Marvin, NC
Living in Marvin, NC — Estate‑Lot Living, Greenways, and a Carefully Planned Village Center
If you love quiet streets, larger lots, and a true “country‑near‑the‑city” feel, Marvin is your lane. Tucked in western Union County along the Mecklenburg line, the Village of Marvin blends equestrian roots, mature neighborhoods, and new greenways with quick access to South Charlotte’s dining and services. Commercial areas are intentionally limited inside Marvin’s boundaries; most residents hop five to fifteen minutes to Waverly, Blakeney, Rea Farms, Ballantyne, or downtown Waxhaw for restaurants and errands.
Signature Marvin advantages:
- Space & serenity: Many neighborhoods offer bigger yards, sidewalks, and tree cover—the classic Union County feel.
- Parks & trails: Marvin‑Efird Park is the town’s hub for concerts, movies, and trails; the Marvin Loop asphalt greenway is expanding and connects natural‑surface paths throughout the Village.
- Pro planning: The Marvin Heritage District Small Area Plan guides a modest Village Center along New Town Road to create a civic and cultural heart without losing the rural character.
- Commute math that works: Rea Rd, Marvin Rd, and Providence Rd put I‑485, Ballantyne, and SouthPark within easy reach; Uptown Charlotte is a straight run via I‑485 → I‑77 (timing varies by hour).
Helpful links:
- Village of Marvin: https://marvinnc.gov/
- Marvin‑Efird Park: https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Parks-Recreation/Marvin-Efird-Park
- Trails & Greenways (Marvin Loop): https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Parks-Recreation/Trails-Greenways
- Marvin Heritage District overview: https://marvinnc.gov/About-Marvin/Marvin-Heritage-District
- Nearby dining districts — Waverly: https://www.waverlyclt.com/ | Blakeney: https://www.shopblakeney.com/ | Rea Farms: https://www.reafarmsclt.com/ | The Bowl at Ballantyne: https://thebowlnc.com/
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Population
Schools
Food and Dining
Things To Do
Employment
Taxes
Population & Growth — Marvin’s “Conservative Growth” Approach, Explained
Marvin’s growth pattern is different from many Charlotte suburbs: it’s deliberately paced and shaped by plans that prioritize low‑density neighborhoods, open space, and a small Village Center. The 2020 Land Use Plan and the Marvin Heritage District Small Area Plan reaffirm that approach: preserve rural character across most of the Village while focusing any future shops/cafés into a compact center on New Town Road.
Current snapshot & context:
- Scale: ACS 2023 estimates put Marvin at roughly 6,500–6,600 residents—small compared with neighboring towns, and that’s by design.
- Trend: Regional in‑migration continues, but Marvin channels it with conditional rezonings, trail investments, and modest mixed‑use in the Heritage District rather than broad commercial corridors.
- Takeaway for buyers: Inventory leans toward single‑family homes on larger lots; townhomes exist, but supply is limited compared with Matthews or Indian Trail.
Sources to check numbers/vision:
- Census: QuickFacts / ACS profile for Marvin (population & households). https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/marvinvillagenorthcarolina | Census Reporter: https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US3741720-marvin-nc/
- Land Use Plan (2020): https://marvinnc.gov/Portals/0/Marvin/Planning/Documents/2020-vom-lup-adopted.pdf
- Heritage District (plan & updates): https://marvinnc.gov/About-Marvin/Marvin-Heritage-District
Schools Serving Marvin — UCPS with Noted “Marvin Ridge” Feeder (Verify Your Address)
Most Marvin addresses are zoned to **Union County Public Schools (UCPS)**. The area is known for the **Marvin Ridge** middle‑to‑high pathway and several strong elementary options. Because attendance zones can shift with new development, always verify your exact address with UCPS before you buy.
Common public feeders (examples — confirm for your street):
- **Marvin Ridge High (Waxhaw address)** — AP/IB options and strong academics; GreatSchools shows a high rating. Profile: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/waxhaw/3421-Marvin-Ridge-High-School/
- **Marvin Ridge Middle** — GreatSchools profile: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/waxhaw/3420-Marvin-Ridge-Middle-School/
- **Marvin Elementary (in‑Village)** — UCPS school page: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/21 | GreatSchools profile: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/waxhaw/2975-Marvin-Elementary-School/
- **Sandy Ridge Elementary (nearby, Waxhaw)** — UCPS page: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/40 | GreatSchools: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/waxhaw/3358-Sandy-Ridge-Elementary-School/
- **Rea View Elementary (nearby, Waxhaw)** — UCPS page: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/reaview | GreatSchools: https://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/waxhaw/3525-Rea-View-Elementary/
Private/independent (short drives):
- South Charlotte corridors offer numerous private options; drive‑times from most Marvin neighborhoods are 15–30 minutes depending on time of day.
Pro move: Test your daily loop—home → school → after‑school (Marvin‑Efird Park / greenway) → dinner (Waverly/Blakeney)—at your commute hours to confirm real timing.
Dining Near Marvin — Where Locals Actually Eat (Because There’s Very Little In‑Village)
One of Marvin’s charms is what you **don’t** see inside the Village: big commercial strips. Most dining is a short hop into South Charlotte or Waxhaw. That means you get quiet at home and options nearby when you want them.
Close & convenient districts:
- **Waverly (≈10 minutes)** — from Foxcroft Wine Co. to The Porter’s House, plus quick‑serve and cafés around a central green. Directory: https://www.waverlyclt.com/directory/
- **Blakeney (≈10 minutes)** — family‑friendly mix of restaurants, frozen treats, and services. Directory: https://www.shopblakeney.com/dining/
- **Rea Farms (≈10–15 minutes)** — Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse and more; growing roster. Directory: https://www.reafarmsclt.com/directory
- **The Bowl at Ballantyne (≈15 minutes)** — a new dining/entertainment hub with 15+ concepts around The Amp concert venue. Overview: https://thebowlnc.com/
Date nights & kid‑friendly routines:
- Park‑then‑dine: sunset walk at Marvin‑Efird Park → dinner at Waverly or Rea Farms.
- Concert nights at The Amp (Ballantyne) with pre‑show bites at North Italia, Postino, or Rooster’s (open at The Bowl).
Things to Do in and Around Marvin — Parks, Trails, Events, and Easy Weekend Adventures
Marvin is an outdoors‑first town. You’ll feel it in the trailheads tucked into neighborhoods, Saturday events at Marvin‑Efird Park, and the growing greenway network designed to make short trips bikeable or walkable.
Marvin highlights:
- **Marvin‑Efird Park** — natural trails, meadows, picnic areas, restrooms, a one‑of‑a‑kind redwood playground, community garden, and seasonal events like Movie Night and the Holiday Tree Lighting. https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Parks-Recreation/Marvin-Efird-Park
- **Marvin Loop & natural‑surface trails** — asphalt loop segments that connect to miles of wooded paths; ongoing extensions aim to stitch neighborhoods to the future Village Center. https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Parks-Recreation/Trails-Greenways
- **Community calendar** — stargazing nights, 5K & Fun Run, National Night Out, and the **Marvin Day** celebration. https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Parks-Recreation/Community-Events
Easy add‑ons nearby:
- **Blakeney & Waverly** for markets and music pop‑ups; **The Amp Ballantyne** for outdoor concerts; **Downtown Waxhaw** for festivals and the historic railroad bridge vibe.

Jobs & Opportunities — Live in Marvin, Work Ballantyne, SouthPark, or Uptown
Marvin’s career story is about proximity + calm. Many residents work in Ballantyne (finance, tech, professional services), SouthPark (corporate, retail/healthcare), or Uptown (banking, legal, consulting) and choose Marvin for space and schools. Hybrid schedules are common, and fiber internet is widespread in newer neighborhoods.
Commute basics:
- **Ballantyne** — 10–20 minutes depending on your neighborhood and time of day; concerts/events at The Bowl can be part of your weekday routine (https://www.goballantyne.com/ and https://thebowlnc.com/).
- **SouthPark** — 20–30 minutes via Rea Rd → I‑485 → Sharon Rd corridor.
- **Uptown Charlotte** — 35–45 minutes typical outside peak; plan around I‑485/I‑77 interchanges when timing matters.
Local/civic employment:
- **Village of Marvin** offers seasonal/part‑time roles tied to parks/events; Union County and UCPS provide broader public‑sector opportunities across the area.
Taxes in Marvin — Town + County (New FY26 Rates), Explained Clearly
Property tax bills in Marvin include the **Village of Marvin** municipal rate + **Union County’s** county rate. Rates are adopted with each budget cycle. As of FY 2025–2026, the Village lists a municipal rate of **$0.0563 per $100** of assessed value. Union County’s FY26 budget sets a total county rate of **$0.4342 per $100** under its new two‑fund model (combined), down from $0.5880 the prior year. Always confirm the current year and any applicable fire/solid‑waste district fees for a specific parcel before you buy.
Quick math example (illustrative only): On a $900,000 assessed value in Marvin, an estimate using the references above would be ≈ $4,429/year before district fees ($900,000 ÷ 100 × (0.0563 + 0.4342)).
Where to verify:
- Village of Marvin taxes page (current municipal rate & due dates): https://marvinnc.gov/Government/Taxes
- Union County FY26 budget news (total rate 43.42¢): https://www.unioncountync.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2425/14 and tax bills update: https://www.unioncountync.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2519/14
- NC Department of Revenue — county tax rates list: https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/property-tax/property-tax-rates/county-property-tax-rates-and-reappraisal-schedules
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