157 newcomers a day: Charlotte area sees record surge in daily population growth
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- Charlotte region added 157 new residents daily from July 2023 to July 2024.
- Migration surge driven by affordability, job growth and national connectivity.
- Proposed sales tax aims to fund transportation upgrades amid rising demand.
The net number of people moving to the Charlotte region on a daily basis has hit a staggering new high.
About 157 people moved to the region every day between July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance . That’s a 40-person jump, or 34% increase, from last year’s figure. And it’s a double-digit influx compared to previous single-digit growth numbers.
Going from 117 people to 157 people a day may feel surprising, but it tracks with what homebuilders, real estate investors and corporations have been saying: Charlotte is growing rapidly and more people want in on what the area has to offer.
A dive into Charlotte’s growth
The 157 figure is based on net migration using census data, according to the report. The report covers Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union, and in South Carolina, Chester, Chesterfield, Lancaster and York counties.
From July 2023 to July 2024, the region saw a net gain of 57,300 residents through migration both foreign and domestic.
But a majority of the new population isn’t settling in Charlotte, according to census data released in May.
From 2020 to last year, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Monroe and Fort Mill all saw higher percent changes in population than Charlotte, per the census.
Charlotte is still the epicenter center of growth, with a population of 943,476 and set to hit a million by 2028.
What’s bringing people to the Charlotte region?
Charlotte’s relative affordability, connectivity to other parts of the country and job growth are fueling people’s moves to the area, accordfing to Tracy Dodson, the alliance’s chief operating office
Take newcomers from New York City, a large force in people coming to the region . The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $4,036, according to Apartments.com. In Charlotte, that price is $1,486.
Dodson added that a number of businesses are looking at relocating from New York City to Charlotte, which is also fueling the migration. For example, New York City-based Citigroup is planning to hire 510 employees and invest $16 million to set up a division in Charlotte.
As far as job growth goes, Charlotte ranks first in the office-using job sector and is seeing growth in the automotive and advanced manufacturing industries. And Dodson said 60% of the country can be reached within a two-hour flight from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
How does Charlotte handle the influx of newcomers?
The alliance described the immense growth as a call to action, specifically from an infrastructure standpoint.
The report endorses the proposed 1% Mecklenburg County sales tax referendum, which would be used on road and public transportation projects.
Critics of the bill say it would disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. But the alliance maintains that the passage of the bill is vital to the city’s growth.
“As the Charlotte region continues to attract people from across the country and around the world, smart, forward-looking investments like the transportation referendum will be critical to sustaining that growth,” the report stated.
What do you think about Charlotte’s growth? Is it for the better or for worse? Are you thriving in the city? Let me know at dmathurin@charlotteobserver.com.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM.
