Concord, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Concord, North Carolina
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Downtown Concord
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| Motto(s):
"High Performance Living"
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 Concord, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| County | Cabarrus | ||
| Founded | April 1796 | ||
| Incorporated | 1806 | ||
| Named for | Harmony | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 64.04 sq mi (165.86 km2) | ||
| • Land | 64.00 sq mi (165.77 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2) 0.06% | ||
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 105,240 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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110,119 | ||
| • Rank | 303rd in the United States 10th in North Carolina |
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| • Density | 1,644.32/sq mi (634.87/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 278,612 (US: 145th) | ||
| • Urban density | 1,392.7/sq mi (537.7/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 2,805,115 (US: 22nd) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
28025, 28026, 28027
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| Area code(s) | 704, 980 | ||
| FIPS code | 37-14100 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2404117 | ||
| Primary Airport | Concord-Padgett Regional Airport | ||
| Secondary Airport | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | ||
| Public transportation | CKRider | ||
Concord (/ˌkɒnˈkɔːrd/ KON-kord) is a big city in North Carolina, United States. It is the main city of Cabarrus County. In 2020, about 105,240 people lived there.
Concord is the second-largest city in the Charlotte metropolitan area. It is also the tenth-largest city in North Carolina. The city won the All-America City Award in 2004. Concord is known for its fun places like Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills.
Contents
History of Concord
Concord was first settled around 1750 by people from Germany and Scotland-Ireland. The name "Concord" means "to bring into harmony." This name was chosen because there was a disagreement between the German and Scots-Irish settlers about where the county's main town should be. Concord became a town in 1806, which makes it quite old for a U.S. city. You can still see markers downtown that show the original town limits.
As the county seat, Concord became a busy place for trade. Farmers and townspeople would gather there, especially on court days. In the past, cotton farming was very important. Wealthy landowners grew cotton using the labor of enslaved African Americans.
Many beautiful homes were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These homes show the wealth from cotton and textile factories. One special place is Memorial Garden, which is part of the First Presbyterian Church's old cemetery.
Concord became a center for cotton mills in the late 1800s. In 1897, a group of Black businessmen, including Warren Clay Coleman, started the Coleman Manufacturing Company. This was likely the first cotton mill in the country owned by Black people. They wanted to help Black people become more financially secure. The mill faced challenges after Coleman passed away. Later, the building was taken over by another company.
For a long time, Concord's city limits were mostly around its downtown. But since the 1970s, the city has grown a lot, especially towards Charlotte.
Concord's Geography
Concord is in the western part of Cabarrus County. It covers about 64 square miles (165 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water.
The city is located northeast of Charlotte, which is North Carolina's biggest city. Concord is the second-largest city in the Charlotte area. It is about halfway between Charlotte and Salisbury. Other nearby towns include Kannapolis and Harrisburg.
Concord's Climate
Concord has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has cool or mild winters and hot, humid summers. The city is in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, which has rolling hills and forests.
In winter, the average high temperature is around 43°F (6°C). The average low is about 29°F (-2°C). In summer, the average temperature is 79°F (26°C), and the average high is 88°F (31°C). Sometimes, summer temperatures can reach the mid-90s or even over 100°F (38°C).
Concord gets a good amount of rain, about 43.8 inches (111 cm) per year. February and April are usually the driest months. Thunderstorms are common in spring and summer. The sun shines a lot, especially in summer.
| Climate data for Concord, North Carolina (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1891–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) |
82 (28) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
107 (42) |
104 (40) |
98 (37) |
88 (31) |
81 (27) |
107 (42) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 52.8 (11.6) |
56.7 (13.7) |
64.5 (18.1) |
74.1 (23.4) |
81.4 (27.4) |
88.4 (31.3) |
91.8 (33.2) |
89.8 (32.1) |
84.0 (28.9) |
74.4 (23.6) |
63.9 (17.7) |
55.6 (13.1) |
73.1 (22.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.8 (4.9) |
44.1 (6.7) |
51.3 (10.7) |
60.4 (15.8) |
68.8 (20.4) |
76.6 (24.8) |
80.3 (26.8) |
78.5 (25.8) |
72.2 (22.3) |
61.1 (16.2) |
50.5 (10.3) |
43.6 (6.4) |
60.7 (15.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.9 (−1.7) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
38.1 (3.4) |
46.8 (8.2) |
56.1 (13.4) |
64.9 (18.3) |
68.7 (20.4) |
67.2 (19.6) |
60.5 (15.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
37.2 (2.9) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
48.3 (9.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −5 (−21) |
3 (−16) |
1 (−17) |
24 (−4) |
32 (0) |
43 (6) |
49 (9) |
49 (9) |
37 (3) |
24 (−4) |
12 (−11) |
4 (−16) |
−5 (−21) |
| Average rainfall inches (mm) | 3.68 (93) |
3.12 (79) |
4.10 (104) |
4.03 (102) |
3.71 (94) |
4.67 (119) |
5.31 (135) |
4.53 (115) |
4.24 (108) |
3.49 (89) |
3.48 (88) |
3.51 (89) |
47.87 (1,215) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.1 (2.8) |
1.3 (3.3) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.5 (1.3) |
3.3 (8.4) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Concord's Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 878 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,264 | 44.0% | |
| 1890 | 4,339 | 243.3% | |
| 1900 | 7,910 | 82.3% | |
| 1910 | 8,715 | 10.2% | |
| 1920 | 9,903 | 13.6% | |
| 1930 | 11,820 | 19.4% | |
| 1940 | 15,572 | 31.7% | |
| 1950 | 16,486 | 5.9% | |
| 1960 | 17,799 | 8.0% | |
| 1970 | 18,464 | 3.7% | |
| 1980 | 16,942 | −8.2% | |
| 1990 | 27,347 | 61.4% | |
| 2000 | 55,977 | 104.7% | |
| 2010 | 79,066 | 41.2% | |
| 2020 | 105,240 | 33.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 110,119 | 39.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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2020 Census Data
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 41,985 | 51,843 | 55,333 | 75.00% | 65.57% | 52.58% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 8,304 | 13,717 | 22,986 | 14.83% | 17.35% | 21.84% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 138 | 189 | 236 | 0.25% | 0.24% | 0.22% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 670 | 2,018 | 7,050 | 1.20% | 2.55% | 6.70% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 8 | 47 | 61 | 0.01% | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 64 | 160 | 569 | 0.11% | 0.20% | 0.54% |
| Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) | 439 | 1,338 | 4,368 | 0.78% | 1.69% | 4.15% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4,369 | 9,754 | 14,637 | 7.80% | 12.34% | 13.91% |
| Total | 55,977 | 79,066 | 105,240 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
In 2020, Concord had 105,240 people. There were 30,660 households and 21,013 families living in the city.
2010 Census Data
In 2010, Concord's population was 79,066. Most people (70.4%) were white. About 17.8% were Black or African American, and 2.6% were Asian. About 12.3% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Religious Groups
The first settlers in Cabarrus County in the 1750s were mostly German Lutherans and Scots-Irish Presbyterians. In 1773, some German church groups asked for a preacher from Germany. Adolphus Nussmann became the first Lutheran preacher in North Carolina. He started many churches and schools in the area.
Today, Concord has many different religions. Over 63% of people in the area belong to a religious group. The city has many churches, a Jewish temple called Temple Or Olam, and several Islamic communities.
Concord's Economy
Concord has a strong and varied economy. It includes shipping, banking, manufacturing, and motorsports. Many different types of services are also important.
Major Employers in Concord
Concord has many small businesses. It also has several large companies that employ many people. Some of the biggest employers include:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atrium Health Cabarrus | 4,500 |
| 2 | Cabarrus County Schools | 3,800 |
| 3 | City of Concord | 1,100 |
| 4 | Cabarrus County Government | 950 |
| 5 | Connextions | 900 |
| 6 | Shoe Show | 800 |
| 7 | North Carolina Government | 770 |
| 8 | Kannapolis City Schools | 750 |
| 9 | S&D Coffee and Tea | 625 |
| 10 | Sysco | 510 |
Concord is also home to the international headquarters for ACN Inc..
Arts and Culture in Concord
Shopping in Concord
Downtown Concord has shops selling antiques, unique items, and arts and crafts. There is also a farmers market during certain seasons. Concord is famous for Concord Mills, a very large shopping mall. These two places are very important for the city's economy.
Historic Places
The Cabarrus County Courthouse was finished in 1876. It has a 16-foot marble monument from the Civil War. This courthouse is now home to the Cabarrus Arts Council and the Davis Theater.
Many other places in Concord are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include:
- Barber-Scotia College
- Reed Gold Mine
- Mill Hill
- And several historic districts with old homes and buildings.
Motorsports in Concord
Concord is a big center for NASCAR racing. It is home to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where many famous races happen. The city also has a NASCAR Research and Development Office. Several professional race teams, like Hendrick Motorsports and RFK Racing, are based here.
The speedway was opened in 1959 by Bruton Smith. His company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc., owns the speedway. They also own a dragstrip and a dirt track next to the speedway. Concord also has Windshear, Inc., a company with a special wind tunnel. This tunnel is used to test how fast race cars can go.
Fun Attractions
Concord has many fun places to visit. These include shopping malls, a museum, a family resort, and a NASCAR track. There is also a large arena for events.
- Cabarrus Arena & Events Center
- Carolina Mall
- Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Concord Mills
- Great Wolf Lodge
- zMax Dragway
Parks and Recreation
Concord has a program called "Partnerships for Stronger Neighborhoods." This program helps make life better for people living in Concord's neighborhoods. City staff work with neighborhoods to improve communication and events. This makes Concord a popular place for families to live.
The city offers many places for fun and exercise:
- Three recreational centers
- Eight parks
- Four sports complexes
- An aquatics center for swimming lessons and open swim
- Lake Fisher, which is great for boating, fishing, and has greenways for walking and biking.
- The Rocky River Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course.
There are also private places for recreation, like the West Cabarrus YMCA and the Sportscenter.
Education in Concord
Concord has many schools, both public and private. The public schools are part of the Cabarrus County Schools system. There are 12 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and five high schools in Concord. Private schools include Cannon School and Concord First Assembly Academy.
Colleges and Universities
- Rowan–Cabarrus Community College
- Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
- Barber-Scotia College
Transportation in Concord
Highways
Interstate 85 goes right through Concord. It connects the city to Greensboro and Durham to the northeast. To the southwest, it leads to Charlotte, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. Interstate 85 has eight lanes in Concord. Interstate 485 is also nearby, giving access to the Charlotte area. US Highway 29 and US Highway 601 also pass through Concord.
Bus Services
Concord has its own bus system called CKRider. It serves Concord and Kannapolis. You can also connect to Charlotte's bus system using CKRider. Greyhound also has bus services in the area.
Train Services
One railroad line runs through Concord. It is used for industrial purposes. There are no passenger train stations in Concord itself. However, Amtrak has stations in nearby Kannapolis and Charlotte.
Air Travel
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (JQF) is owned and run by the city of Concord. It helps with air traffic for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), which is a major airport for both domestic and international flights. Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is used by charter planes, private planes, and flight schools. Since 2013, Allegiant Air has offered commercial flights from Concord-Padgett Regional to cities in Florida and New Orleans.
Famous People from Concord
- The Avett Brothers (Scott and Seth Avett), Grammy Nominated bluegrass-rock musicians
- Carol Barbee, television and movie actress, writer, and producer
- Joshua Boger, founder and CEO (retired), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX), S&P 500 company
- Leaky Black, college basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels
- Warren Clay Coleman, born into slavery, he became a successful businessman in Concord, and in 1896 was a founder of the first African-American owned and operated textile mill in the country
- Jackie Fargo, former professional wrestler
- Bill Fetzer, college football, basketball, and baseball coach
- Billy Goodman, professional baseball player for Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox
- Jay Graham, collegiate and NFL running back, current assistant coach at Florida State
- Fletcher L. Hartsell Jr., North Carolina senator
- Jody Hill, film director, screenwriter, producer, actor
- Jimmy Hitchcock, former NFL cornerback
- Nikita Koloff, retired WCW professional wrestler
- Lance Lewis, former NFL wide receiver
- Gaston Bullock Means, political figure, detective, part of Harding administration's "Ohio Gang"
- Blanche Taylor Moore, convicted murderer
- Jessica Moore, anchor and reporter, KSNV, WCBS-TV
- Wendell Moore Jr., Played college basketball for Duke University, NBA player for Minnesota Timberwolves
- Mike Morton, linebacker for the North Carolina Tar Heels and four NFL teams
- Clarence L. Partee, classical guitarist
- Israel Pickens, third Governor of Alabama and North Carolina congressman
- Bradley Pinion, NFL punter for the Atlanta Falcons
- Robert D. Raiford, radio personality John Boy and Billy Big Show
- Lamont Reid, former NFL and CFL cornerback
- Rachel Reilly, reality television personality (winner of Big Brother 13)
- Bill Staton, professional pool player and restaurateur
- Corey Seager, former professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and now with the Texas Rangers
- Kyle Seager, professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners
- Ish Smith, NBA player, played collegiately at Wake Forest
- Clayton Spencer, 8th President of Bates College
- Silda Wall Spitzer, First Lady of New York from January 2007 until March 2008
- Kerry Teague, NASCAR driver
- Elizabeth Threatt, model and actress
- Daniel Truhitte, played Rolfe in The Sound of Music
- Robert B. Tucker, founder and former CEO of Shoe Show.
- Skeet Ulrich, actor
- Gene Verble, professional baseball player
- Bubba Wallace, NASCAR driver
- Kenyan Weaks, Basketball Player
Sister Cities
Concord has three sister cities around the world:
Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Freeport, Bahamas
Siena, Tuscany, Italy
See also
In Spanish: Concord (Carolina del Norte) para niños
