Charlotte metropolitan area
Encyclopedia
The Charlotte metropolitan area (also Metrolina, Charlotte Metro, or Charlotte USA) is a metropolitan area
/region
of North
and South
Carolina
within and surrounding the city of Charlotte
. Located in the Piedmont
of the Southeastern United States
, the Charlotte metropolitan area is well-known for its auto racing history (especially NASCAR
) and is the United States' second largest banking and financial hub, behind New York City
. It is also the Carolinas' largest manufacturing region. The Charlotte MSA is the largest in the Carolinas and the sixth largest metropolitan area in the Southeastern region of the United States
, behind Miami, Atlanta, Washington, DC
, Tampa
, and Orlando.
The Charlotte-Concord
-Rock Hill
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is defined as five counties in North Carolina and one county in South Carolina. The population of the MSA was 1,330,448 at the 2000 Census; 2009 estimates place the population at 1,745,524. Charlotte is the 18th largest city and 33rd largest metro area in the United States.
The Charlotte-Gastonia
-Salisbury
Combined Statistical Area
(CSA) is a regional population area including parts of North Carolina and South Carolina with a 2008 population of 2,574,787. The aforementioned MSA is the only metropolitan area (as defined since 2003) included in the CSA, but there are six included micropolitan areas: Albemarle
, Lincolnton
, Shelby
and Statesville-Mooresville
in North Carolina and Lancaster
and Chester
in South Carolina. Additionally, Catawba and Alexander counties in North Carolina are sometimes counted in larger estimates of the region's true size due to their close proximity to the Charlotte Metro. They are technically a part of the Hickory
-Lenoir
-Morganton
Metropolitan Statistical Area (also known as The Unifour
). Adding these two counties along with Chesterfield County, S.C., to the aforementioned Charlotte CSA would yield a Regional 2006 estimated population of 2,424,333.
. The term does retain a marketing value, and is thus also used by many businesses in the area. Metrolina refers to the region that includes the cities of: Charlotte, Concord
, Gastonia
and Rock Hill
. The name Metrolina came into fashion when North Carolina's other two large metropolitan areas took on nicknames— the Triangle for Raleigh
/Durham
/Chapel Hill
and the Triad
for Greensboro
/Winston-Salem
/High Point
. (The Triad now goes by the name Piedmont Triad
to distinguish it from other tri-cities.)
The term Charlotte USA is sometimes also used as the metro's name, though again in more official and professional circles than in general public usage. The term is championed by the Charlotte Regional Partnership, a non-profit organization made up of both private- and public-sector members from throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Region J of the North Carolina Councils of Government, of which a majority of the Charlotte area municipalities and counties belong, uses the term Centralina in its body's name, Centralina Council of Governments
. This term, however, is used only sparingly among locals.
2010 Population (Census)
, or CATS, is the local public transit agency that operates bus service that serves Charlotte and its immediate suburban communities in both North and South Carolina. CATS also operates a light rail
line and is also building a commuter rail network as a supplement to its established bus transit throughout the region. Plans are for it to stretch initially to Mooresville, Pineville, Matthews, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport will be connected to the system by streetcar.
, I-77
, I-40
, I-277
, and I-485
. I-85 and I-77 intersect in North Charlotte
, with the transcontinental I-40 passing across the northern portion of the region (linked to Charlotte
and Gastonia
via I-77 and the US 321
freeway). Other major freeways include Independence Boulevard (east Charlotte to I-277), a portion of US 321 between Hickory and Gastonia, the proposed Garden Parkway
loop around Gastonia, and the proposed Monroe Connector and Monroe Bypass, each projected to cost over $1 billion per project.
Other important US highways in the region include: US 74
(east to Wilmington, west to Asheville and Chattanooga), US 52
(through the eastern part of the region), US 321 (through Chester, York, Gastonia, Dallas, Lincolnton and Hickory), US 601
(passing east of Charlotte) and US 70
(through Salisbury, Statesville and Hickory).
Primary state routes include NC/SC 49
, NC 16 (which extends north to West Virginia
), NC 73
, NC 150, NC 18, NC 24, NC 27, SC 9 and SC 5.
, Gastonia
, Hickory
, Monroe
, Statesville
, in North Carolina, as well as Rock Hill
in South Carolina.
begin along the western edge of the region; the descent (the fall line
) to the coastal plain
begins along the eastern edge. Amid this varied topography, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
and several state parks (Morrow Mountain, Crowders Mountain, South Mountains, Duke Power, Landsford Canal, Andrew Jackson) offer recreational possibilities, along with the Uwharrie National Forest
just east and northeast of Albemarle
, and the Sumter National Forest
at the southwest corner of the area. Kings Mountain National Military Park
is partially located in York County
and in Cherokee County
near Blacksburg, South Carolina
.
, Spirit Square, NASCAR Hall of Fame
, the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, The Mint Museums
, the Charlotte Museum Of History, Levine Museum of the New South
, the McGill Rose Garden
, and the Wing Haven Gardens. The Betchler Art Museum and Knight Theater in Uptown Charlotte are expanding the art venues in Charlotte.
Other places of interest in the Charlotte suburbs include the Schiele Museum (in Gastonia), Carowinds Theme Park (in Mecklenburg County, NC and York County, SC), Charlotte Motor Speedway
(in Concord), the Carolina Raptor Center (in Huntersville), Latta Plantation (in Huntersville), Brattonsville Historic District
(in McConnells), the North Carolina Transportation Museum
(in Spencer), Fort Dobbs
historical site (in Statesville), Catawba County Firefighters Museum
(in Conover
), the Arts & Science Center of Catawba Valley/Millholland Planetarium (in Hickory) the Museum Of York County (in Rock Hill), James K. Polk
historical site (in Pineville), , the Catawba Cultural Center (in York County), the Museum Of The Waxhaws (in Waxhaw), Glencairn Gardens (in Rock Hill), and the Reed Gold Mine (in Locust).
is located in the University City
area of Charlotte. The performing arts amphitheatre has hosted many popular music concerts. The U.S. National Whitewater Center
(USNWC) is the world’s premier outdoor recreation and environmental education center. Alongside mountain-biking and running trails, a climbing center, and challenge course, the park’s unique feature is a multiple-channel, customized whitewater river for rafting and canoe/kayak enthusiasts of all abilities.
The USNWC is only 10 minutes from downtown Charlotte and provides roughly 400 acres (1.6 km²) of woodlands along the scenic Catawba River. Olympic-caliber athletes, weekend warriors and casual observers share this world-class sports and training center.
Inspired by the successful Penrith Whitewater Stadium
built for the 2000 Olympics and the stadium built for the 2004 Athens Games, the USNWC is the world’s largest multi-channel recirculating whitewater river. The USOC has designated the USNWC an official Olympic Training Site.
, Northlake Mall
, and Overstreet Mall (all in Charlotte), Carolina Place Mall
(Pineville), Westfield Shoppingtown Eastridge (Gastonia), Rock Hill Galleria
(Rock Hill), Concord Mills
(Concord) and Valley Hills Mall
(Hickory).
Other important shopping malls in the area include Phillips Place (Charlotte), Plaza Fiesta (Fort Mill), Carolina Mall (Concord), Monroe Mall (Monroe), and Signal Hill Mall (Statesville).
Concord Mills is unique in that it does not feature the typical anchor store
s found at other malls; it focuses more on attracting outlet store
tenants. As of 2006, the mall is the state's largest tourist attraction, visited by over 15 million annually.
Alongside enclosed malls and strip centers are several other shopping districts. Several downtowns can claim an abundance of shopping options, along with restaurants and other entertainment, and a few other specific districts have emerged: Central Avenue, especially in the Plaza-Midwood
area; the NoDa
area of North Charlotte; and the Arboretum in southeast Charlotte (geographically, south), to offer a handful of examples. Several of these areas are at the center of the area's growing immigrant business communities.
in Fort Mill (home of the Charlotte Knights
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox
), Bank of America Stadium
(home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers
), and Time Warner Cable Arena (home of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats
, and the American Hockey League
's Charlotte Checkers). The Charlotte Eagles
of the United Soccer Leagues
call the area home, and the Kannapolis Intimidators
and Hickory Crawdads
are Single-A Minor-League Baseball teams located in this region.
Companies with headquarters in the region include Bank of America
, Belk
, BellSouth Telecommunications
, Bojangles'
, The Compass Group
, Carolina Beverage Corporation Inc. (makers of Sun Drop and Cheerwine
), Duke Energy
, Family Dollar
, Food Lion
, Harris Teeter
, Lance, Inc, LendingTree
, Lowe's
, Meineke Car Care Center
s, Muzak
, Nucor
, Transbotics, Royal & SunAlliance
(USA), Time Warner Cable
(a business unit of Fortune 500 company Time Warner), and Wachovia
.
Charlotte has gained fame as the second largest banking and finance center in the U.S., and the area's orientation towards emerging industries is seen in the success of the University Research Park (the 7th largest research park in the country) and the redevelopment of part of the Pillowtex site in Kannapolis as a biotech research facility featuring the participation of University of North Carolina at Charlotte
, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, Duke University
and North Carolina State University
.
, astronauts Charles Duke and Susan Helms, evangelist Billy Graham
, musicians Earl Scruggs
(Flatt & Scruggs), George Clinton
(Parliament, Funkadelic), Fred Durst
(Limp Bizkit), Prairie Prince
(The Tubes, Todd Rundgren, Utopia), Blind Boy Fuller
and Randy Travis
, independent filmmakers Tim Kirkman
(Loggerheads, Dear Jesse) and Ross McElwee
(Bright Leaves, Sherman's March), actor Randolph Scott
, actress Berlinda Tolbert
(she played Jenny on the long-running, classic 70's sitcom "The Jeffersons"), political figures Sue Myrick, Harvey Gantt
, Elizabeth Dole
and Jesse Helms
, U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson
and James K. Polk
, professional wrestling legends Ric Flair
and Ricky Steamboat, Christian rapper and professional tennis champion Alex Glass and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt
.
R&B singers Fantasia
, Anthony Hamilton
and K-Ci & JoJo of Jodeci
. Novelist, playwright and screenwriter Carson McCullers
was a Charlotte resident while writing her best known works. More recently, Reflections Studios in Charlotte played an important role in the emergent late-20th-century American musical underground - R.E.M.
, Pylon
, Let's Active
, Don Dixon and Charlotte's Fetchin Bones
(among many others) all recorded influential and acclaimed albums there. Charlotte-based Ripete and Surfside Records maintain important catalogs of regional soul and beach music, and the area has also played a role in the history of gospel, bluegrass and country music. The Milestone, one of the first punk clubs in the South, is located in west Charlotte, and in the past hosted legendary appearances from the likes of R.E.M., Black Flag
, The Minutemen, D.O.A.
, Bad Brains
, Charlotte's Antiseen
, and many others.
. Cleveland County belongs to the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission
and Alexander and Catawba counties belong to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments
.
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
/region
Region
Region is most commonly found as a term used in terrestrial and astrophysics sciences also an area, notably among the different sub-disciplines of geography, studied by regional geographers. Regions consist of subregions that contain clusters of like areas that are distinctive by their uniformity...
of North
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and South
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Carolina
The Carolinas
The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Together, the two states + have a population of 13,942,126. "Carolina" would be the fifth most populous state behind California, Texas, New York, and Florida...
within and surrounding the city of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Located in the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
of the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
, the Charlotte metropolitan area is well-known for its auto racing history (especially NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
) and is the United States' second largest banking and financial hub, behind New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It is also the Carolinas' largest manufacturing region. The Charlotte MSA is the largest in the Carolinas and the sixth largest metropolitan area in the Southeastern region of the United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
, behind Miami, Atlanta, Washington, DC
Washington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
, Tampa
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
, and Orlando.
The Charlotte-Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
-Rock Hill
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is defined as five counties in North Carolina and one county in South Carolina. The population of the MSA was 1,330,448 at the 2000 Census; 2009 estimates place the population at 1,745,524. Charlotte is the 18th largest city and 33rd largest metro area in the United States.
The Charlotte-Gastonia
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
-Salisbury
Salisbury, North Carolina
Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
(CSA) is a regional population area including parts of North Carolina and South Carolina with a 2008 population of 2,574,787. The aforementioned MSA is the only metropolitan area (as defined since 2003) included in the CSA, but there are six included micropolitan areas: Albemarle
Albemarle, North Carolina
Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,680 at the 2000 census. It is governed by Mayor Elbert L. "Whit" Whitley, Jr...
, Lincolnton
Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
, Shelby
Shelby, North Carolina
Shelby is a city in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 19,477 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cleveland County.-Geography:Shelby is located at ....
and Statesville-Mooresville
Iredell County, North Carolina
Iredell County, along with Moore County in the eastern Piedmont, are among a very few counties in the United States sharing borders with nine adjacent counties.-Demographics:...
in North Carolina and Lancaster
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
and Chester
Chester, South Carolina
Chester is a small city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,476 at the 2000 census and a center urban cluster population of 11,140...
in South Carolina. Additionally, Catawba and Alexander counties in North Carolina are sometimes counted in larger estimates of the region's true size due to their close proximity to the Charlotte Metro. They are technically a part of the Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
-Lenoir
Lenoir, North Carolina
Lenoir is a city in Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 18,228 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Caldwell County. Lenoir is located in the Blue Ridge foothills. The city also contains the Brushy Mountains, a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains...
-Morganton
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...
Metropolitan Statistical Area (also known as The Unifour
The Unifour
The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area or The Unifor, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties in the Catawba Valley region of western North Carolina...
). Adding these two counties along with Chesterfield County, S.C., to the aforementioned Charlotte CSA would yield a Regional 2006 estimated population of 2,424,333.
Nicknames and regional identity
The regional area around the city was at one time called Metrolina, a term which has fallen out of widespread general use, though it is still maintains a presence and is used by the North Carolina Department of TransportationNorth Carolina Department of Transportation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for building, repairing, and operating highways, bridges, and other modes of transportation, including ferries in the U.S. state of North Carolina.-History:...
. The term does retain a marketing value, and is thus also used by many businesses in the area. Metrolina refers to the region that includes the cities of: Charlotte, Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, Gastonia
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
and Rock Hill
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
. The name Metrolina came into fashion when North Carolina's other two large metropolitan areas took on nicknames— the Triangle for Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
/Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
/Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
and the Triad
Piedmont Triad
The Piedmont Triad, or Triad, is a north-central region of the U.S. state of North Carolina that consists of the area within and surrounding the three major cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This close group or "triad" of cities lies in the Piedmont geographical region of the...
for Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
/Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
/High Point
High Point, North Carolina
High Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
. (The Triad now goes by the name Piedmont Triad
Piedmont Triad
The Piedmont Triad, or Triad, is a north-central region of the U.S. state of North Carolina that consists of the area within and surrounding the three major cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This close group or "triad" of cities lies in the Piedmont geographical region of the...
to distinguish it from other tri-cities.)
The term Charlotte USA is sometimes also used as the metro's name, though again in more official and professional circles than in general public usage. The term is championed by the Charlotte Regional Partnership, a non-profit organization made up of both private- and public-sector members from throughout the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Region J of the North Carolina Councils of Government, of which a majority of the Charlotte area municipalities and counties belong, uses the term Centralina in its body's name, Centralina Council of Governments
Centralina Council of Governments
The Centralina Council of Governments is one of the 17 regional North Carolina Councils of Governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, it serves Iredell, Rowan, Lincoln, Gaston,...
. This term, however, is used only sparingly among locals.
Counties
The official Charlotte metropolitan area includes the Charlotte-Concord-Rock Hill MSA (Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Union and York counties), along with the following micropolitan areas: Albemarle, Chester, Lancaster, Lincolnton, Salisbury, Shelby, and Statesville-Mooresville. The Combined Statistical Area includes all of those entities. Charlotte, USA, includes all the CSA counties along with Alexander and Catawba counties of North Carolina. (Census Bureau definition for CSA)2010 Population (Census)
- Alexander County, NCAlexander County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 33,603 people, 13,137 households, and 9,747 families residing in the county. The population density was 129 people per square mile . There were 14,098 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
(37,198) - Anson County, NCAnson County, North Carolina-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Anson County, North Carolina-External links:*...
(26,948) - Cabarrus County, NCCabarrus County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 131,063 people, 49,519 households, and 36,545 families residing in the county. The population density was 360 people per square mile . There were 52,848 housing units at an average density of 145 per square mile...
(178,011) - Catawba County, NCCatawba County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 160,000 people, 55,533 households, and 39,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 354 people per square mile . There were 59,919 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
(154,358) - Chester County, SCChester County, South CarolinaChester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 34,068; in 2005 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had dropped to 33,228. Its county seat is Chester.-Geography and climate:...
(32,618) - Chesterfield County, SCChesterfield County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,768 people, 16,557 households, and 11,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 18,818 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
(42,882)
- Cleveland County, NCCleveland County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 98,078 people, 37,046 households, and 27,006 families residing in the county. The population density was 207 people per square mile . There were 40,317 housing units at an average density of 87 per square mile...
(98,078) - Gaston County, NCGaston County, North CarolinaGaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of...
(206,086) - Iredell County, NCIredell County, North CarolinaIredell County, along with Moore County in the eastern Piedmont, are among a very few counties in the United States sharing borders with nine adjacent counties.-Demographics:...
(159,437) - Lancaster County, SC (75,913)
- Lincoln County, NCLincoln County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
(78,265)
- Mecklenburg County, NCMecklenburg County, North Carolina-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
(919,628) - Rowan County, NCRowan County, North Carolina-Demographics and economics:As of the census of 2010, there were 138,428 people, 53,140 households, and 37,058 families residing in the county. The population density was 270.7 people per square mile . There were 60,211 housing units at an average density of 117.7 per square mile...
(138,428) - Stanly County, NCStanly County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 60,585 people. In 2000 there were 22,223 households, and 16,156 families residing in the county. The population density was 147 people per square mile . There were 24,582 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
(60,585) - Union County, NCUnion County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,677 people, 43,390 households, and 34,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile . There were 45,695 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile...
(201,292) - York County, SCYork County, South CarolinaYork County is a county located in the north-central section of the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to the 2010 census, the county's population was 226,073. It is the second largest county in the Charlotte metropolitan area...
(229,073)
Principal cities
- ConcordConcord, North CarolinaConcord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, Cabarrus 79,006 - GastoniaGastonia, North CarolinaGastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
, Gaston 71,059 - Rock HillRock Hill, South CarolinaRock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
, York 71,154
Suburban towns and cities over 10,000 in population
(including county and 2005 census bureau population estimates)- AlbemarleAlbemarle, North CarolinaAlbemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,680 at the 2000 census. It is governed by Mayor Elbert L. "Whit" Whitley, Jr...
, Stanly 15,903 - CorneliusCornelius, North CarolinaCornelius is a town located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 11,969 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cornelius is located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County...
, Mecklenburg 17,875 - HickoryHickory, North CarolinaHickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, Catawba 40,010 - HuntersvilleHuntersville, North CarolinaHuntersville is a large town in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, which makes Huntersville the 19th largest city in North Carolina. It is located about 12 miles north of uptown Charlotte. It is thought that the town...
, Mecklenburg 34,332 - Indian TrailIndian Trail, North CarolinaIndian Trail is a town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. Founded on March 12, 1861, the town holds a history of traders traveling along the "Indian Trail," which ran from Petersburg, Virginia, to the Waxhaw Indians, and gold mining. Indian Trail was first a farming community; however,...
, Union 15,610 - KannapolisKannapolis, North CarolinaKannapolis is a city in Cabarrus and Rowan counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, northwest of Concord and northeast of Charlotte. The population was 42,625 at the 2010 census, which makes Kannapolis the 20th largest city in North Carolina...
, Cabarrus & Rowan 38,547 - Kings MountainKings Mountain, North CarolinaKings Mountain is a small suburban city of Gastonia and Charlotte in Cleveland and Gaston counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,693 at the 2000 census....
, Cleveland & Gaston 10,634 - LincolntonLincolnton, North CarolinaLincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
, Lincoln 10,194 - MatthewsMatthews, North CarolinaMatthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The population was 27,198 according to the 2010 Census.- Geography :Matthews is located at ....
, Mecklenburg 23,897 - Mint HillMint Hill, North CarolinaMint Hill is a suburban town in southeastern Mecklenburg and northwestern Union counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, it is a major suburb on the outskirts of Charlotte and near the Cabarrus County line...
, Mecklenburg & Union 17,480 - MonroeMonroe, North CarolinaMonroe is a city in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 36,397 as of the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Union County and is also part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area.-Geography:...
, Union 36,397 - MooresvilleMooresville, North CarolinaMooresville is a large suburban town in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, USA. It is in the Metrolina metro area. The population was 32,133 at the 2010 United States Census...
, Iredell 32,000 - NewtonNewton, North CarolinaNewton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Catawba 12,995 - SalisburySalisbury, North CarolinaSalisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 33,663 in the 2010 Census . It is the county seat of Rowan County...
, Rowan 27,808 - ShelbyShelby, North CarolinaShelby is a city in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 19,477 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cleveland County.-Geography:Shelby is located at ....
, Cleveland 21,275 - StatesvilleStatesville, North CarolinaStatesville is a city located in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States and was named an All-America City in 1997 and 2009. The population was 24,633 at the 2010 census...
, Iredell 24,489
Suburban towns and cities under 10,000 in population
(Including county and 2004 Census Bureau population estimates)- AnsonvilleAnsonville, North CarolinaAnsonville is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 636 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ansonville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, Anson 626 - BadinBadin, North CarolinaBadin is a town located in Stanly County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,154.-Geography:Badin is located at 35°24'17" North, 80°6'57" West ....
, Stanly 1,127 - BelmontBelmont, North CarolinaBelmont is a small suburban city in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States, located about west of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina and east of Gastonia. The population was 8,705 at the 2000 census. Once known as Garibaldi, the city named in honor of August Belmont, a prominent New York banker...
, Gaston 8,786 - BelwoodBelwood, North CarolinaBelwood is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 962 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Belwood is located at ....
, Cleveland 996 - Bessemer CityBessemer City, North CarolinaBessemer City is a small suburban city in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,592 at the 2010 census. The city is approximately 6 miles northwest of Gastonia and 25 miles west of Charlotte...
, Gaston 5,120 - Boiling SpringsBoiling Springs, North CarolinaBoiling Springs is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 4,647. It is home to Gardner-Webb University. The Broad River runs along the south of the township, where the Broad River Greenway is located, providing recreational...
, Cleveland 3,851 - ChesterChester, South CarolinaChester is a small city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,476 at the 2000 census and a center urban cluster population of 11,140...
, Chester 6,273 - China GroveChina Grove, North CarolinaChina Grove is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,616 at the 2000 census. The town is located just north of Kannapolis, NC and south of Salisbury, NC.-Geography:China Grove is located at ....
, Rowan 3,694 - CherryvilleCherryville, North CarolinaCherryville is a small city in northwestern Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,361 at the 2000 census. The New Year's Shooters preserve the area's German heritage by honoring the custom of beginning each year with a chant and the shooting of muskets...
, Gaston 5,430 - ClevelandCleveland, North CarolinaCleveland is a town in the Cleveland Township of Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 808 at the 2000 census.It is named after Cleveland, England, but it is rumored that the town is actually named after Grover Cleveland after he visited the town during his presidential...
, Rowan 819 - CloverClover, South CarolinaClover is a town in York County, South Carolina, United States located in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area. As of July 2009, the population was at 5,158 within the town limits....
, York 4,054 - ConoverConover, North CarolinaConover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Catawba 8,180 - CramertonCramerton, North CarolinaCramerton is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and is also considered to be a suburb of Charlotte and Gastonia. The population was 2,976 at the 2000 census...
, Gaston 2,990 - DallasDallas, North CarolinaDallas is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina and a suburb of both Charlotte and Gastonia. The population was 3,402 at the 2000 census. It was named for George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States of America under James K. Polk.-Geography:...
, Gaston 3,403 - DavidsonDavidson, North CarolinaDavidson is a town in Mecklenburg County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 7,139 at the 2000 census. It is home to Davidson College...
, Mecklenburg & Iredell8,343 - EarlEarl, North CarolinaEarl is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 234 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Earl is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, Cleveland 236 - East SpencerEast Spencer, North CarolinaEast Spencer is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,755 at the 2000 census. This is the hometown of NBA guard Bobby Jackson.-Geography:East Spencer is located at ....
, Rowan 1,759 - Fairview, Union 4,122
- FaithFaith, North CarolinaFaith is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, incorporated in 1903. The population was 695 at the 2000 census.Since 1946, the town has hosted a Fourth of July celebration that has become notably large for a town of its population - running for several days and drawing visitors from many states....
, Rowan 699 - FallstonFallston, North CarolinaFallston is a hamlet in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 603 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fallston is located at ....
, Cleveland 612 - Fort LawnFort Lawn, South CarolinaFort Lawn is a town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 864 at the 2000 census.-Geography and Climate:Fort Lawn is located at ....
, Chester 844 - Fort MillFort Mill, South CarolinaFort Mill is a fast-growing suburban town in both York and Lancaster counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, and a suburb of the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Rock Hill...
, York 8,041 - Granite QuarryGranite Quarry, North CarolinaGranite Quarry is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,175 at the 2000 census.-Geography: Granite Quarry is located at ....
, Rowan 2,224 - Great FallsGreat Falls, South CarolinaGreat Falls is a town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,194 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Great Falls is located at ....
, Chester 2,121 - GroverGrover, North CarolinaGrover is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 698 at the 2000 census.-History:Grover is classified a small town where railway and highway routes 85 and 29 cross the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina. It was previously named Whitaker and...
, Cleveland 696 - HarmonyHarmony, North CarolinaHarmony is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 533 at the 2010 census. The town is located in northeastern Iredell County and lies in the eastern portion of the North Carolina High Country.-Geography:...
, Iredell 570 - HarrisburgHarrisburg, North CarolinaHarrisburg, a northeastern suburb of Charlotte, is a town in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,819 at the 2008 census.-Geography:Harrisburg is located at ....
, Cabarrus 4,925 - Heath SpringsHeath Springs, South CarolinaHeath Springs, incorporated in 1890, is a town in Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 864 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Heath Springs is located at ....
, Lancaster 863 - Hemby BridgeHemby Bridge, North CarolinaHemby Bridge is a town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 897 at the 2000 census. That figure was later corrected to a total population of 1,319 residents.-Geography:Hemby Bridge is located at ....
, Union 1,594 - Hickory GroveHickory Grove, South CarolinaHickory Grove is a town in York County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 337 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Hickory Grove is located at ....
, York 362 - High ShoalsHigh Shoals, North CarolinaHigh Shoals is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 729 at the 2000 census.-History:High Shoals was the location of the High Shoals Iron Works, founded by Swiss-born John Fulenwider in about 1795. Fulenwider developed one of the earliest methods of making pig...
, Gaston 744 - KershawKershaw, South CarolinaKershaw, incorporated in 1888, is a town in Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States and part of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States...
, Lancaster 1,638 - KingstownKingstown, North CarolinaKingstown is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kingstown is located at ....
, Cleveland 850 - Lake ParkLake Park, North CarolinaLake Park is a village in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake Park is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
, Union 2,444 - Lake WylieLake Wylie, South CarolinaLake Wylie is a census-designated place in York County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,061 at the 2000 census. Lake Wylie is located on a peninsula along the shore of Lake Wylie, a reservoir that was named for Dr. W...
, York 3,061 - LancasterLancaster, South CarolinaLancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
, Lancaster 8,472 - LandisLandis, North CarolinaLandis is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,996. The town is located just north of Kannapolis, NC and south of China Grove, NC.-Demographics:...
, Rowan 3,047 - LattimoreLattimore, North CarolinaLattimore is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 419 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lattimore is located at ....
, Cleveland 419 - LawndaleLawndale, North CarolinaLawndale is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, along the First Broad River. The population was 642 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lawndale is located at ....
, Cleveland 640 - LilesvilleLilesville, North CarolinaLilesville is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lilesville is located at ....
, Anson 445 - LocustLocust, North CarolinaLocust is a small rural city in Stanly and Cabarrus counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 2,416 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Locust is located at ....
, Stanly & Cabarrus 2,525 - Love ValleyLove Valley, North CarolinaLove Valley is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 90 at the 2010 census; a 2008 newspaper article in the Statesville Record & Landmark reported 117 residents.-Geography:...
, Iredell 33 - LowellLowell, North CarolinaLowell is a small city in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of both Charlotte and Gastonia. The population was 2,662 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowell is located at ....
, Gaston 2,663 - LowrysLowrys, South CarolinaLowrys is a town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 207 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Lowrys is located at ....
, Chester 203
- MarshvilleMarshville, North CarolinaMarshville is a town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. Its population was 2,360 at the 2000 census. Marshville is known as the birthplace of country music singer Randy Travis.-Geography:Marshville is located at ....
, Union 2,690 - MarvinMarvin, North CarolinaMarvin is an affluent village in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,039 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Marvin is located at ....
, Union 1,273 - McAdenvilleMcAdenville, North CarolinaMcAdenville, also known as Christmastown USA, is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and is considered to be a suburb of both Charlotte and Gastonia. The population was 619 at the 2000 census....
, Gaston 627 - McConnellsMcConnells, South CarolinaMcConnells is a town in York County, South Carolina, United States and a suburb of York, South Carolina The population was 287 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:McConnells is located at ....
, York 312 - McFarlanMcFarlan, North CarolinaMcFarlan is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 89 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Alan McFarland, a railroad official.-Geography:McFarlan is located at ....
, Anson 87 - MidlandMidland, North CarolinaMidland is a town in southern Cabarrus County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the south-central portion of the state, it lies in the region known as the Piedmont. The name of the town is derived from its location approximately one-half way between Charlotte and Oakboro on the...
, Cabarrus 2,729 - Mineral SpringsMineral Springs, North CarolinaMineral Springs is a town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,370 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mineral Springs is located at ....
, Union 1,728 - MisenheimerMisenheimer, North CarolinaMisenheimer, is an incorporated village in Stanly County, North Carolina. It is in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, near the city of Richfield....
, Stanly 617 - MooresboroMooresboro, North CarolinaMooresboro is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 314 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mooresboro is located at ....
, Cleveland 318 - MorvenMorven, North CarolinaMorven is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 579 at the 2000 census. The town was named after a mountain in Scotland.-Geography:Morven is located at ....
, Anson 570 - Mount HollyMount Holly, North CarolinaMount Holly is a small suburban city in northeastern Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The city is situated on the western bank of the Catawba River in the Southern Piedmont area of North Carolina, north of Interstate 85, south of North Carolina State Highway 16, and west of Charlotte....
, Gaston 9,639 - Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, North CarolinaMount Pleasant is a town located in eastern Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,259....
, Cabarrus 1,336 - New LondonNew London, North CarolinaNew London is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 326 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New London is located at ....
, Stanly 322 - NorwoodNorwood, North CarolinaNorwood is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,216 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norwood is located at ....
, Stanly 2,174 - OakboroOakboro, North CarolinaOakboro is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,198 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oakboro is located at ....
, Stanly 1,187 - Patterson SpringsPatterson Springs, North CarolinaPatterson Springs is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 620 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Patterson Springs is located at ....
, Cleveland 624 - PeachlandPeachland, North CarolinaPeachland is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 554 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Peachland is located at ....
, Anson 544 - PinevillePineville, North CarolinaPineville is a suburban town in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina situated in the Waxhaws district between Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina....
, Mecklenburg 3,643 - PolktonPolkton, North CarolinaPolkton is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,195.The town is named after its founder, Leonidas L...
, Anson 1,897 - PolkvillePolkville, North CarolinaPolkville is a small city in northwestern Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 535 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Polkville is located at ....
, Cleveland 537 - RanloRanlo, North CarolinaRanlo is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of both Charlotte and Gastonia. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,198.-Geography:Ranlo is located at ....
, Gaston 2,191 - RichburgRichburg, South CarolinaRichburg is a town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 332 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Richburg is located at ....
, Chester 325 - RichfieldRichfield, North CarolinaRichfield is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 515 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Richfield is located at ....
, Stanly 515 - RockwellRockwell, North CarolinaRockwell is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,971 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Rockwell is located at ....
, Rowan 1,976 - SharonSharon, South CarolinaSharon is a town in southwestern York County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census.-Geography and climate:Sharon is located at ....
, York 434 - SmyrnaSmyrna, South CarolinaSmyrna is a small town in Cherokee and York counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 45 at the 2010 United States Census, making Smyrna the smallest town in South Carolina.-Geography and climate:...
, York 63 - SpencerSpencer, North CarolinaSpencer is a town in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States, incorporated in 1905. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 3,355.-History:...
, Rowan 3,344 - Spencer MountainSpencer Mountain, North CarolinaSpencer Mountain is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 51 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Spencer Mountain is located at at the foothills of a mountainous ridge....
, Gaston 58 - StallingsStallings, North CarolinaStallings is a town in Union and Mecklenburg counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 3,189 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stallings is located at ....
, Union 3,666 - StanfieldStanfield, North CarolinaStanfield is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,113 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stanfield is located at ....
, Stanly 1,113 - StanleyStanley, North CarolinaStanley is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,053 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stanley is located at ....
, Gaston 3,085 - Tega CayTega Cay, South CarolinaTega Cay is a planned city in York County, South Carolina, United States. The city is a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina. The population was 4,044 at the 2000 census....
, York 4,264 - TroutmanTroutman, North CarolinaTroutman is a town in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,592 at the 2000 census. It is the home of NASCAR driver Josh Richeson.-Geography:Troutman is located at ....
, Iredell 1,677 - UnionvilleUnionville, North CarolinaUnionville is a town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,797 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Unionville is located at ....
, Union 6,053 - WacoWaco, North CarolinaWaco is a town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 328 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Waco is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, Cleveland 329 - WadesboroWadesboro, North CarolinaWadesboro is a town in Anson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,780 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Anson County.-Geography:Wadesboro is located at ....
, Anson 5,328 - WaxhawWaxhaw, North CarolinaWaxhaw is a town located in Union County, North Carolina. The population was 2,627 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:Waxhaw is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land...
, Union 3,046 - WeddingtonWeddington, North CarolinaWeddington is an influential town in Union County, North Carolina, United States. A small portion of the town extends into Mecklenburg County. The population was 6,696 at the 2000 census, and the 2005 estimate is 8,465.-Geography:...
, Union 7,982 - Wesley ChapelWesley Chapel, North CarolinaWesley Chapel is a village in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,549 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wesley Chapel is located at ....
, Union 3,175 - WingateWingate, North CarolinaWingate is a town in Union County, North Carolina and a suburb of the city of Charlotte. The population was 2,406 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wingate is located at ....
, Union 2,728 - YorkYork, South CarolinaYork is a small city in York County, South Carolina, United States. The city of York is also the county seat of York County. The population was approximately 6,985 at the 2000 census and the 2009 population estimate for the city...
, York 7,028
Unincorporated communities
(2000 census figures)- Boger CityBoger City, North CarolinaBoger City is an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 554 at the 2000 census, at which time it was erroneously listed as a census designated place.-Geography:...
, Lincoln 554 - DenverDenver, North CarolinaDenver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River...
, Lincoln 13,030 - ElginElgin, Lancaster County, South CarolinaElgin is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,426 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elgin is located at ....
, Lancaster 2,426 - EnochvilleEnochville, North CarolinaEnochville is a census-designated place in Rowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,851 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Enochville is located at ....
, Rowan 2,851 - Eureka MillEureka Mill, South CarolinaEureka Mill is a census-designated place in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,737 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Eureka Mill is located at ....
, Chester 1,737 - Frog Pond, Stanly, 650
- Gayle MillGayle Mill, South CarolinaGayle Mill is a census-designated place in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,094 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gayle Mill is located at ....
, Chester 1,094 - India HookIndia Hook, South CarolinaIndia Hook is a census-designated place in York County, South Carolina, United States and is considered to be a suburb of the city of Rock Hill and one of the three communities on Lake Wylie.The population was 2,051 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, York 1,614 - Indian LandIndian Land, South CarolinaIndian Land is a fast-growing suburb in the northern neck of Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. It lies just south of Ballantyne in southern Charlotte and east of Fort Mill. It is a major suburb of both Rock Hill and Charlotte. Its proximity to Ballantyne has enabled Indian Land to...
, Lancaster [Undetermined] - IrwinIrwin, South CarolinaIrwin is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,343 at the 2000 census.Irwin is known for its small mill homes...
, Lancaster 1,343 - JAARSJAARS, North CarolinaJAARS is a census-designated place in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 360 at the 2000 census.-Geography:JAARS is located at ....
Union 360
- Lancaster MillLancaster Mill, South CarolinaLancaster Mill is a census-designated place in Lancaster County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,109 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lancaster Mill is located at ....
, Lancaster 2,109 - LesslieLesslie, South CarolinaLesslie is a census-designated place located in York County, South Carolina and is a suburb of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the year 2010, Lesslie had a total population of 2,882 people. While Lesslie is sometimes considered to be a town it is not incorporated and does not have a town council...
, York 2,268 - Light OakLight Oak, North CarolinaLight Oak is a census-designated place in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 779 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Light Oak is located at ....
, Cleveland 779 - LowesvilleLowesville, North CarolinaLowesville is a census-designated place in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowesville is located at ....
, Lincoln 1,440 - NewportNewport, South CarolinaNewport is a Census-designated place in York County, South Carolina. Most of Newport is annexed into the city of Rock Hill, while parts are still located in York County, but Newport is still considered to be a CDP...
, York 4,033 - RiverviewRiverview, South CarolinaRiverview was a census-designated place in York County, South Carolina, United States, but is now annexed into the town of Fort Mill. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riverview is located at ....
, York 708 - South GastoniaSouth Gastonia, North CarolinaSouth Gastonia is an unincorporated community in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and is also considered to be a suburb of both cities of Charlotte and Gastonia...
, Gaston 5,433 - WestportWestport, North CarolinaWestport is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Westport Cove on Lake Norman in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population of the CDP was 2,006 at the 2000 census...
, Lincoln 2,006
Mass transit
The Charlotte Area Transit SystemCharlotte Area Transit System
The Charlotte Area Transit System, commonly referred to as CATS, is the public transit system in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It operates bus service around the Metrolina area and a historical trolley in Uptown Charlotte, and operates a light rail system, called LYNX which opened on November 24,...
, or CATS, is the local public transit agency that operates bus service that serves Charlotte and its immediate suburban communities in both North and South Carolina. CATS also operates a light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line and is also building a commuter rail network as a supplement to its established bus transit throughout the region. Plans are for it to stretch initially to Mooresville, Pineville, Matthews, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
. Charlotte-Douglas International Airport will be connected to the system by streetcar.
Roads
The Charlotte region is also served by 3 major interstate highways, and their 2 spurs: I-85Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
, I-77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
, I-40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
, I-277
Interstate 277 (North Carolina)
Interstate 277 is a loop in central Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern terminus is located on the southwest side of downtown. I-277 loops around the downtown area and reconnects with I-77/U.S. 21 north of uptown...
, and I-485
Interstate 485
Interstate 485 is an Interstate Highway and a nearly completed beltway around Charlotte, North Carolina.-Route description:The western, southern and eastern segments of the beltway are complete and open to traffic...
. I-85 and I-77 intersect in North Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
, with the transcontinental I-40 passing across the northern portion of the region (linked to Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
and Gastonia
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
via I-77 and the US 321
U.S. Route 321
U.S. Route 321 is a spur of U.S. Route 21. It runs for 526 miles from South Carolina to Tennessee. The northern terminus of U.S. 321 is between Lenoir City and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, at Interstate 40 exit 364, which is about 4 miles west of Interstate 40's junction with Interstate 75...
freeway). Other major freeways include Independence Boulevard (east Charlotte to I-277), a portion of US 321 between Hickory and Gastonia, the proposed Garden Parkway
Garden Parkway
The Garden Parkway is a proposed limited access toll road to be built in North Carolina, United States, that will pass through portions of Gaston County and Mecklenburg County.-Route description:...
loop around Gastonia, and the proposed Monroe Connector and Monroe Bypass, each projected to cost over $1 billion per project.
Other important US highways in the region include: US 74
U.S. Route 74
U.S. Route 74 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Cleveland, Tennessee to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.-Tennessee:Established in 1987, US-74 western terminus is exit 20 on I-75 in Cleveland...
(east to Wilmington, west to Asheville and Chattanooga), US 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
(through the eastern part of the region), US 321 (through Chester, York, Gastonia, Dallas, Lincolnton and Hickory), US 601
U.S. Route 601
Currently, there is one U.S. Route 601 Business loops in North Carolina:* Dobson – It is a route that goes through downtown Dobson, via Main Street.Historically, another business loop had existed in Concord .-See also:...
(passing east of Charlotte) and US 70
U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
(through Salisbury, Statesville and Hickory).
Primary state routes include NC/SC 49
South Carolina Highway 49
South Carolina Highway 49 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It traverses north–south from Watts Mill to the North Carolina state line, in Lake Wylie.-Route description:...
, NC 16 (which extends north to West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
), NC 73
North Carolina Highway 73
NC 73 is a state highway that extends for through south-central North Carolina in the United States. Most of the route is a two-lane highway that passes through both rural scenic areas; however, it also serves several small and moderate-sized cities in the state, including Concord and Albemarle...
, NC 150, NC 18, NC 24, NC 27, SC 9 and SC 5.
Air
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the 11th busiest in the country. In April 2007, Charlotte was the fastest growing airport in the US. CLT went on to surpass its sister US Airways hub in Philadelphia as one of the 30 busiest airports in the world in terms of passenger traffic. A new terminal to the northwest of the center of the airport will be built in the near future, possibly as a Caribbean/Latin America international terminal. CLT is also supplemented by regional airports in ConcordConcord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, Gastonia
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
, Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, Monroe
Monroe, North Carolina
Monroe is a city in Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 36,397 as of the 2010 census. It is the seat of government of Union County and is also part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area.-Geography:...
, Statesville
Statesville, North Carolina
Statesville is a city located in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States and was named an All-America City in 1997 and 2009. The population was 24,633 at the 2010 census...
, in North Carolina, as well as Rock Hill
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
in South Carolina.
Higher education
- Barber–Scotia College
- Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont Abbey CollegeBelmont Abbey College is a private liberal-arts Catholic college located in Belmont, North Carolina, USA west of Uptown Charlotte. It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey...
- Brookstone College of Business
- Carolinas College of Health SciencesCarolinas College of Health SciencesCarolinas College of Health Sciences is a public 2-year college located near downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. A subsidiary of Carolinas Medical Center and owned by Carolinas HealthCare System, the college offers educational programs leading to entry-level employment in health care...
- Catawba CollegeCatawba CollegeCatawba College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its current home of Salisbury...
- Catawba Valley Community CollegeCatawba Valley Community CollegeCatawba Valley Community College is a public community college in Hickory, North Carolina. The college, established April 3, 1958, is part of the North Carolina Community College System...
- Charlotte School of LawCharlotte School of LawCharlotte School of Law is a private, for-profit law school in Charlotte, North Carolina. The campus is located on the western edge of Uptown Charlotte. The school was founded in 2006. The school received full accreditation from the ABA on June 10, 2011.-Ranking:"U.S...
- Central Piedmont Community CollegeCentral Piedmont Community CollegeCentral Piedmont Community College is a large community college in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The school was founded in 1963; it is the result of a merger between Mecklenburg College and the Central Industrial Education Center....
- Cleveland Community CollegeCleveland Community CollegeCleveland Community College is a community college located in Cleveland County, North Carolina.It was established in 1965 as the Cleveland County Industrial and Adult Education Center with its first classes consisting of a Licensed Practical Nurse program, two extension classes, and adult basic...
- Clinton Junior College
- Davidson CollegeDavidson CollegeDavidson College is a private liberal arts college in Davidson, North Carolina. The college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked in the top ten liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine, although it has recently dropped to 11th in U.S. News...
- Gardner–Webb University
- Gaston CollegeGaston CollegeGaston College is a community college located in Dallas, North Carolina.Serving Gaston County and Lincoln County, Gaston College enrolls over 5,000 students each term in curriculum programs and about 16,000 students in continuing education programs...
- Appalachian Center at Hickory (formerly Hickory Metro Higher Education Center)
- Johnson & Wales UniversityJohnson & Wales UniversityJohnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, co-educational, career-oriented university with four campuses located throughout the United States. Providence, Rhode Island, USA, is home to JWU's first and largest of four currently operating campuses. Founded as a business school in 1914, by...
- Johnson C. Smith UniversityJohnson C. Smith UniversityJohnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
- King's College
- Lenoir-Rhyne University
- Livingstone CollegeLivingstone CollegeLivingstone College is a private, historically black, four-year college in Salisbury, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church...
- Mitchell Community CollegeMitchell Community CollegeMitchell Community College is a 2 year community college based in Historic Downtown Statesville, North Carolina.Its main campus is located in downtown Statesville, with many facilities located throughout the town. Mitchell also has a second campus located in Mooresville, North Carolina...
- N.C. Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory
- Pfeiffer UniversityPfeiffer UniversityPfeiffer University is a private university located in the village of Misenheimer near Richfield, North Carolina.- History :Pfeiffer originated from a home school operated by Miss Emily Prudden in the late 19th century...
- Queens University of CharlotteQueens University of CharlotteQueens University of Charlotte is a private, co-educational, comprehensive university located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has approximately 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students through the College of Arts and Sciences, the McColl School of Business, the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School...
- Rowan–Cabarrus Community CollegeRowan–Cabarrus Community CollegeRowan–Cabarrus Community College is a large community college in Rowan County, North Carolina and Cabarrus County, North Carolina...
- South Piedmont Community CollegeSouth Piedmont Community CollegeSouth Piedmont Community College is a community college located in North Carolina consisting of two campuses and an auxiliary center which serve the areas of Anson and Union counties in south-central North Carolina....
- Stanly Community CollegeStanly Community CollegeStanly Community College is one of 58 community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System . SCC is located in Albemarle, NC with a satellite campus in Locust, NC. This institution is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
- University of South Carolina LancasterUniversity of South Carolina LancasterThe University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public university located in Lancaster. It is one of the 4 regional USC campuses and is currently a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited two-year school in the USC System...
- Wingate UniversityWingate UniversityWingate University was founded by Baptists in 1896 as Wingate School, an independent, co-educational institution and became a four-year college in 1977. In 1996, Wingate College became Wingate University....
- Winthrop UniversityWinthrop UniversityWinthrop University is a public, four-year liberal arts university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. In 2006-07, Winthrop University had an enrollment of 6,292 students. The University has been recognized as South Carolina's top-rated university according to evaluations conducted by the South...
- York Technical CollegeYork Technical CollegeYork Technical College or simply York Tech is a 2-year community college in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA. The president of the college is Greg F. Rutherford. It is also a part of the South Carolina Technical College System and one of three colleges in the city of Rock Hill. York Tech was...
Nature and geography
The foothills of the Blue Ridge MountainsBlue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
begin along the western edge of the region; the descent (the fall line
Fall line
A fall line is a geomorphologic unconformity between an upland region of relatively hard crystalline basement rock and a coastal plain of softer sedimentary rock. A fall line is typically prominent when crossed by a river, for there will often be rapids or waterfalls...
) to the coastal plain
Coastal plain
A coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features. One of the world's longest coastal plains is located in eastern South America. The southwestern coastal plain of North America is notable for its species diversity...
begins along the eastern edge. Amid this varied topography, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located on of rolling meadows, woodlands and lakefront property in Belmont, North Carolina. Founded by Daniel J...
and several state parks (Morrow Mountain, Crowders Mountain, South Mountains, Duke Power, Landsford Canal, Andrew Jackson) offer recreational possibilities, along with the Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest is a federally-designated national forest region located primarily in Montgomery County, but also extending into Randolph and Davidson counties in south central North Carolina. It is the smallest of the four National Forests in North Carolina, with a total area of 50,369...
just east and northeast of Albemarle
Albemarle, North Carolina
Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,680 at the 2000 census. It is governed by Mayor Elbert L. "Whit" Whitley, Jr...
, and the Sumter National Forest
Sumter National Forest
The Sumter National Forest is one of two forests in South Carolina that are managed together by the United States Forest Service, the other being the Francis Marion National Forest. The Sumter National Forest consists of which are divided into several non-contiguous sections in western South...
at the southwest corner of the area. Kings Mountain National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park is a National Military Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina, along the North Carolina/South Carolina border...
is partially located in York County
York County, South Carolina
York County is a county located in the north-central section of the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to the 2010 census, the county's population was 226,073. It is the second largest county in the Charlotte metropolitan area...
and in Cherokee County
Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties. It is included in the Gaffney, South Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the county's...
near Blacksburg, South Carolina
Blacksburg, South Carolina
Blacksburg is a town in Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,848 at the 2010 census. The communities of Cherokee Falls, Kings Creek, Cashion Crossroads, Buffalo, and Mt...
.
Cultural attractions
Attractions in Charlotte include the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Cultural, Discovery PlaceDiscovery Place
Discovery Place is a science and technology museum for visitors of all ages located in the Uptown area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Discovery Place brings science to life through hands-on interactive exhibits, thrilling activities and experiments, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre, and...
, Spirit Square, NASCAR Hall of Fame
NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame honors drivers who have shown exceptional skill at NASCAR driving, all-time great crew chiefs and owners, and other major contributors to competition within the sanctioning body. NASCAR committed itself to building a Hall of Fame and on March 6, 2006, the city of Charlotte,...
, the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
The North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It opened in 1992 and is named in honor of the people of the state of North Carolina and the Blumenthal Foundation established by I.D. Blumenthal who founded RSC Brands, the largest private donor to the...
, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, The Mint Museums
Mint Museums
The Mint Museum is a cultural institution in Charlotte, North Carolina that comprises the Mint Museum RANDOLPH and the Mint Museum UPTOWN. Together these two locations have hundreds of collections showcasing art and design from around the globe.Kathleen V...
, the Charlotte Museum Of History, Levine Museum of the New South
Levine Museum of the New South
The Levine Museum of the New South, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a history museum focusing on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the American Civil War...
, the McGill Rose Garden
McGill Rose Garden (Charlotte, North Carolina)
McGill Rose Garden is a city supported park at 940 North Davidson Street in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina. It has been designated an All-America Rose Selections public garden, one of only 4 such gardens in all of North Carolina and one of only 53 in the entire United...
, and the Wing Haven Gardens. The Betchler Art Museum and Knight Theater in Uptown Charlotte are expanding the art venues in Charlotte.
Other places of interest in the Charlotte suburbs include the Schiele Museum (in Gastonia), Carowinds Theme Park (in Mecklenburg County, NC and York County, SC), Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
(in Concord), the Carolina Raptor Center (in Huntersville), Latta Plantation (in Huntersville), Brattonsville Historic District
Brattonsville Historic District
The Brattonsville Historic District is a historic district and unincorporated community in York County, South Carolina, USA. It includes three homes built between 1776 and 1855 by the Brattons, a prominent family of York County.-Contributing properties:...
(in McConnells), the North Carolina Transportation Museum
North Carolina Transportation Museum
The North Carolina Transportation Museum is a transport museum in Spencer, North Carolina.The museum is largely devoted to the state's railroad history, however its collection also includes exhibits of automobiles and aircraft....
(in Spencer), Fort Dobbs
Fort Dobbs
Fort Dobbs is the first of three westerns, directed by Gordon Douglas, which starred Clint Walker. Based on a screenplay by George W. George and Burt Kennedy, with black-and-white photography provided by William H...
historical site (in Statesville), Catawba County Firefighters Museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
(in Conover
Conover, North Carolina
Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,180 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
), the Arts & Science Center of Catawba Valley/Millholland Planetarium (in Hickory) the Museum Of York County (in Rock Hill), James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
historical site (in Pineville), , the Catawba Cultural Center (in York County), the Museum Of The Waxhaws (in Waxhaw), Glencairn Gardens (in Rock Hill), and the Reed Gold Mine (in Locust).
Entertainment
The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre CharlotteVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Charlotte is an outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina that specializes in hosting large concerts. The facility originally opened as the Blockbuster Pavilion in 1991, and largely replaced the Paladium Amphitheater at Carowinds as the premier outdoor...
is located in the University City
University City, Charlotte, North Carolina
University City is an edge city mostly within the city limits of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, surrounding the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus. It is found in northeastern Mecklenburg County, southeast of Interstate 85 and predominantly along University City Boulevard ...
area of Charlotte. The performing arts amphitheatre has hosted many popular music concerts. The U.S. National Whitewater Center
U.S. National Whitewater Center
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a non-profit outdoor recreation and athletic training facility for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking which opened to the public on November 4th, 2006....
(USNWC) is the world’s premier outdoor recreation and environmental education center. Alongside mountain-biking and running trails, a climbing center, and challenge course, the park’s unique feature is a multiple-channel, customized whitewater river for rafting and canoe/kayak enthusiasts of all abilities.
The USNWC is only 10 minutes from downtown Charlotte and provides roughly 400 acres (1.6 km²) of woodlands along the scenic Catawba River. Olympic-caliber athletes, weekend warriors and casual observers share this world-class sports and training center.
Inspired by the successful Penrith Whitewater Stadium
Penrith Whitewater Stadium
The Penrith Whitewater Stadium is located near Sydney, Australia. It is an artificial whitewater sporting facility which hosted the canoe/kayak slalom events at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The facility is part of the Penrith Lakes Scheme, which is converting open-pit sand and gravel mines...
built for the 2000 Olympics and the stadium built for the 2004 Athens Games, the USNWC is the world’s largest multi-channel recirculating whitewater river. The USOC has designated the USNWC an official Olympic Training Site.
Shopping
Regional-scale Shopping malls include SouthPark MallSouthPark Mall (Charlotte, North Carolina)
SouthPark Mall is an upscale shopping mall located in Charlotte, North Carolina. With , SouthPark Mall is the largest mall in Charlotte and the Carolinas. It is the 10th largest on the East Coast and is the 28th largest in the United States. The area around SouthPark Mall is the most congested...
, Northlake Mall
Northlake Mall (Charlotte)
Northlake Mall is an upscale shopping mall located eight miles north of center city Charlotte, North Carolina off of Interstate 77 at exit 18, Harris Blvd, and off of Interstate 485 at exit 21 Harris Blvd....
, and Overstreet Mall (all in Charlotte), Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall is a shopping mall located in Pineville, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. The mall is anchored by Sears, Belk, JCPenney, Dillard's, and Macy's.-History:...
(Pineville), Westfield Shoppingtown Eastridge (Gastonia), Rock Hill Galleria
Rock Hill Galleria
Rock Hill Galleria is an enclosed regional shopping mall for York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties. It is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Opened in 1991, the mall features 4 anchors and around 70 specialty shops located off Interstate 77, at exit 79. The mall is currently managed by Cypress...
(Rock Hill), Concord Mills
Concord Mills
Concord Mills is a nearly-1.4 million square foot shopping mall located in Concord, North Carolina. The mall is in Cabarrus County, just a few hundred feet from the Mecklenburg County border, and about from downtown Charlotte. One of two shopping malls in Concord, it was built & formerly...
(Concord) and Valley Hills Mall
Valley Hills Mall
Valley Hills Mall is a two-story regional shopping mall located in Hickory, North Carolina. It is owned by General Growth Properties and anchored by Belk, Dillard's, JC Penney, and Sears.- History :...
(Hickory).
Other important shopping malls in the area include Phillips Place (Charlotte), Plaza Fiesta (Fort Mill), Carolina Mall (Concord), Monroe Mall (Monroe), and Signal Hill Mall (Statesville).
Concord Mills is unique in that it does not feature the typical anchor store
Anchor store
In retail, an anchor store, draw tenant, anchor tenant, or key tenant is one of the larger stores in a shopping mall, usually a department store or a major retail chain....
s found at other malls; it focuses more on attracting outlet store
Outlet store
An outlet store or factory outlet is a brick and mortar or online retail store in which manufacturers sell their stock directly to the public. Traditionally, a factory outlet was a store attached to a factory or warehouse, sometimes allowing customers to watch the production process like in the...
tenants. As of 2006, the mall is the state's largest tourist attraction, visited by over 15 million annually.
Alongside enclosed malls and strip centers are several other shopping districts. Several downtowns can claim an abundance of shopping options, along with restaurants and other entertainment, and a few other specific districts have emerged: Central Avenue, especially in the Plaza-Midwood
Plaza-Midwood
Plaza-Midwood, is a neighborhood located approximately one mile to the northeast of Uptown in Charlotte, North Carolina. The neighborhood is roughly bound by Hawthorne Lane to the west, The Plaza to the north, Briar Creek Road and the Charlotte Country Club to the east and Central Avenue to the...
area; the NoDa
Nöda
Nöda is a municipality in the Sömmerda district of Thuringia, Germany....
area of North Charlotte; and the Arboretum in southeast Charlotte (geographically, south), to offer a handful of examples. Several of these areas are at the center of the area's growing immigrant business communities.
Sports
In addition to Charlotte Motor Speedway, there are plenty of other sports venues, including the Knights CastleKnights Stadium
Knights Stadium is the home of the International League's Charlotte Knights, the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. It was opened in 1990 and seats 10,002 fans. The park is actually across the state line from Charlotte, North Carolina in Fort Mill, South Carolina.Knights Stadium is easily...
in Fort Mill (home of the Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
), Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
(home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
), and Time Warner Cable Arena (home of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
, and the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Charlotte Checkers). The Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles
Charlotte Eagles is an American professional soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1991, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
of the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
call the area home, and the Kannapolis Intimidators
Kannapolis Intimidators
The Kannapolis Intimidators are a minor league baseball team in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The team is a Class Low-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and has played in the South Atlantic League under various names and team affiliations since its inception in 1995.-Team history:The Intimidators...
and Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
are Single-A Minor-League Baseball teams located in this region.
Commerce and employment
Among the largest employers in the area (listed in order by number of local employees) are:- Wells FargoWells FargoWells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
- Carolinas Healthcare SystemCarolinas Healthcare SystemCarolinas HealthCare System is a hospital network located throughout North and South Carolina. About 90% of the hospitals affiliated with the system are located within a 75 mile radius of Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina...
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is a local education agency headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the public school system for Mecklenburg County. With over 133,600 students enrolled, it is the second-largest school district in North Carolina and the twentieth-largest in the nation...
- Bank of AmericaBank of AmericaBank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
- City of CharlotteCHARLOTTE- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
- US AirwaysUS AirwaysUS Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
- Duke EnergyDuke EnergyDuke Energy , headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an energy company with assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.-Overview:...
- Presbyterian Healthcare
- Lowe'sLowe'sLowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
- AT&TAT&TAT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
- BelkBelkBelk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
- Family DollarFamily DollarFamily Dollar is a regional chain of variety stores in the United States. It opened in 1959 and operates approximately 6,617 stores in 44 states and the District of Columbia. It is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina....
- Food LionFood LionFood Lion LLC is an American grocery store company headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina that operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets in 11 Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states as well as Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia under the Food Lion, Harveys Supermarket, Bloom, Bottom Dollar...
- IBMIBMInternational Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
in University Research Park - Advance Auto PartsAdvance Auto PartsAdvance Auto Parts , headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, is the second-largest retailer of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. AAP was founded in 1932 and had 2008 sales of approx. $5.1B...
Companies with headquarters in the region include Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
, Belk
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
, BellSouth Telecommunications
BellSouth Telecommunications
BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC is the Bell Operating Company of AT&T that serves the southeastern United States. It absorbed the operations of South Central Bell in 1992....
, Bojangles'
Bojangles'
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits is a regional chain of fast food restaurants based in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializing in spicy, "Cajun" fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits...
, The Compass Group
Compass Group
Compass Group plc is a global contract foodservice and support services company headquartered near London, United Kingdom. It is the largest contract foodservice company in the world and has operations in over 50 countries...
, Carolina Beverage Corporation Inc. (makers of Sun Drop and Cheerwine
Cheerwine
Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink produced by the Carolina Beverage Corporation of Salisbury, North Carolina. It has been produced since 1917 by "the oldest continuing soft drink company still run by the same family".- Overview and history :...
), Duke Energy
Duke Energy
Duke Energy , headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an energy company with assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.-Overview:...
, Family Dollar
Family Dollar
Family Dollar is a regional chain of variety stores in the United States. It opened in 1959 and operates approximately 6,617 stores in 44 states and the District of Columbia. It is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina....
, Food Lion
Food Lion
Food Lion LLC is an American grocery store company headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina that operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets in 11 Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states as well as Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia under the Food Lion, Harveys Supermarket, Bloom, Bottom Dollar...
, Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter is a chain of supermarkets based in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. , the chain operates 207 stores in eight Southern states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.Harris Teeter is a...
, Lance, Inc, LendingTree
LendingTree
LendingTree is an online lending exchange. LendingTree is a web-based company that operates an online lending marketplace that facilitates matching borrowers and lenders...
, Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
, Meineke Car Care Center
Meineke Car Care Center
Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. is a franchise-based automotive repair chain.In 1972 in Houston, Texas, Sam Meineke and Harold Nedell began with only one store and a single product line. Between 1972 and 2003 Meineke was owned by a multinational British company and grew rapidly...
s, Muzak
Muzak
Muzak Holdings LLC is a company based in metro Fort Mill, South Carolina, United States, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1934, Muzak Holdings is best known for distribution of background music to retail stores and other companies....
, Nucor
Nucor
Nucor Corporation , a Fortune 300 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, and the largest of the "mini-mill" operators...
, Transbotics, Royal & SunAlliance
Royal & SunAlliance
RSA Insurance Group plc , commonly known as RSA, is a global general insurance company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It has over 20 million customers in 36 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and South America....
(USA), Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
(a business unit of Fortune 500 company Time Warner), and Wachovia
Wachovia
Wachovia was a diversified financial services company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets...
.
Charlotte has gained fame as the second largest banking and finance center in the U.S., and the area's orientation towards emerging industries is seen in the success of the University Research Park (the 7th largest research park in the country) and the redevelopment of part of the Pillowtex site in Kannapolis as a biotech research facility featuring the participation of University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
and North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
.
People
Entrepreneur Jarrial Astor StokesArtist Romare BeardenRomare Bearden
Romare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in several media including cartoons, oils, and collage.-Education:...
, astronauts Charles Duke and Susan Helms, evangelist Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
, musicians Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs
Earl Eugene Scruggs is an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo-picking style that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music...
(Flatt & Scruggs), George Clinton
George Clinton (funk musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
(Parliament, Funkadelic), Fred Durst
Fred Durst
William Frederick "Fred" Durst is an American musician, director, producer and actor, well known as the frontman of the band Limp Bizkit.-Early life:...
(Limp Bizkit), Prairie Prince
Prairie Prince
Prairie Prince is a rock drummer. He was a member of The Tubes and a founding member of Journey...
(The Tubes, Todd Rundgren, Utopia), Blind Boy Fuller
Blind Boy Fuller
Blind Boy Fuller was an American blues guitarist and vocalist. He was one of the most popular of the recorded Piedmont blues artists with rural Black Americans, a group that also included Blind Blake, Josh White, and Buddy Moss.-Life and career:Fulton Allen was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina,...
and Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
, independent filmmakers Tim Kirkman
Tim Kirkman
Writer and director Tim Kirkman was born on November 2, 1966 in Monroe, North Carolina, the third child of a public school educator and a music teacher, and spent his childhood in nearby Wingate, North Carolina....
(Loggerheads, Dear Jesse) and Ross McElwee
Ross McElwee
Ross McElwee is an American documentary filmmaker and cinematographer, and Harvard professor, known for his autobiographical films about his family and personal life, usually interwoven with an episodic journey of some sort. Many cultural aspects of his southern upbringing are present in his...
(Bright Leaves, Sherman's March), actor Randolph Scott
Randolph Scott
Randolph Scott was an American film actor whose career spanned from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of genres, including social dramas, crime dramas, comedies, musicals , adventure tales, war films, and even a few...
, actress Berlinda Tolbert
Berlinda Tolbert
Berlinda Tolbert is an American actress best known for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson on The Jeffersons. She also appeared in the film Harlem Nights. She was born one day after actor Mike Evans, the man who played her boyfriend/husband Lionel Jefferson in The Jeffersons. They were both born...
(she played Jenny on the long-running, classic 70's sitcom "The Jeffersons"), political figures Sue Myrick, Harvey Gantt
Harvey Gantt
Harvey Bernard Gantt is an American architect and Democratic politician active in North Carolina. He was Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987, and ran twice for the United States Senate....
, Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
and Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
, U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
and James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
, professional wrestling legends Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Richard Morgan Fliehr is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ric Flair. Also known as "The Nature Boy", Flair is one of the most well-known professional wrestlers in the world....
and Ricky Steamboat, Christian rapper and professional tennis champion Alex Glass and NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
.
R&B singers Fantasia
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
, Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton (musician)
Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
and K-Ci & JoJo of Jodeci
Jodeci
Jodeci is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & Jojo,...
. Novelist, playwright and screenwriter Carson McCullers
Carson McCullers
Carson McCullers was an American writer. She wrote novels, short stories, and two plays, as well as essays and some poetry. Her first novel The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts of the South...
was a Charlotte resident while writing her best known works. More recently, Reflections Studios in Charlotte played an important role in the emergent late-20th-century American musical underground - R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Pylon
Pylon (band)
Pylon is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The band's danceable jangle pop sound influenced the Athens music scene and the 1980s American pop underground. Allmusic wrote that Pylon's "role as elder statesmen of the alternative rock explosion is unassailable".-History:All four members of...
, Let's Active
Let's Active
Let's Active was an American rock musical group formed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1981.-History:The principal songwriter and sole continuous member of Let's Active was Mitch Easter, who kept the band active through most of the 1980s. The band's musical style is sometimes referred to as...
, Don Dixon and Charlotte's Fetchin Bones
Fetchin Bones
Fetchin Bones was a cross-genre rock band from North Carolina. During a five-year career they produced four albums but were most celebrated for their consistently inspired live performances. As one reviewer put it they were "a band that must be seen live for a full grasp of their eclectic frenzy"...
(among many others) all recorded influential and acclaimed albums there. Charlotte-based Ripete and Surfside Records maintain important catalogs of regional soul and beach music, and the area has also played a role in the history of gospel, bluegrass and country music. The Milestone, one of the first punk clubs in the South, is located in west Charlotte, and in the past hosted legendary appearances from the likes of R.E.M., Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, The Minutemen, D.O.A.
D.O.A. (band)
D.O.A. is a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, Bad Brains, Teen Idles, and Minor Threat. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to...
, Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
, Charlotte's Antiseen
Antiseen
Antiseen is an American punk rock band formed in Charlotte, North Carolina by vocalist JeffClayton and guitarist Joe Young, the sole members to have remained for the entire existence of the group...
, and many others.
Government
A majority of the municipalities and counties in the North Carolina parts of the Charlotte metropolitan area belong to the Centralina Council of GovernmentsCentralina Council of Governments
The Centralina Council of Governments is one of the 17 regional North Carolina Councils of Governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, it serves Iredell, Rowan, Lincoln, Gaston,...
. Cleveland County belongs to the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission
Isothermal Planning and Development Commission
The Isothermal Planning and Development Commission is one of the 17 regional North Carolina Councils of Governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, it serves Polk,...
and Alexander and Catawba counties belong to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments is one of the 17 regional North Carolina Councils of Governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, it serves Caldwell, Burke, Alexander,...
.
See also
- I-85 CorridorI-85 CorridorThe I-85 Corridor is a multi-state region that follows Interstate 85 across the Southeastern United States. It stretches from Montgomery, Alabama to Petersburg, Virginia...
- Piemdont AtlanticPiedmont Atlantic MegaRegionThe Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion is the name given to an area of the Southeastern United States that includes the Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Birmingham, Upstate South Carolina, Piedmont Triad, and Raleigh-Durham metropolitan areas. The megaregion generally follows the Interstate 85/20 corridor...
- Piedmont CrescentPiedmont CrescentThe Piedmont Crescent, also known as the Piedmont Urban Crescent, is a large, polycentric urbanized region in the U.S. state of North Carolina that forms the northern section of the rapidly developing I-85 Corridor megalopolis in the southeastern United States...
- The UpstateThe UpstateThe Upstate is the region in northwestern South Carolina, United States, also known as The Upcountry, which is the historical term. Although loosely defined among locals, the general definition includes the 10 counties of the commerce-rich I-85 corridor in the northwest corner of South Carolina. ...
- Rock Hill, South Carolina Area