County · North Carolina
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Mecklenburg County had 1,233,383 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 305 census tracts. GEOID 37119.
Mecklenburg County is one of the 11 counties of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,233,383
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,115,482 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,154,681
Median household income
$87,005
±$1,162 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$406,800
±$4,752 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,627
±$14 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Mecklenburg County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,115,482 residents in Mecklenburg County. The Census Bureau estimates 1,233,383 for July 1, 2025, up 10.6% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 1,154,681 over 524 square miles of land.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,154,681 | 10,730,404 | +80,206 |
| Households | 466,527±1,677 | 4,282,345 | +55,430 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.01 | 2.44 | −0.14 |
| Housing units | 503,071±213 | 4,895,668 | +57,784 |
Mecklenburg County's population since 2000
From 695,454 in 2000 to 1,233,383 in 2025: up 77.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Mecklenburg County?
Mecklenburg County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Charlotte with 964,784 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Charlotte | 874,579 | $82,068 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntersville | 61,376 | $120,516 |
| Cornelius | 31,412 | $113,767 |
| Matthews | 29,435 | $108,611 |
| Mint Hill | 26,450 | $100,860 |
| Davidson | 15,106 | $166,556 |
| Pineville | 10,602 | $69,354 |
| Stallings | 16,112 | $115,974 |
| Weddington | 13,181 | $190,766 |
| Midland | 4,684 | $101,477 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Mecklenburg County?
The median resident of Mecklenburg County is 35.5 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 43.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.7%. 17.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.5±0.1 | 39.1 | +0.4 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.0% | 11.3% | +2.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 43.2%±0.1 pts | 60.0% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.7%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.3 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 17.3%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.3%±0.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±0.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 8.9%±0.3 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.5%±0.3 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±0.3 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 49.2%±0.5 pts | 35.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.9%±0.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Mecklenburg County earn?
Half of Mecklenburg County's 466,527 households earn less than $87,005 a year (±$1,162), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $82,015 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,990 after inflation. 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $87,005±$1,162 | $72,388 | +$4,990 |
| Mean household income | $128,782±$1,803 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $53,295±$732 | $41,385 | +$5,521 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.4%±0.4 pts | 13.0% | −1.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.8%±1.0 pts | 17.7% | −1.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.7%±0.4 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.1%±0.3 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Mecklenburg County?
Owners occupy 55.1% of Mecklenburg County's occupied homes and renters 44.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $406,800 by its owner (±$4,752). The median renter pays $1,627 a month including utilities, and 40.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $406,800±$4,752 | $288,900 | +$113,895 |
| Median gross rent | $1,627±$14 | $1,228 | +$217 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.1%±1.0 pts | 39.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,893±$19 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 55.1%±0.6 pts | 66.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Housing units | 503,071±213 | 4,895,668 | +57,784 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5%±0.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 54.8%±0.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.8%±0.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.2%±0.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 many new homes is Mecklenburg County building?
Builders took permits for 7,496 new housing units across Mecklenburg County in 2025 (3,747 single-family), 6.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Mecklenburg County get to work?
58.6% of Mecklenburg County's workers drive alone and 28.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.0%±0.3 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.2 pts | 4.7% | −0.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 58.6%±0.6 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±0.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.7%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.7%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 28.5%±0.6 pts | 16.3% | +20.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min±0.3 | 25.1 min | −1.3 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 are Mecklenburg County's census tracts?
Mecklenburg County is divided into 305 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,488 (Tract 23) to $250,000 or more (Tract 30.20).
All 305 census tracts of Mecklenburg County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Mecklenburg County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 15th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 100 |
| Median household income | 9th of 100 |
| Median home value | 6th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 1st of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 84th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 100 |
| Median age | 95th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Mecklenburg County 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' school search.