Steele Creek is primarily considered to be a community and neighborhood in the southwestern part of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. It is generally defined geographically by the original boundaries of Steele Creek Township. Most of Steele Creek is within the city limits of Charlotte but the areas that have not yet been annexed are also recognized as a Township of North Carolina.
Population
The population of the Steele Creek community was 52,014 as of 2010, roughly two-thirds of which is now located within the City of Charlotte.
Early history
The Steele Creek community derives its name from the small creek bearing the same name. It is believed that name "Steele" was the family surname of Scotch-Irish immigrants who settled in the area in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The region was eventually designated as Steele Creek Township, one of the original 15 Townships of Mecklenburg County.
Modern history
In 1959, the North Carolina State Legislature revised laws that govern how cities may annex adjacent areas, allowing municipalities to annex unincorporated lands without permission of those residents. This change in North Carolina law led to adoption of an aggressive annexation policy by the City of Charlotte, which repeatedly expanded its borders by annexing land within Steele Creek Township, which had never been formally incorporated. Despite nearly two-thirds of Steele Creek being annexed by Charlotte, the region remained primarily rural farmland until the 2000s when significant infrastructure improvements greatly accelerated the effects of suburban sprawl. The widening of NC 49, the replacement of the old Buster Boyd Bridge, and the opening of I-485 has spurred tremendous growth in both residential and commercial development. Today Steele Creek is the fastest growing region of Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, with over a 70% population boom between 2000 and 2007.
Schools and libraries
School system
The first school in Steele Creek was founded in the 1780s. Today Steele Creek is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. CMS schools in Steele Creek include Olympic High, Kennedy Middle, Southwest Middle, Lake Wylie Elementary, Steele Creek Elementary, Winget Park Elementary, River Gate Elementary, Berewick Elementary and Palisades Park Elementary.
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Utilities
Water and Trash pick-up is mostly serviced by the city of Charlotte, though third-party companies do service some developments in the area. Electricity is provided by Duke Energy, which holds a monopoly. Natural gas is provided by Piedmont Natural Gas, which holds a monopoly. Data/Telephone/Television service is all offered by AT&T, Time Warner Cable, Windstream Communications, and Comporium Communications.
Health care
is a healthcare pavilion that includes a 24-hour emergency department. Patients that require long-term care are transferred to another hospital, such as Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville or Carolinas Medical Center. Outpatient services is also available at two Urgent Care centers. in the Berewick Town Center of Steele Creek offers the community access to expert physical therapists with services including physical therapy, dry needling, sports therapy and performance, and work injury recovery and prevention.
