In the early 19th century, the new settlement that would become Matthews was unofficially named Stumptown for the copious amount of tree stumps left from making way for cotton farms. The community's name later changed to Fullwood, named after appointed area postmaster John Miles Fullwood. The establishment of a sawmill and the cotton and timber industry helped Fullwood change into a town. Prior to the first train arriving on December 15, 1874, Fullwood acted as a stagecoach stop between Charlotte and Monroe. The town was incorporated into a municipal corporation in 1879, and was renamed Matthews in honor of Edward Matthews, who was director of the Central Carolina Railroad, which would later become known as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.[5][6]
According to officials, the Matthews Alive Parade, part of a celebration held for the 31st time in 2023, was the largest Labor Day parade in the Southeastern United States.[7]
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 29,435 people, 12,011 households, and 8,496 families residing in the town.
2006-2008
As of the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, there were 26,901 people, 11,349 households, and 7,904 families in the town. According to the Census Bureau of 2000, the population density was 1,557.1 inhabitants per square mile (601.2/km2). There were 138 housing units at an average density of 572.7 per square mile (221.1/km2). According to the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, The racial makeup of the town was 82.3% White, 10.1% African American or Black, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.8% of other race, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3% of the population.
There were 7,904 households, of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married/couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 19, 3.2% from 20 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 11% 65 or older. The median age was 40.3 years.
The median household income was $77,981 and the median family income was $88,600. Males had a median income of $65,909 versus $44,665 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,250. About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Elementary schools serving sections of Matthews include Matthews Elementary,[12] Crown Point,[13] Elizabeth Lane,[14] Mint Hill Elementary in Mint Hill,[15] and Providence Spring (outside of Matthews).[16]
Much of Mathews is zoned to Crestdale Middle School.[17] Portions of Mathews are zoned to Mint Hill Middle in Mint Hill,[18] as well as South Charlotte Middle School.[19] Most of Mathews is zoned to Butler HS,[20] while portions are zoned to Providence High School.[21]
Public charter schools include Matthews Charter Academy, Telra Institute and Socrates Academy. Religious schools nearby include Covenant Day School, Charlotte Christian School, Carmel Christian, Blessed Sacrament Academy, and Greyfriars Classical Academy.
Matthews is served by a branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.[22] The library is located on the first floor of the Matthews Town Hall and is one of the most active in the system.
