City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Matthews, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Matthews - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

29,959
Residents
$105,579
Median income
$406,800
Median home
$1,686
Median rent (state)

Matthews - the verdict

Nationally, Matthews sits in the 81st percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
18th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Matthews, NC

Matthews is a small city in North Carolina, home to 29,959 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $105,579 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.6%. Matthews's housing stock carries a median value of $406,800, and the median resident age is 39.3 years. Educational attainment runs 53.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 64.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Matthews's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2838.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,686 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts North Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $215 (state average). Workers in Matthews report an average commute of 21.7 minutes, with 71.5% driving alone and 15.6% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.1 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

29,959 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$105,579 /yr

Poverty 3.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Matthews compare to other US cities?

Where Matthews sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to North Carolina alone, Matthews ranks #106 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Matthews's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

81stIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Matthews's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Matthews's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Matthews's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Matthews's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$406,800 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Matthews $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Matthews, NC Matthews, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Matthews, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Matthews, NC median $105,579/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Matthews, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Matthews, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 53.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
29,959
Median Income
$105,579
Median Home Value
$406,800
Median Age
39.3
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Labor force participation
64.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
53.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2838.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
184.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2654.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
29,000 residents30,000 residents31,000 residents32,000 residents33,000 residents34,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 29,517 residents 32,769 residents ▲ +11.0%
Matthews's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.7 minutes
Drive Alone
71.5%
Carpool
10.4%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
15.6%
Other
0.7%

Based on 15,341 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Matthews sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,686/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Morrisville
30,471 people
Statesville
29,161 people
Sanford
30,833 people
New Bern
31,563 people
Clayton
28,043 people
Cornelius
32,009 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Matthews's 29,959 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fridley, MN
29,944 people
Paragould, AR
29,940 people
Greenville, TX
29,936 people
Winter Park, FL
29,929 people
Wellesley, MA
29,906 people
Algonquin, IL
29,904 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Matthews's $105,579 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Eagle Mountain, UT
$105,576 median income
Blythewood, SC
$105,583 median income
Lake Summerset, IL
$105,588 median income
North El Monte, CA
$105,590 median income
Pacific Grove, CA
$105,568 median income
Liberty Lake, WA
$105,599 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Matthews, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Matthews, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.9% 13.5% 6.1% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.2% White 70.9% Black or African American 13.5% Asian 6.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.4% Two or more races 7.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Matthews compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Matthews (this city) 29,959 $105,579
Morrisville 30,471 $125,404
Statesville 29,161 $55,492
Sanford 30,833 $54,294
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Matthews, NC?

What is the population of Matthews, NC? +

Matthews, NC has a population of 29,959 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Matthews, NC? +

The median household income in Matthews is $105,579 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Matthews? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Matthews; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Matthews, NC safe? +

Matthews has a total crime rate of 2838.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Matthews, NC? +

Matthews's median home value sits at $406,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.