In 1874, the Central Carolina Railroad established a train depot in a farming community named after its director, Watson Matthews. With the train’s success, the town transformed into the city of Matthews, incorporated in 1872. Today, the same train tracks run through Matthew’s bustling downtown, and the depot is now a visitor center and museum. Matthews is south of Charlotte, but this mid-size city makes an impact in Mecklenburg County with its constant community events, booming commercial scene and accessibility to Union County.
Nicole McAlister is a Realtor with Keller Williams who has over 10 years of experience selling homes in North and South Carolina. “When I think of Matthews, I think of character, and not a lot of places near Charlotte have that,” McAlister says. “Matthews is one of the few places where you get access to Charlotte, affordable prices and big lots. It’s a beautiful town.” The city has three districts: the Cultural Arts District features festivals and musicals; Historic Downtown offers locally owned restaurants and stores; and the North End is filled with businesses and chain restaurants. Families, young professionals and older folks settle in Matthews for the community and countless ways to enjoy time out of the house.
The commercial district of Matthews sits on it's eastern boarder.
You will feel right at home as you enter Matthews city limits.
The Matthews Train Depot and Visitor Center is a great place to visit.
You can spend the day shopping at the variety of stores in downtown Matthews.
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Busy downtown and plans for growth
Around 30,000 residents live in Matthews’ 17-square-mile city limits. Many business owners have offices and shops downtown, but some locals work for Novant Health Hospital, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and national retail chains. Finance and banking employees often commute to Charlotte. The city created the Strategic Economic 2023-2028 Plan to create more walkable routes, better access to downtown businesses and a more connected city overall. Although the community wants growth, city officials still protect historic buildings and monuments around town.
Matthews residents have a 12 mile commute to Uptown Charlotte.
30,000 residents live in Matthews’ 17-square-mile city limits.
Some Matthews residents work for Novant Health Hospital.
Matthew's officials still protect historic buildings and monuments around town.
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Older homes with large yards
Homes take 26 days on average to sell compared to the national average of 44 days. The median price is $527,500, higher than the $418,700 national median reported by the National Association of Realtors. Throughout the city, many homes were built between the 1990s and mid-2010s. The majority range from $500,000 to $800,000. Larger colonial-style and Craftsman homes in the west half can go for over $1 million, depending on the size. Smaller properties on the east side of downtown sell for $375,000 to $500,000. Townhouses in the Sycamore Trail subdivision are still being built and start in the $300,000s. McAlister points out the Shannamara subdivisions as one of the more notable neighborhoods. Homes here are next to The Divide golf course, and some have views of the private lake where residents can fish.
Newly built traditional homes are a popular option in Matthews.
You can find colonial style homes with large front porches in Matthews.
A Gorgeous Modern Tudor Style Home are also an option in Matthews.
Trees Surround Ranch Style Homes in Shannamara subdivision of Matthews.
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Constant festivals and community events throughout Matthews
Despite being a mid-size town, Matthews is one of the most active cities in Mecklenburg County. “Matthews always has something going on,” McAlister says. “It’s not a huge town, but they put on so many events.” Downtown has a farmers market every Saturday morning, and Stumptown Park hosts the city’s BeachFest every spring. Residents can spend Saturdays perusing local artwork at the nearby McDowell Arts Center or discovering the ins and outs of railroad switchboards at the Heritage Museum. The Matthews Alive! Festival happens every Labor Day weekend, and the event has been a tradition for over 50 years, where vendors, musicians, artists and the community celebrate the city and support nonprofit organizations.
Data from the FBI shows Matthews had a 28% increase in reported violent crimes and a 3% increase in reported nonviolent crimes. The Matthews Police Department partnered with LexisNexis to design an online community crime map, alerting locals to crimes when they occur. Residents can also sign up for CharMeck Alert to get emergency notifications for Mecklenburg County. Just as the city organizes nearly endless events, the MPD also schedules events throughout the year to connect with the community, like the bi-weekly Car Seat Safety & Installation. Residents and business owners can join the Community Video Partner Program to give police quicker access to surveillance cameras during an investigation.
You check out the Matthews local artwork at the nearby McDowell Arts Center.
You can learn about Matthews history at the Heritage Museum.
Stumptown Park in Matthews hosts the city's Beachfest every Spring.
Downtown Matthews has a farmers market every Saturday morning.
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Popular public and private schools
Matthews falls in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The Telra Institute is a public charter school that stands out for its A-plus rating and advanced curriculum. The city also has private schools like Providence Day, which gets an A and is ranked as the best private school in the Charlotte area by Niche. Some residents choose private Christian schools, like Charlotte Country Day, with its A-plus rating and college prep courses.
Telra Institute in Matthews has an A-plus rating.
The Providence Day School in Matthews, hopes to instill a passion for learning in students.
Charlotte Country Day School serves students from preschool through twelfth grade.
Some residents of Matthews choose private Christian schools like Carmel Christian School.
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Downtown retail and nearby shopping centers
How about: Downtown is always full of shoppers walking to mom-and-pop boutiques, coffee shops and family-owned restaurants. “Matthews has a ton of businesses primarily downtown, but there are some throughout town,” McAlister says. Portrait Gallery Restaurant & Bar fills one of downtown Matthews’ oldest buildings, and the Jekyll and Hyde Taphouse Grill in North End serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a steampunk-themed restaurant. Along Independence Boulevard, the city has multiple commercial shopping centers full of chain stores, like the Matthews Township Shopping Center and Sycamore Commons. Residents from Matthews and even Union County to pick up groceries or dine out.
Portrait Gallery Restaurant & Bar fills one of downtown Matthews’ oldest buildings.
You can head to Matthews Township Shopping Center to do your weekly grocery shopping.
The Jekyll and Hyde Taphouse is a Matthews favorite for craft beer.
You can find national chain stores at the Sycamore Commons in Matthews.
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Preservation programs and spacious parks
Matthews is known for being the fifth designated Bee City in the U.S., promoting safe habitats for pollinators. Committees from the city’s parks and recreation department help conserve the local bee population, while maintaining popular greenspaces. “We constantly hear stories from families and young professionals who want to buy homes near parks here,” says Corey King, director of Matthews’ Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Department. Many parks are within walking distance of neighborhoods, including the 29-acre Squirrel Lake Park with its disc golf course, playground equipment and access to the Four Mile Creek Greenway trail. Locals can plant flowers in Purser-Hulsey Park’s community garden or watch a soccer match at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. The weather is average, with humid summers and mild winters, giving residents more time to spend outside.
You can enjoy a game of disc golf at the 29-acre Squirrel Lake Park in Matthews.
Catch up with a friend while you walk the Four Mile Creek Greenway in Matthews..
You can catch a soccer Game at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, NC.
You can enjoy a hike on the nature trail at Purser-Hulsey Park in Matthews.
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Commuting down I-485, Sardis Road or Independence Boulevard
Matthews is southeast of Charlotte, and commuters use Highway 74 -- commonly known as Independence Boulevard -- or Sardis Road when driving 12 miles to Uptown. “Before I-485 was built, it was difficult for people to get to Matthews,” McAlister says. “Now people can get to the area easier, and things really picked up once I-485 was finished. Matthews is also a hub between Charlotte and areas like Mint Hill, so people can get to the hospital.” Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, off the Matthews Township Parkway, was built in 1994, but the hospital campus has undergone multiple expansions since then.
Interstate 485 makes it easy to reach the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 29 miles from Matthews. Many residents travel by car, but the downtown area has wide sidewalks, and the Charlotte Area Transit System offers public bus routes throughout the city and beyond. Driving to work in Uptown takes about 30 minutes, but early morning and 5’o clock traffic are a daily hassle.
Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
Video By
Emily McNamara
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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