Midland has history, industry and growth on the horizon
Midland put Cabarrus County on the map in the late 1700s when John Reed discovered gold and founded the first documented gold mine in the nation. While gold mining was lucrative, farming continued to lead the economy, and Midland has never lost its rural atmosphere. “Midland is an attractive option for first-time buyers, families and retirees looking to stretch their dollar without sacrificing quality of life,” says Johanna Martin, a Realtor and team lead with River Valley Group at Carolina Living Associates. “It’s an easy commute into the metro areas of Charlotte, Concord, Matthews and Monroe.”
Historic Midland has transitioned from a gold mining destination into a manufacturing hub. Commercial properties and farms take up most of the area, but there are single-family homes where people can live close to work while enjoying larger lots and less noise than busy Charlotte encounters daily. There has been new growth with the addition of more businesses and homes, but the small-town setting remains.
Newer homes and larger established properties
There are subdivisions that were built in the last 10 years, and the newer farmhouses and Craftsman homes sell for $300,000 to $725,000. Ranch-style and New Traditional homes with larger lots can range from $725,000 to $950,000. Any property that sells for $300,000 and under is a manufactured home or small cottage. The Wyntree subdivision is the only community with townhouses, and they sell for $250,000 to $285,000. “A lot of developments there have some turnover, but the ones who have family land and have lived there for a long time don’t want to let go of their land,” Martin says. “They’re proud to be long-time landowners.” When farmland has gone on the market, the properties have sold for $1.2 million to $1.5 million.
Newer homes in subdivisions like Wyntree and Saddlebrook have access to public water and sewer systems, but homeowners have to pay HOA fees. Older homes outside of any subdivision run on septic tanks and well water, though residents have larger lots and no HOAs.
Touring the historic Reed Gold Mine
Martin is intimately familiar with Midland’s history, as she has a family connection. “My grandfather five times removed is Johann, but they called him John,” Martin says. “He was getting robbed when he took his gold to Philadelphia, so the government put a mint in Charlotte, and that’s what started Charlotte as a banking center in the south.” Reed Gold Mine holds guided tours of the underground mine, and visitors can buy a ticket to pan for gold. The visitor center doubles as a museum, complete with exhibits of gold nuggets and mining machinery. Bethel Church of Midland also has a piece of history, as the arbor shelter near the main church hall was built around 1830 by early church members.
Award-winning performances at Central Cabarrus High
Because Midland is in the Cabarrus County Schools district, kids are zoned for Bethel Elementary School. Students later move on to C. C. Griffin Middle School, and then Central Cabarrus High School. All three earn B-plus ratings from Niche. Every year, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte hosts the Blumey Awards, and the Central Cabarrus High theater group won Best Musical in 2024 for the Tier 1 category.
Manufacturing jobs in Midland and direct routes to Charlotte
Midland is home to the largest Corning fiber optics manufacturing plant in the nation, and there are more manufacturing plants along U.S. Route 601. Intertape Polymer Group recently moved to Midland, and the facility cost almost $50 million to build. Anyone who works outside of Midland might commute to Charlotte. State Route 27 leads about 22 miles to Charlotte, a drive that takes close to 40 minutes with light traffic.
Atrium Health Primary Care Cabarrus Family Medicine is in Midland, but the nearest hospital and emergency room is the Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center, about 8 miles away. Freight trains move materials from the manufacturing plants along the train tracks. Drivers using Broadway Avenue might get stuck waiting for a train to pass, but Route 601 goes over the tracks.
Carolina Thread Trail access and the county's largest park
While Midland is heavily commercial, residents have green spaces to explore. Rob Wallace Park opened for the first time in 2017, and it’s currently the largest park in the county with over 140 acres. Visitors can stand on the boardwalk and fish in the man-made pond for small bass or bluegills. The park’s paved trail circles the pond, playground and park office. The Carolina Thread Trail is a collection of greenways, waterways and trails across 15 counties. Midland has the Pharr Family Preserve Trail and Riverbend Farm Trail, where anyone can walk or bike the natural trails or launch kayaks into the Rocky River access points. Riverbend Farm opens every October for weekends and afternoons, and the admission fee covers access to the playground, petting zoo and wagon rides. The farm is best known for its pumpkin patch, where visitors can find their best gourds for decorating or carving.
Lunch at Hot Mess Burgers and more restaurants in nearby Locust
Restaurant options within Midland may be limited, but that means residents have a better chance of running into friends and catching up. Hot Mess Burgers is a walk-up restaurant that has picnic tables where guests can eat their hot dogs or burgers. Sundae Shop is another walk-up restaurant specializing in hot dogs, burgers and soft serve ice cream. “D’Anna’s Kitchen is really great, and it’s across from Tractor Supply,” Martin says. “You can go 3 or 4 miles into Locust for more options. It’s a short trip to go to Pizza and Beyond, The Local Room and The Brew Room.” Bloom Boutique is one of the only stores in Midland that isn’t a feed or supply store, though there is a Walmart Supercenter on Route 27 for groceries. The area is about 15 miles, or 25 minutes, away from Concord Mills, the only open-air outlet mall in the Charlotte region.
