Charlotte's Economy & Demographics

Charlotte has been perceived as a banking town for many years. While it is true that Charlotte is the nation’s second-largest banking center, finance is not the largest industry or employment sector. This industry diversification along with a world-ranked international airport, low cost of doing business and superior quality of life lead companies to move and expand here.

Manufacturing, healthcare and the energy industry are key components of the Charlotte business community. Charlotte is known for being a can-do town. The public and private sectors have come together numerous times to work toward what is best for Charlotte. That partnership has helped build a strong sense of community.
The Charlotte-Metro region is home to 273 Fortune 500 Companies, seven of which are headquartered in Mecklenburg County.

The Charlotte region is a hub of activity. Visions are being created. Plans are being implemented. People are working together to accomplish goals that will preserve Charlotte as a great place to live and do business.

The results of our community’s vision, planning and teamwork were best captured by Governor Beverly Perdue in January 2011: “In my first two years as governor, we announced 37 times that companies are bringing new jobs to Mecklenburg County — a total of almost 8,000 new jobs. The fact that so many corporations choose to do business here is a testament to the top-ranked business climate in Charlotte and in North Carolina. Our investment in education, business friendly policies and aggressive recruiting continue to pay off.”

A variety of economic presentations may be found on our presentations page.

Cost of Living Data
Charlotte cost of living index (PDF)
Cost of living calculator

Census Data

Demographic information