Get to know the Cornelius Library and surrounding community

The Cornelius Library is located in the town of Cornelius in northern Mecklenburg County.  According to the 2020 Census, the population of Cornelius is around 31,400, making it one of the largest towns in Mecklenburg County, similar in population to Mint Hill or Matthews. The Cornelius Library is located in the historic district of Cornelius, almost across the street from Cornelius Elementary School and not far from Cornelius Town Hall and Cornelius Police Department. A frequently recognized aspect of the Cornelius Library is the Mark Twain bronze statue on a bench that faces Catawba Avenue, designed by Cornelius sculptor Jon Hair.

One of the defining features of Northern Mecklenburg County is Lake Norman. Cornelius has the largest shoreline (about 70 miles) of all municipalities on the lake, and has great recreation opportunities and lake access at two of the most beautiful parks in Mecklenburg County, Jetton Park and Ramsey Creek Park. 

Cornelius has a sizable population of Hispanic origin and even has a grocery store, Tienda Maria, that offers Mexican and Latin American products. Some of the local international cuisine located in the area include Osito’s Tacos and Tortas and El Toro Mexican Grill & Bar, as well as Pho NC and Pho Nam.  About 9% of the population of Cornelius is foreign-born, according to the Census Bureau.    

There are many fun activities in Cornelius, including the Cain Center for the Arts, which offers a variety of arts experiences, including classes, workshops, camps, gallery exhibits, concerts and more. Cornelius also hosts a Jazz Festival in Smithville Park, featuring local jazz bands, food trucks, craft beer and children’s activities, as well as a Laketoberfest, featuring live music, food trucks and a kid’s zone with crafts and games. The Town of Cornelius offers events throughout the year with special themes. The YMCA for the North Mecklenburg region is also located in Cornelius and features a variety of programs for members. Another resource for newcomers to the area is The Neighborhood Care Center, which provides and/or coordinates with partners to provide programs and resources to anyone in need. 

New to Charlotte? Explore other neighborhoods through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library blog and WelcomeCLT, a digital space created for newcomers to Charlotte.

Resources:

• Town of Cornelius |21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC | 704-892-6031
• Jetton Park | 19000 Jetton Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031  | 980-314-1001
• Ramsey Creek Park | 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 980-314-1001
• Tienda Maria | 19816 S Main St, Cornelius, NC 28031  | 704-894-9700
• Osito’s Tacos & Tortas | 20700 N Main St, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-997-5773
• El Toro Mexican Grill & Bar | 20930 Torrence Chapel Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-997-2534
• Pho NC | 19420 Jetton Rd #104, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 980-729-3770
• Pho Nam | 18059 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-892-9133
• Cain Center for the Arts | 19725 Oak St, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-896-8823
• YMCA of Lake Norman | 21300 Davidson St #8553, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-716-4400
• Neighborhood Care Center | 19711 Smith Cir, Cornelius, NC 28031  | 704-255-5500

---

This blog post was written by Cameron Smith, branch manager for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.