Charlotte, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charlotte, North Carolina had a total population of 903,844, the 1st largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $82,068, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Charlotte is the 1st largest city in North Carolina with a population of 903,844.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in North Carolina (diversity index: 71/100).
Charlotte Quick Facts
How Charlotte Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 903,844 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $78,438 | $82,068 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $351,500 | $385,700 | +9.7% |
How Charlotte Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charlotte Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Mecklenburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntersville | 63,969 | $120,516 | 3.1% | $472,900 |
| Cornelius | 32,783 | $113,767 | 5.4% | $559,400 |
| Matthews | 30,577 | $108,611 | 3.7% | $445,100 |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | 8.4% | $428,900 |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | 4.8% | $428,000 |
| Davidson | 15,660 | $166,556 | 7.0% | $687,700 |
| Weddington | 13,805 | $190,766 | 4.0% | $824,100 |
| Pineville | 11,055 | $69,354 | 13.8% | $395,100 |
| Midland | 4,860 | $101,477 | 4.1% | $369,100 |
Cities Similar to Charlotte
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | $415,800 | 54.0% | 11.9% |
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | 57.3% | 11.7% |
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | $244,800 | 41.0% | 17.0% |
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | 39.5% | 17.7% |
| Fayetteville | 210,815 | $58,407 | $188,000 | 29.0% | 17.7% |
Population Overview
Charlotte is a major urban center located in North Carolina, within Mecklenburg County. The total population is 903,844. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charlotte is 34.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charlotte is $82,068. This is 13% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $385,700. Housing costs are 34% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Charlotte is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 33.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (33.3% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.5% vs 11.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.5% vs 3.3%).
Education
48.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charlotte, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Charlotte, North Carolina?
Charlotte, North Carolina has a population of 903,844 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charlotte, NC?
The median household income in Charlotte is $82,068, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charlotte, NC?
The poverty rate in Charlotte is 11.7%. This means approximately 103,649 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charlotte, North Carolina?
Charlotte's population is 38.1% White, 33.3% Black, 17.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charlotte, NC?
The median home value in Charlotte is $385,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Charlotte, North Carolina?
48.0% of adults (25+) in Charlotte hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.