Mecklenburg County’s population hits new high, led by immigrant residents, Census shows
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg region being recognized as one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S. isn’t simply hyperbole.
And a majority of that growth is due to international migration, according to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data.
Between July 2023 and July 2024, about 30,000 new residents made Mecklenburg County their home. That increased the county’s population to 1,206,285 people.
Going back further, the county’s population has grown by 8% since April 2020 with the addition of 90,750 people.
Most of the county’s new residents are immigrants. Of the county’s 30,057 newcomers, about 65% hail from other parts of the world, mainly from Latin America and Asia.
About 52,154 immigrants have moved to the county since April 2020.
The numbers for Charlotte metro
Stepping into the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area, the population increased by 2.2% from July 2023 to July 2024. That’s an increase of about 61,176 people, bringing the population up to over 2.9 million people.
Going back to 2020, the metro’s population grew by 8.4% or an increase of 215,000 people.
Out of the nation’s 387 metro areas that the census tracks, Charlotte metro ranks 11th in annual growth and 9th in cumulative growth from April 2020 to July 2024.
The metro area, according to the census, includes Mecklenburg County and the surrounding seven counties in North Carolina: Catawba, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan and Union. The region also includes Chester, Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina.
The growth can be attributed to the region’s appeal in terms of relative affordability compared to northern states and the job opportunities in the growing tech and industrial sector, according to a previous study by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. The study showed about 117 people moved to Charlotte-Mecklenburg region daily between between July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023.
A large portion were immigrants but others moved from Virginia, New York and California.
And the impact of that growth can be seen at the state’s DMV offices, on roadways and at Charlotte-Douglas Airport, which continues to break travel records.
The immigrant population
Previously released census data showed that about 190,648 people in Mecklenburg County are foreign-born. In the Charlotte metro region, about 308,900 are immigrant residents.
The Census Bureau defines a “foreign-born” person as someone who was born outside of the U.S. and its territories to non-American parents. The census also doesn’t ask people their legal immigration status.
People from Latin America make up the largest portion of foreign-born residents in both Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte MSA, with a population of about 94,479 and 156,278, respectively.
Latin Americans are from nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, according to the census.
Central Americans lead the Latin population with 63,330 people in Mecklenburg County.
A large factor in the growth of Latin Americans stems from community but also affordability. Historically, the population would settle in port cities such as New York. But as those cities become more expensive, the population has traveled down south for more affordable options.
Asians are the second largest foreign-born residents in both Mecklenburg County and the Charlotte MSA with 53,745 and 86,187 people, respectively.
Another reason for the growth in the immigration population could be attributed to more foreign businesses setting up shop in the region. More than 1,000 international businesses call the Charlotte region home, according to the business alliance.
Where else is growth occurring?
Iredell County had the highest annual population growth in the Charlotte region, increasing by 3%. More than 6,000 people moved to Iredell from July 2023 to July 2024.
Mecklenburg County had the second highest growth during the same time range at 2.5%. Stanly and Union Counties followed with 2.2%.
Iredell, Lincoln and Union counties all saw over 9% growth from April 2020 to July 2024. Lincoln County experienced the highest percentage change in growth at 12% — meaning more than 10,400 people moved into the area.
Iredell and Union followed with 9.9% and 9.8%, respectively.
Catawba and Gaston Counties saw minimal annual growth at 1.2% and 1.6%, respectively. However, in the four-year period, Gaston saw a 5.8% increase, bringing its population from 228,625 to 242,010.
This doesn’t include growth in the nearby South Carolina counties.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
