City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Charlotte, NC

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

886,283
Residents
$78,438
Median income
$351,500
Median home
$1,686
Median rent (state)

Charlotte - the verdict

Nationally, Charlotte sits in the 60th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

60th
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Charlotte, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 886,283 residents in Charlotte, a mid-sized U.S. city within North Carolina. Median household income here is $78,438 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.4%. Typical homes in Charlotte are valued around $351,500, and the median resident age is 34.4 years. About 47.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 176 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,686 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 18.6 minutes, with 61.0% driving alone and 25.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

886,283 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$78,438 /yr

Poverty 8.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Charlotte compare to other US cities?

Charlotte measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Charlotte against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Charlotte toward the top of North Carolina's cities

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Charlotte ranks #51 - the 88th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Charlotte only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#169 of 700
76th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#51 of 746
88th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#115 of 708
84th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#395 of 746
47th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#98 of 746
87th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

60thIncome percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Charlotte's home value compares nationally

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

$351,500 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Charlotte $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 - Charlotte, NC Charlotte, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC median $78,438/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%
Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.1%

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

Population
886,283
Median Income
$78,438
Median Home Value
$351,500
Median Age
34.4
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Labor force participation
69.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.4%

Schools

Total Schools
176
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
850,000 residents900,000 residents950,000 residents1,000,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 874,907 residents 964,784 residents ▲ +10.3%
Charlotte's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.6 minutes
Drive Alone
61.0%
Carpool
8.1%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
25.5%
Other
1.5%

Based on 476,735 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 Charlotte 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

Raleigh
470,763 people
Greensboro
298,564 people
Durham
288,465 people
Winston-Salem
250,887 people
Fayetteville
209,692 people
Cary
176,686 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Charlotte's 886,283 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Indianapolis city (balance), IN
882,043 people
Columbus, OH
906,480 people
San Francisco, CA
836,321 people
Fort Worth, TX
941,311 people
Jacksonville, FL
961,739 people
Austin, TX
967,862 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Charlotte's $78,438 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gastonville, PA
$78,438 median income
Tabor, SD
$78,438 median income
Hawley, TX
$78,438 median income
Centerville borough (Washington County), PA
$78,446 median income
Waverly, IA
$78,429 median income
Sterling Heights, MI
$78,429 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 41.5% 34.1% 6.3% 8.8% 8.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.0% White 41.5% Black or African American 34.1% Asian 6.3% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.8% Two or more races 8.8% 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 Charlotte 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
Charlotte (this city) 886,283 $78,438
Raleigh 470,763 $82,424
Greensboro 298,564 $58,884
Durham 288,465 $79,234
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Charlotte, NC?

What is the population of Charlotte, NC? +

The population of Charlotte, NC stands at 886,283 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Charlotte households earn a median of $78,438 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Charlotte? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Charlotte; 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.

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

Charlotte's median home value sits at $351,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.