Steele Creek, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steele Creek
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 Steele Creek
Location in North Carolina
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| County | Mecklenburg County |
| City | Charlotte |
| Council District | 3 |
| Founded | 1760 |
| Annexed | 1987–Ongoing |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47 sq mi (120 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (200 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 76,301 |
| • Density | 1,623/sq mi (627/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| ZIP code |
28273, 28278
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| Area code(s) | 704, 980 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1001413 |
Steele Creek is a lively community and neighborhood located in the southwest part of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It's mostly within the big city of Charlotte. However, some parts are still considered a "Township" of North Carolina, meaning they are not yet officially part of Charlotte.
Contents
Steele Creek's Population
In 2020, about 76,301 people lived in the Steele Creek community. Around two-thirds of these residents live inside the city limits of Charlotte.
A Look Back: Steele Creek's History
How Steele Creek Got Its Name
The name "Steele Creek" comes from a small creek in the area. It's thought that the name "Steele" was the family name of early settlers. These settlers were Scotch-Irish immigrants who arrived in the late 1600s and early 1700s. Later, this area became known as Steele Creek Township. It was one of the first 15 Townships in Mecklenburg County.
Modern Growth and Changes
In 1959, North Carolina changed its laws about how cities could grow. This new law allowed cities to add nearby areas without asking the residents for permission. Because of this, the city of Charlotte started adding land from Steele Creek Township. Steele Creek had never been a formally organized city itself.
Even though Charlotte took over much of Steele Creek, the area stayed mostly farmland until the 2000s. Then, big improvements like wider roads and new highways helped the area grow very quickly. This growth is sometimes called "suburban sprawl," where towns spread out from a main city.
For example, NC 49 was made wider, the old Buster Boyd Bridge was replaced, and I-485 opened. These changes led to a huge increase in new homes and businesses. Today, Steele Creek is the fastest-growing part of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Its population grew by more than 70% between 2000 and 2007!
Neighborhoods and Areas in Steele Creek
Steele Creek has many different neighborhoods, mostly with homes. Here are some of the most well-known areas:
- Arrowood: This area has many businesses and apartment buildings along Arrowood Road.
- Ayrsley: This is a "mixed-use development." That means it has homes, shops, and offices all in one place. It's located between Westinghouse Boulevard and Interstate 485.
- Berewick: This is another mixed-use area, found between Shopton Road and Dixie River Road.
- Olde Whitehall: You'll find many businesses and stores along Interstate 485 in this area, between South Tryon Street and Arrowood Road.
- Palisades: This is a community built around a golf course. It's in the very southwest part of Steele Creek, centered around the Palisades Country Club.
- Shopton: This area is mainly for factories and businesses. It's located where Steele Creek Road and Shopton Road meet.
- Yorkshire: This is a large neighborhood with many homes, found between Choate Circle and Carowinds Boulevard.
Schools and Libraries in Steele Creek
Learning in Steele Creek Schools
The first school in Steele Creek opened way back in the 1780s. Today, students in Steele Creek attend schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district. These schools include:
- High Schools: Olympic High and Palisades High.
- Middle Schools: Kennedy Middle and Southwest Middle.
- Elementary Schools: Lake Wylie Elementary, Steele Creek Elementary, Winget Park Elementary, River Gate Elementary, Berewick Elementary, and Palisades Park Elementary.
- Other Schools: South Pine Academy.
Steele Creek's Library
Steele Creek has its own branch of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. You can find the library on Steele Creek Road, right in front of Southwest Middle School. It's a great place to find books, learn new things, and use computers.
Getting Around Steele Creek
Main Roads and Highways
Here are some of the main roads that help people travel through Steele Creek:
- Carowinds Boulevard
- General Paul R. Younts Expressway (I-77/US 21)
- Seddon Rusty Goode Freeway (I-485)
- Shopton Road West
- South Tryon Street/York Road (NC 49)
- Steele Creek Road (NC 160)
- Westinghouse Boulevard
Public Transportation
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides bus services in Steele Creek. These buses can take you to different parts of the area and even to Center City.
Here are some of the bus routes that serve Steele Creek:
- 16 - South Tryon: This bus connects the Rivergate Shopping Center to Center City.
- 41X - Steele Creek Express: This is an express bus that also goes between Rivergate Shopping Center and Center City.
- 42 - Carowinds: This route connects Southpoint Business Park to the I-485/South Boulevard LYNX station.
- 55 - Westinghouse: This bus connects the Charlotte Premium Outlets to the Sharon Road West (LYNX station).
- 56 - Arrowood: This route connects the Charlotte Premium Outlets to the Arrowood (LYNX station).
Notable People from Steele Creek
- Mel Watt - He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing North Carolina's 12th district.
