Charlotte region’s soaring growth rate now includes the same number of newcomers as Atlanta

Population growth in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region shows no signs of slowing down, according to a new study by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

According to the report, about 117 people moved to the region each day between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. That’s an increase of four people, compared to 113 people in last year’s report. This year’s population growth is among the highest in the past 15 years, the report said.

That number puts the region’s growth on par with Atlanta, which reported the same number of 117, and above similarly sized cities such as Raleigh and Nashville, Tennessee. Raleigh reported 59 new residents per day, while Nashville had about 67 per day.

The Charlotte region lags behind larger metropolitan areas such as Dallas and Houston, which reported 285 and 251 daily cases, respectively.

The Charlotte region includes the following counties in the alliance’s report: Alexander, Cabarrus, Chester, Chesterfield, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union and York.

Who’s moving to Charlotte?

About 500,000 people moved to Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the surrounding area last year, the report shows.

The state that sent the most newcomers here was Virginia, according to the alliance. About 45,365 Virginians moved south. New Yorkers and Californians also led the list of transplants, bringing 40,561 and 37,922 new residents to Charlotte, respectively.

Additionally, approximately 78,512 citizens of other countries moved to the region during this period.

The report added that some 59,000 people moved to the area with a bachelor’s degree or higher, bringing the total number of people with a college degree living in the region to more than 687,000.

What does all this development mean for Charlotte?

The Alliance said the region’s development was proof of its attractiveness.

The region is characterized by a “vibrant culture, a strong job market, and an affordable cost of living,” the report said, making it “an ideal place for individuals and families looking for a place to live a sustainable and prosperous lifestyle.”

But that means the area has to keep up with the impact of growth. Lines at the state DMV are getting longer, with no clear solution in sight. Traffic problems are growing, and the city was recently ranked as the 16th most congested city in the country. Charlotte’s airport continues to break travel records.

And “affordable housing” is subjective. In Mecklenburg County, 47% of renters and 20% of homeowners struggle to afford housing, according to a 2024 study by the North Carolina Housing Coalition.

But the alliance suggested that population growth will also put a premium on the city’s need for housing and services. It’s just a matter of time.