Matthews, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matthews, North Carolina
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Matthews Town Hall and library
|
|||
|
|||
Location of Matthews, North Carolina
|
|||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | North Carolina | ||
| County | Mecklenburg | ||
| Incorporated | 1879 | ||
| Named for | Edward Matthews | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 17.19 sq mi (44.53 km2) | ||
| • Land | 17.11 sq mi (44.33 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 745 ft (227 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 29,435 | ||
| • Density | 1,719.84/sq mi (664.05/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
28104, 28105
|
||
| Area code(s) | 704 | ||
| FIPS code | 3741960 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2406108 | ||
Matthews is a lively town located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. It's like a friendly neighbor to the bigger city of Charlotte. In 2020, about 29,435 people called Matthews home.
Contents
Exploring Matthews' Past
In the early 1800s, the area that is now Matthews was first called Stumptown. This funny name came from all the tree stumps left behind when people cleared land for cotton farms. Later, the community's name changed to Fullwood. This was in honor of John Miles Fullwood, who was the local postmaster.
A sawmill was built, and the cotton and timber industries helped Fullwood grow into a town. Before the first train arrived in 1874, Fullwood was an important stop for stagecoaches traveling between Charlotte and Monroe. The town officially became a municipal corporation in 1879. It was then renamed Matthews to honor Edward Matthews. He was a director of the Central Carolina Railroad, which later became the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.
Matthews is also known for its big annual celebration called Matthews Alive. The parade, held around Labor Day, is one of the largest in the entire Southeastern United States!
Where is Matthews Located?
Matthews is located at 35°7′1″N 80°42′59″W / 35.11694°N 80.71639°W. It covers a total area of about 17.2 square miles (44.5 square kilometers), and almost all of it is land. The town is situated about 11 miles (18 kilometers) southeast of downtown Charlotte.
Who Lives in Matthews?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 191 | — | |
| 1890 | 335 | 75.4% | |
| 1900 | 378 | 12.8% | |
| 1910 | 396 | 4.8% | |
| 1920 | 310 | −21.7% | |
| 1930 | 454 | 46.5% | |
| 1940 | 486 | 7.0% | |
| 1950 | 589 | 21.2% | |
| 1960 | 609 | 3.4% | |
| 1970 | 783 | 28.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,648 | 110.5% | |
| 1990 | 13,651 | 728.3% | |
| 2000 | 22,127 | 62.1% | |
| 2010 | 27,198 | 22.9% | |
| 2020 | 29,435 | 8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 29,435 people living in Matthews. There were 12,011 households and 8,496 families. Most people in Matthews are White (about 71%). Other groups include Black or African American (about 10%), Asian (about 5%), and Hispanic or Latino (about 9%).
The average age of people in Matthews is around 40 years old. About 30% of the population is under 19 years old. The median household income in Matthews was about $77,981. This means that half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less.
Learning in Matthews
Matthews is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. There are several elementary schools within the town, including Matthews Elementary, Crown Point Elementary, and Elizabeth Lane Elementary. For middle school, many students attend Crestdale Middle. Most high school students in Matthews go to David W. Butler High School.
There are also public charter schools like Matthews Charter Academy, Telra Institute, and Socrates Academy. If you're interested in religious schools, some nearby options include Covenant Day School and Charlotte Christian School.
The town also has a branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It's located inside the Matthews Town Hall and is a very popular place for reading and learning!
Matthews' Economy
Several well-known companies have their main offices in Matthews. These include:
- Family Dollar Stores, a popular store chain.
- Harris Teeter, a large grocery store chain.
- Pokertek, a company that makes gaming devices.
Sports in Matthews
Matthews is home to a professional soccer team called Stumptown Athletic. The team's name is a nod to the town's original nickname! Stumptown Athletic was started in 2019 and plays in the National Independent Soccer Association. Their home games are played at the Sportsplex at Matthews, which can hold 5,000 fans.
Famous People from Matthews
Many talented people have come from Matthews! Here are a few:
- Jamar Adams, an NFL safety.
- Tyler Barnhardt, an actor.
- Robert Blanton, an NFL strong safety.
- Jarrett Boykin, a wide receiver who played in both the NFL and CFL.
- Brooklyn Decker, a model and actress.
- Ikem Ekwonu, an NFL offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
- Jordan Lloyd, who won the reality TV show Big Brother 11.
International Friends
Matthews has a special connection with a town in France! It is twinned with:
Sainte-Maxime, located in Var, France.
Images for kids
-
Matthews Town Hall and library
-
Matthews Town Flag
-
Matthews Town Seal
-
Location of Matthews, North Carolina
-
Downtown Matthews, North Carolina
-
Novant Health Matthews Medical Center in Matthews
See also
In Spanish: Matthews para niños
