The vibrant and dynamic city of Charlotte is one of the South’s hottest cities! Charlotte’s unique combination of urban sophistication, suburban lifestyle, and southern hospitality make it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike.
More than 792,000 people make their home in Charlotte, where low taxes, affordable housing, and positive job growth draw thousands of new residents each year. Charlotte continues to be one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, reporting a 7.8% increase in population over a three-year period from 2010 to 2013.
Known for its progressive, friendly business environment, Charlotte is one of the nation’s leading centers for banking and finance. The city is home to more than 68,000 national, regional, and locally owned businesses, based primarily in banking, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare and powered by an educated workforce comprised of approximately 72% of the city’s adult population.
Charlotte’s exceptional quality of life is bolstered by attractive neighborhoods, quality healthcare, top-rated schools, and world-class recreation and entertainment. The city boasts two professional sports teams, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets, and is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a premier stock car racing facility that hosts the annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600, and Bank of America 500.
Uptown Charlotte features numerous nightclubs, restaurants, and museums that include the Levine Center for the Arts, Discovery Place, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For family-friendly entertainment, Carowinds is a 398-acre theme park/water park that features more than fifty rides and attractions that include the Intimidator, the fastest and tallest rollercoaster in the Southeast, and Boomerang Bay, a waterpark featuring waterslides, wave pools, a lazy river, beach volleyball, and more.
Outdoor sports and recreation lovers will delight in the host of exciting activities and amenities offered by the U.S. National Whitewater Center. A premier sports adventure facility, the 700-acre center features kayaking, whitewater rafting, paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip lining, hiking, mountain biking, and more in a unique environment centered around the world’s largest artificial whitewater river.
Centrally located at the junction of I-77 and I-85, with air service by Charlotte Douglas International Airport and rail service by Amtrak, it is easy to see why Charlotte is nicknamed the “International Gateway to the South.”