Charlotte Fast Facts

Population   664,342     Nation's 20th largest city

8 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte ( sixth-most among U.S. cities)

$46,975 City median household income

35% of population age 24 or younger, 18% 55 or older

38.6% of residents hold bachelor's degree or higher( U.S. 25.1 percent)

Source:  The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte is the center of a vibrant sixteen county region that is among the fastest growing areas in the United States. A recent Census study shows that these sixteen counties added nearly 169,000 homes from 2000 through 2006. Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, ranked 92nd nationally in housing growth and Union County, to the south of Mecklenburg, ranked 21st in housing growth. 

Charlotte is known as one of the country's hottest places to make a living.  Charlotte's continued job growth has made the area a magnet for newcomers from all over the country.  From its traditional manufacturing and distribution bases, Charlotte has evolved into the second-largest banking center in the United States.  Two of the nation's largest banks, Bank of America and Wachovia, are headquartered in uptown Charlotte. 

Charlotte is a major distribution center because of its location at the intersection of I-77 and I-85.  The city will soon be encircled by another interstate: I-485.  Charlotte-Douglas Airport is the nation's 16th busiest in total operations and the largest hub for US Airways. 

Charlotte and the region are home to nine Fortune 500 companies.  Additionally, more than 300 Fortune 500 companies had facilities here in 2000.  Over 650 foreign-owned companies do business in Charlotte.  In the past 10 years, nearly 8500 firms have opened in Charlotte, bringing nearly 77,000 new jobs with them.  

Charlotte's healthy economy makes the area a great place to live and to raise a family. The city's benefits and amenities are available to those who choose to live in the small towns of the region.  The potential for small town life within an easy drive to great jobs, national sports and an abundance of cultural activities makes the Charlotte area an exciting place to live.