Matthews, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Matthews, North Carolina had a total population of 30,577, the 36th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $108,611, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.7% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- 55.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Matthews Quick Facts
How Matthews Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,959 | 30,577 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $105,579 | $108,611 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $406,800 | $445,100 | +9.4% |
How Matthews Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Matthews Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Mecklenburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 903,844 | $82,068 | 11.7% | $385,700 |
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | 3.1% | $472,900 |
| Cornelius | 32,783 | $113,767 | 5.4% | $559,400 |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | 8.4% | $428,900 |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | 4.8% | $428,000 |
| Davidson | 15,660 | $166,556 | 7.0% | $687,700 |
| Weddington | 13,805 | $190,766 | 4.0% | $824,100 |
| Pineville | 11,055 | $69,354 | 13.8% | $395,100 |
| Midland | 4,860 | $101,477 | 4.1% | $369,100 |
Cities Similar to Matthews
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelius | 32,783 | $113,767 | $559,400 | 62.2% | 5.4% |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | $518,800 | 72.7% | 3.1% |
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | $398,900 | 43.7% | 6.1% |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | $428,900 | 40.4% | 8.4% |
| Clayton | 29,320 | $78,822 | $329,600 | 40.4% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Matthews is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Mecklenburg County. The total population is 30,577. It ranks as the 36th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Matthews is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Matthews is $108,611. This is 50% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 35% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.7%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 55% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $445,100. Housing costs are 54% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 64.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Matthews is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.4% vs 3.3%).
Education
55.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Matthews in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%. Notably, 18.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Matthews, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Matthews, North Carolina?
Matthews, North Carolina has a population of 30,577 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Matthews, NC?
The median household income in Matthews is $108,611, which is 35% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Matthews, NC?
The poverty rate in Matthews is 3.7%. This means approximately 1,107 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Matthews, North Carolina?
Matthews's population is 70.0% White, 13.0% Black, 6.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Matthews, NC?
The median home value in Matthews is $445,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Matthews, North Carolina?
55.2% of adults (25+) in Matthews hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.