Founded: circa 1750 (incorporated 1768)
Head Official: Mayor Patrick McCrory (R) (since 1995)
City Population
1980: 315,474
1990: 419,558
2000: 540,828
2003 estimate: 584,658
Percent change, 1990–2000: 28.9%
U.S. rank in 1980: 47th
U.S. rank in 1990: 35th (State rank: 1st)
U.S. rank in 2000: 33rd (State rank: 1st)
Metropolitan Area Population
1980: 971,000
1990: 1,162,000
2000: 1,499,293
Percent change, 1990–2000: 29.0%
U.S. rank in 1980: 36th
U.S. rank in 1990: 34th
U.S. rank in 2000: 34th
Area: 242.87 square miles (2000)
Elevation: Ranges from 730 to 765 feet above sea level
Average Annual Temperature: 60.1° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 43.1 inches
Major Economic Sectors: wholesale and retail trade, services, manufacturing
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (December 2004)
Per Capita Income: $26,823 (1999)
2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 49,052
Major Colleges and Universities: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Davidson College
Daily Newspaper: The Charlotte Observer