Surging Charlotte region growth rate now sees the same number of newcomers as Atlanta
Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s population growth isn’t showing any sign of slowing down, according to a new study from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
About 117 people moved to the region every day between July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, according to the report. That’s a four-person jump, from 113 people, from last year’s report. The year’s surge in population is among the highest in the past 15 years, according to the report.
The figure puts the region’s growth in line with Atlanta’s, which saw the same 117 number, and above similar-size cities such as Raleigh and Nashville, Tennessee. Raleigh saw 59 new residents a day, while Nashville had about 67 a day.
The Charlotte region mainly trails behind larger metropolitan areas such as Dallas and Houston, which saw 285 and 251 daily movers, respectively.
The Charlotte region covers the following counties in the alliance report: Alexander, Cabarrus, Chester, Chesterfield, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union and York.
Who’s moving to Charlotte?
Overall, about 500,000 people moved to Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the surrounding areas last year, the report found.
The state that sent the most newcomers here was Virginia, according to the alliance. About 45,365 Virginians made the move down south. Residents from New York and California also lead the list of transplants, bringing 40,561 and 37,922 new residents to Charlotte, respectively.
Also, about 78,512 international residents moved to the region in that time frame.
The report added that about 59,000 people moved to the area with a bachelor’s degree or higher, bringing the total to more than 687,000 people with a college degree living in the region.
What does all the growth mean for Charlotte?
The alliance said the region’s growth is indicative of the area’s appeal.
There’s the “vibrant culture, robust job market, and affordable cost of living” that makes the region a “perfect place for individuals and families looking for an area that has a balanced and prosperous lifestyle,” the report stated.
But that means the area needs to keep up with the impact of growth. Lines at the state’s DMV offices are getting longer and longer, with no clear solution in sight. Traffic woes are increasing and the city was recently ranked as the 16th most traffic-congested city in the states. The Charlotte airport is continuing to break travel records.
And “affordable housing” is subjective. In Mecklenburg County, 47% of renters and 20% of homeowners have difficulty affording their housing, according to a 2024 study by the North Carolina Housing Coalition.
But the alliance suggested that the increase in population will also bring attention to the city’s need for housing and services. It’s just a matter of when.
