Waxhaw, located in the historic region known as the Waxhaws and in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, is named for the Indian tribe who once resided there. Originally called "Wisacky," the Waxhaw settlement was established along a busy trader's path which ran from Petersburg, Virginia to Augusta, Georgia. John Lederer, a German traveler and scholar, discovered Waxhaw in 1670, but perhaps the town's major claim to fame is as the region where gold was first found in the United States. The community of Waxhaw enjoyed prosperity from the 1888s when the railroad tracks to Atlanta ran through the center of town, along a grassy strip dividing two rows of stores. Waxhaw was very dependent on the cotton industry until demand fell in the early 1960s, when the town reinvented itself as an antiques and fine dining center.

Today, Waxhaw features dozens of specialty shops and dining options ranging from casual to elegant. The town is located in Union County, just 15 miles from southern Charlotte and I-485, and is a relatively short commute to the shopping malls, cultural facilities, major hospitals the area provides. With a population estimate of 3,207 for 2005, the quaint town of Waxhaw is set among horse farms and rural homesteads, and is a busy place to live and play. The town has a number of annual events, including a Civil War reenactment, Scottish games, antiques shows, house tours and a historical drama.

Additionally, Waxhaw boasts a 1050-acre Cane Creek Park, which draws visitors with its beauty and its numerous activities. The park includes a 350-acre trophy bass lake, a beach, swimming area, boats for rental, miniature golf and camping. With land donated by a local developer, the town is building an athletic complex that will include four baseball/softball diamonds, six soccer fields and other athletic facilities.

The Waxhaw Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and has some magnificent old houses near the center of town. The town government, along with its residents, are also working on beautification plans to improve the downtown area. Town Park is conveniently located in downtown Waxhaw and has a variety of amenities for all ages. The town boasts a 600 acre complex that houses JAARS, the technical services arm for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Town Park also contains an airstrip, offices and two museums. For horse racing enthusiasts, the Charlotte Steeplechase Association holds it annual steeplechase near the village.

Waxhaw's real estate is vibrant, with a variety of neighborhoods and homes to choose from, including old homes near the center of town. There are new housing communities located along NC 75 East and West of Waxhaw, as well as Highway 16 north of Waxhaw. With its rolling hills and a wide variety of lifestyle choices, you'll discover everything from new suburban neighborhoods to golf course and gated communities and rural hideaways, family farms and county estates. Waxhaw offers a reasonable cost of living, top-rated schools, relatively low taxes, growing business opportunities and excellent access to the metropolitan area of Charlotte, making Waxhaw real estate second to none. The town boasts many waterfront/water-view and lakefront homes, as well as active adult communities. There is a wide variety of housing types available to meet any taste, including single family homes, town houses and condominiums.

The median population age is in Waxhaw is about 33 years old, with an average household income of about $55,184 and average house prices of about $230,000. Overall, prices of Waxhaw homes for sale range from $80,000 to well over $1,000,000. The primary industrial sectors providing employment in Waxhaw include finance, insurance, manufacturing, educational, health and social services. The quality of education provided by the Union County Public School District is award-winning, and several local schools have earned School of Excellence or School of Distinction designations. There are also quality private schools and opportunities for higher education.

Waxhaw offers a unique blend of natural beauty, historic, religious and artistic values, and it is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. North Carolina's real estate is second to none, with homes to fit every taste and budget. For more information about Waxhaw real estate as well as homes for sale in Union County, contact the expert Realtors of the Re/Max Premier Team at (704) 714-6670 today.

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