman Manufacturing Company in 1897. They built and ran what is believed to be the first cotton mill in the nation owned by Black people. Their goal was to help Black communities become more financially secure. While Black people worked in tobacco factories, they were often not allowed to work in white-owned textile mills.
Today, the economy of Cabarrus County is much more diverse, meaning it has many different types of businesses, not just farming or textiles.
Geography: Where Cabarrus County Is
Cabarrus County covers about 364 square miles. Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.
The county is located in the gently rolling hills of the Carolina Piedmont region. There are no very tall mountains here. The land generally slopes toward the southeast. No large rivers flow through the county, but the Rocky River is the longest waterway within the county.
The weather is usually mild, with hot summers and cool winters. Sometimes there are thunderstorms in summer or ice and snow in winter. On average, the county gets about 4 inches of snow and 46 inches of rain each year.
Parks and Natural Areas
- Buffalo Creek Preserve
- Reed Gold Mine
- Pharr Family Preserve Trail
Nearby Counties
- Rowan County – north
- Stanly County – east
- Union County – south
- Mecklenburg County – west-southwest
- Iredell County – north
People of Cabarrus County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 5,094 | — | |
| 1810 | 6,158 | 20.9% | |
| 1820 | 7,248 | 17.7% | |
| 1830 | 8,810 | 21.6% | |
| 1840 | 9,259 | 5.1% | |
| 1850 | 9,747 | 5.3% | |
| 1860 | 10,546 | 8.2% | |
| 1870 | 11,954 | 13.4% | |
| 1880 | 14,964 | 25.2% | |
| 1890 | 18,142 | 21.2% | |
| 1900 | 22,456 | 23.8% | |
| 1910 | 26,240 | 16.9% | |
| 1920 | 33,730 | 28.5% | |
| 1930 | 44,331 | 31.4% | |
| 1940 | 59,393 | 34.0% | |
| 1950 | 63,783 | 7.4% | |
| 1960 | 68,137 | 6.8% | |
| 1970 | 74,629 | 9.5% | |
| 1980 | 85,895 | 15.1% | |
| 1990 | 98,935 | 15.2% | |
| 2000 | 131,063 | 32.5% | |
| 2010 | 178,011 | 35.8% | |
| 2020 | 225,804 | 26.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 240,016 | 34.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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In 2020, there were 225,804 people living in Cabarrus County. This included about 68,798 households and 51,217 families.
The people living in Cabarrus County come from many different backgrounds. The largest group is White (non-Hispanic), followed by Black or African American (non-Hispanic), and then Hispanic or Latino. There are also many Asian, Native American, and other groups.
Most people in the county follow Protestant Christian faiths. There is also a small Jewish synagogue and two Catholic churches. Other religious groups like Eastern Orthodox and Islamic congregations can be found in nearby Charlotte.
Getting Around and Staying Connected
Major highways like Interstate 85 and U.S. Routes 29, 52, and 601 pass through Cabarrus County. These roads help people travel easily.
The Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is located near Concord. For bigger flights, people can go to Charlotte Douglas International Airport or Piedmont Triad International Airport. You can also travel by train from Kannapolis using Amtrak.
Most homes in the county have phone and internet services. Cable television is also widely available. Cabarrus County is part of the larger Charlotte area for TV and radio broadcasts.
Main Roads
I-85
US 29
US 52
US 601
NC 3
NC 24
NC 27
NC 49
NC 73
NC 200
Learning and Health
Schools and Colleges
The Cabarrus County School System serves most of the county. It's known as one of the good school districts in North Carolina, with students doing well. Parts of Kannapolis have their own school system, Kannapolis City Schools.
Cabarrus County also has colleges like Barber-Scotia College, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, and a branch of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. UNC Charlotte is also nearby and easy to reach.
The Cabarrus County Public Library system has five locations, offering books and resources for everyone.
Healthcare
For medical needs, Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord provides important services, including a 24-hour emergency room.
Media and Fun Things to Do
Local News and Radio
The local newspaper is the Independent Tribune, available in print and online. There's also a weekly newspaper called The Weekly Post. You can listen to radio station WEGO 1410 AM for music from the 60s and 70s.
Popular Attractions
Cabarrus County is home to the Reed Gold Mine, where the first gold in the U.S. was found in 1799. It's a great place to visit and learn about history.
You can also visit the Concord Mills Mall, a very large shopping center. Near the mall is the Great Wolf Lodge, a fun indoor water park resort.
NASCAR: The Center of American Motorsports
Cabarrus County is famous for its connection to NASCAR racing! It's even called the "Center of American Motorsports."
The county has a huge racing complex in Concord, including Charlotte Motor Speedway. This track hosts big NASCAR races every year. There's also The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway and zMAX Dragway for drag racing. Concord Speedway also hosts weekly races.
Many major NASCAR race teams have their shops here, like Hendrick Motorsports, Roush Fenway Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Stewart-Haas Racing.
A special wind tunnel called Windshear opened in Concord in 2008. It helps NASCAR and Formula One racing teams test their cars to make them faster.
Communities in Cabarrus County
Cities
- Concord (the county seat and largest town)
- Kannapolis (part of this city is in Cabarrus County)
- Locust (part of this city is in Cabarrus County)
Towns
Townships
The county is divided into twelve areas called townships:
- 1. Harrisburg
- 2. Poplar Tent
- 3. Odell
- 4. Kannapolis
- 5. New Gilead
- 6. Rimertown
- 7. Gold Hill
- 8. Mt Pleasant
- 9. Georgeville
- 10. Midland
- 11. Central Cabarrus
- 12. Concord
Other Communities
- Fisher Town
- Georgeville
- Odell School
- Rimertown
- Rocky River
Images for kids
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Old Cabarrus County Courthouse
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Cabarrus para niños
