City · North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, city, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Charlotte had 964,784 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 874,579 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 903,844 (±208). GEOID 3712000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
964,784
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 874,579 · ACS 2020-2024: 903,844 ±208
Median household income
$82,068
±$1,299 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$385,700
±$4,266 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,612
±$16 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is Charlotte and what county is it in?
Charlotte is a city in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It covers 311.6 square miles of land, 2,807 residents per square mile in 2020.
Charlotte is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 11 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Charlotte, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 964,784 people lived in Charlotte on July 1, 2025, up 10.3% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 874,579 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 903,844 (±208).
| Measure | Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 903,844 ±208 | 1,154,681 | +46,419 |
| Households | 368,788 ±1,813 | 466,527 | +38,397 |
| Average household size | 2.41 ±0.01 | 2.44 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 399,305 ±1,136 | 503,071 | +39,926 |
Charlotte's population since 2000
From 540,828 in 2000 to 964,784 in 2025: up 78.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Charlotte as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Charlotte?
The median resident of Charlotte is 34.5 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 11.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 38.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 33.3%. 18.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.5 ±0.2 | 35.5 | +0.3 |
| Under 18 years | 22.7% ±0.2 pts | 22.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.0% ±0.1 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Male | 48.4% ±0.2 pts | 48.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.5% ±0.2 pts | 16.0% | +3.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 38.1% ±0.3 pts | 43.2% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 33.3% ±0.4 pts | 29.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.5% ±0.2 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±0.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 18.7% ±0.5 pts | 17.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 24.1% ±0.4 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7% ±0.2 pts | 5.0% | – |
| With a disability | 9.1% ±0.3 pts | 8.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.8% ±0.4 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.5% ±0.4 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 48.0% ±0.6 pts | 49.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.3% ±0.5 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.7% ±0.6 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0% ±0.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Charlotte earn?
Half of Charlotte's 368,788 households earn less than $82,068 a year (±$1,299), against $87,005 in Mecklenburg County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $77,309 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,760 after inflation. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,068 ±$1,299 | $87,005 | +$4,760 |
| Mean household income | $123,732 ±$2,086 | $128,782 | – |
| Per capita income | $51,814 ±$879 | $53,295 | +$5,048 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.7% ±0.5 pts | 10.4% | −1.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.8% ±1.2 pts | 14.8% | −1.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.9% ±0.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.0% ±0.3 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.6% ±0.4 pts | 94.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Charlotte?
Owners occupy 51.0% of Charlotte's occupied homes and renters 49.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $385,700 by its owner (±$4,266). The median renter pays $1,612 a month including utilities, and 40.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $385,700 ±$4,266 | $406,800 | +$114,578 |
| Median gross rent | $1,612 ±$16 | $1,627 | +$215 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.2% ±1.2 pts | 40.1% | +2.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,821 ±$25 | $1,893 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.0% ±0.7 pts | 55.1% | −1.9 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 49.0% ±0.7 pts | 44.9% | – |
| Housing units | 399,305 ±1,136 | 503,071 | +39,926 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.8% ±0.6 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.1% ±0.5 pts | 54.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.3% ±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5% ±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 18.0% ±0.5 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5% ±0.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% ±0.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Charlotte work and get to work?
57.4% of Charlotte's workers drive alone and 28.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Charlotte | Mecklenburg County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.6% ±0.5 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±0.3 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 57.4% ±0.7 pts | 58.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6% ±0.5 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9% ±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.7% ±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 28.8% ±0.7 pts | 28.5% | +21.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min ±0.3 | 25.1 min | −1.2 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Charlotte?
240 census tracts lie mostly in Charlotte, and 25 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $21,488 (Tract 23) to $250,000 or more (Tract 30.20).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 59.27Mecklenburg County | 7,930 | $93,596 |
| Tract 56.04Mecklenburg County | 7,628 | $37,143 |
| Tract 56.27Mecklenburg County | 8,946 | $73,798 |
| Tract 59.18Mecklenburg County | 7,478 | $150,000 |
| Tract 59.13Mecklenburg County | 7,269 | $69,464 |
| Tract 58.45Mecklenburg County | 7,014 | $131,934 |
| Tract 55.10Mecklenburg County | 6,955 | $67,089 |
| Tract 55.36Mecklenburg County | 6,629 | $72,891 |
| Tract 54.03Mecklenburg County | 6,583 | $65,182 |
| Tract 17.02Mecklenburg County | 6,569 | $72,619 |
| Tract 15.04Mecklenburg County | 6,294 | $57,580 |
| Tract 19.22Mecklenburg County | 5,992 | $60,214 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Charlotte) · Census block assignment files
How does Charlotte compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Charlotte is the 14th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
Charlotte ranks 127th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 1st | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 74th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th | 443 |
| Median household income | 127th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 64th | 443 |
| Median home value | 95th | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 47th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 220th | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 74th | 421 |
| Median age | 385th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 372nd | 443 |
| Work from home | 24th | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 204th | 439 |
Charlotte's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare Charlotte with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Charlotte?
2 of the 57 figures for Charlotte on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Charlotte are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Charlotte.