Marvin, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marvin, North Carolina
Village
Location of Marvin, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Union
Incorporated	July 1, 1994
Area
• Total	6.03 sq mi (15.63 km2)
• Land	5.99 sq mi (15.50 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2)
Elevation	646 ft (197 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,358
• Density	1,062.15/sq mi (410.09/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28173
Area code(s)	704
FIPS code	37-41720
GNIS feature ID	2407497

Marvin is a small village located in Union County, North Carolina, United States. It's a quiet, more rural area that is also a suburb of the larger city of Charlotte. In 2010, about 5,579 people lived in Marvin. By 2020, the population had grown to 6,358 people.

Exploring Marvin's Location and Land

Marvin is a village that covers about 6 square miles (15.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. An interesting fact about Marvin is that it sits right on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. This means if you travel southwest from Marvin, you'll quickly find yourself in another state!

Who Lives in Marvin?

In 2010, there were 5,579 people living in Marvin. The village had 1,553 households, and most of these were families. A large number of households, about 67.7%, had children under 18 living with them. Most families were married couples living together.

The people living in Marvin come from different backgrounds. In 2010, the population was mostly White, with smaller groups of African American and Asian residents. About 3.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The population in Marvin is quite diverse in age. About 33.6% of the people were under 18 years old. Many adults aged 25 to 44 lived there, making up 33.8% of the population. The average age in the village was 37 years old.

Families in Marvin generally have a high income. In 2010, the average income for a household was around $157,297.

In 2004, the village created a plan to keep its open spaces and maintain its quiet, low-density feel. Marvin is also close to Ballantyne, a popular area in South Charlotte. In April 2022, Marvin opened a new village hall near Marvin Elementary School.

Marvin's Rich History

Early Inhabitants: The Waxhaw People

Long ago, the area where Marvin is today was home to the Waxhaw Indian tribe. They lived near the border of what is now North and South Carolina. The Waxhaw tribe got their name from a special waxy reed that grew in the nearby forests and swamps.

Colonial Times and New Settlers

In 1629, King Charles I of England decided to create the Colony of Carolina. This led to many explorations, including along the Great Trading Path. This path was an important route that connected places like Augusta, Georgia, through Charlotte, and up to Petersburg, Virginia.

In 1700, John Lawson, who was a surveyor for the North Carolina Colony, met the Waxhaw Indians in their native land, which included Marvin. He was very impressed by how fertile the land was, saying it was so rich that it would stay good for a very long time. His words proved true, as 300 years later, Marvin still has many farms, giving it a semi-rural feel.

Sadly, in 1741, a disease called smallpox spread through the community. Many Waxhaw Indians died or had to leave the area. After this, settlers began to use the rich land to grow crops like soy and tobacco.

Many families from Germany, England, Wales, and Scotland moved to the area. Some were looking for a new home away from conflicts in Europe, like the Seven Years' War or the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Becoming a Village: Marvin's Official Start

Before 1842, Marvin was part of Anson County. But then, Mecklenburg and Anson counties split, and Union County was created. This led to Marvin becoming an official part of Union County.

Many early settlers in Marvin owned enslaved people. This practice continued until the end of the American Civil War. Most enslaved people were bought in Charleston, South Carolina. An old road called Steel Creek Road was used to transport cotton produced by enslaved labor. This road was later destroyed during the American Revolutionary War by General Cornwallis and is now the site of Highway 521.

It is believed that Henry Downs, an early resident, was one of the people who signed the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence." This important document was published shortly after the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

After the American Revolution in 1777, North Carolina gave out land grants to soldiers who had served. About 640 acres of land were given away this way. It's thought that Francis Carter, one of the first settlers in the Marvin area, lived on Crane Road and helped manage these land grants. Some of the oldest families in the Carolinas received land from these grants. Other important families, like the Polk family (which included President James K. Polk) and the Jackson family (which included President Andrew Jackson, born near Marvin), came from the North along the Great Trading Path.

Marvin was officially founded as a village on July 1, 1994. Ruth B. Ezzell, an important figure in Marvin's foundation, said that the village was built on the hard work and sacrifices of its early settlers. She hoped that their determination and fight for freedom would inspire future generations to appreciate their community.

Modern Marvin: Growth and Change

Marvin has seen many changes in its population. For example, there has been an increase in Asian-Americans moving to the town since the early 2000s. Because Marvin is close to Charlotte, it has become a popular suburb. Much of this population growth is linked to the large banking industry in Charlotte, especially after Bank of America expanded there around 1992.

See also

In Spanish: Marvin (Carolina del Norte) para niños