Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Air
The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 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',...
.
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 and the large volumes of freight moving in and out of the county via truck.Mecklenburg County is served daily by three Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
routes.
The Crescent
Crescent (Amtrak)
The Crescent is a passenger train operated by Amtrak in the eastern part of the United States. It runs daily from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana as train 19 and returns, on the same route, as train 20. Most of the route of...
train connects Charlotte with New York
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...
, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
, and 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...
to the north, and Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
and New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
to the south.
The Carolinian
Carolinian (train)
The Carolinian is a daily passenger train that runs between Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City. The northbound train 80 departs Charlotte station at 7:40am with intermediate North Carolina stops at Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, Raleigh, Selma,...
train connects Charlotte with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, 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...
and Greensboro.
The Piedmont
Piedmont (train)
The Piedmont is a twice daily passenger train that travels between Raleigh and Charlotte with a run time of 3 hours and 9 minutes, including intermediate stops at Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, and Kannapolis. It follows the same exact route and uses the same stations...
train connects Charlotte with Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro.
The Amtrak station
Charlotte (Amtrak station)
The Charlotte Amtrak Station in Charlotte, North Carolina is served by three passenger trains. The street address is 1914 North Tryon Street, about to the northeast of downtown Charlotte....
is located at 1914 North Tryon Street
Tryon Street
Tryon Street is a major north-south street of Charlotte, North Carolina. It traverses through the center of Uptown Charlotte and is the address for some of the city's tallest buildings like the Bank of America Corporate Center and Hearst Tower. U.S...
.
A new centralized multimodial train station, Gateway Station, has been planned. It is expected to house the future LYNX
LYNX Rapid Transit Services
Lynx Rapid Transit Services comprises a light rail line serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit System in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
Purple Line, the new Greyhound bus station, and the Crescent line that passes through Uptown Charlotte.
Mecklenburg County is also the proposed southern terminus for the initial segment of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor
Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor
The Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor is a passenger rail transportation project in the United States to extend high speed passenger rail services from Washington, DC south through Richmond and Petersburg in Virginia through Raleigh and Charlotte in North Carolina and connect with the existing...
operating between Charlotte and Washington, D.C. Currently in conceptual design, the SEHSR would eventually run from Washington, D.C. to Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
.
Light rail and mass transit
Light rail service in Mecklenburg County is provided by LYNX Rapid Transit ServicesLYNX Rapid Transit Services
Lynx Rapid Transit Services comprises a light rail line serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit System in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
. Currently a 9.6 miles (15.4 km) line running from Uptown
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
to Pineville
Pineville, North Carolina
Pineville 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....
, build-out is expected to be complete by 2034.
Charlotte Area Transit System
Charlotte 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,...
(CATS) bus service serves all of Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte, and the municipalities of Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill.
The vintage Charlotte Trolley
Charlotte Trolley
The Charlotte Trolley is a heritage streetcar which operates in Charlotte in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The line runs along the former Norfolk Southern right of way between Tremont Avenue in the Historic South End in a northerly direction to its terminus at 9th Street Uptown...
also operates in partnership with CATS.
Freight
Mecklenburg's manufacturing base, its central location on the Eastern Seaboard and the intersection of two major interstates in the county have made it a hub for the trucking industry.Major roadways
-
Interstate 77Interstate 77 in North CarolinaIn the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 77 is a Interstate Highway, which serves the city of Charlotte and the Western Piedmont.-Route description:... -
Interstate 85Interstate 85 in North CarolinaIn the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 85 scales the state for from the South Carolina border to the Virginia border. As the second-longest interstate in the state , it provides an important link between the cities of Atlanta, Georgia, Charlotte, Greensboro, Richmond, Virginia and... -
Interstate 277Interstate 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... -
Interstate 485Interstate 485Interstate 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... -
U.S. Highway 21U.S. Route 521U.S. Route 521 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from Georgetown, South Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina.-South Carolina:... -
U.S. Highway 29U.S. Route 29U.S. Route 29 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from the western suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, to Pensacola, Florida. This highway's northern terminus is at Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City, Maryland... -
U.S. Highway 74U.S. Route 74U.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... -
U.S. Highway 521U.S. Route 521U.S. Route 521 is an north–south United States highway that runs for from Georgetown, South Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina.-South Carolina:... -
North Carolina Highway 16 -
North Carolina Highway 24 -
North Carolina Highway 27 -
North Carolina Highway 49 -
North Carolina Highway 51 -
North Carolina Highway 73North Carolina Highway 73NC 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... -
North Carolina Highway 115North Carolina Highway 115North Carolina Highway 115 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs from U.S. 21 in north Charlotte north through Mecklenburg, Iredell and Wilkes counties. Its northern terminus is at its intersection with NC 18 and NC 268 in North Wilkesboro.-External links:**... -
Route 4Charlotte Route 4Route 4 is an 18.6-mile partial ring road around Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, marked along four-lane state-maintained secondary roads; it is sometimes considered to use Interstate 85 to complete the loop, though this part is not signed...
Economy
The major industries of Mecklenburg County are banking, manufacturingManufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
, and professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
services, especially those supporting banking and medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
.
Mecklenburg County is home to seven Fortune 500 companies, including 9th-ranked Bank of America
Fortune 500 Companies with headquarters in Mecklenburg County
| Name | Industry | Revenue | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 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... |
Banking | $119.2 billion | 9 |
| 2. | 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... |
Metals | $16.6 billion | 151 |
| 3. | 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:... |
Utilities | $13.1 billion | 204 |
| 4. | Sonic Automotive Sonic Automotive Sonic Automotive, Inc. is a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina and is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. The company was founded by NASCAR track owner Bruton Smith.... |
Automotive Retailing | $8.8 billion | 298 |
| 5. | 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.... |
Retail | $6.8 billion | 358 |
| 6. | Goodrich Goodrich Corporation The Goodrich Corporation , formerly the B.F. Goodrich Company, is an American aerospace manufacturing company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in Akron, Ohio in 1870 as Goodrich, Tew & Co. by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. The company name was changed to the "B.F... |
Aerospace/Defense | $6.5 billion | 375 |
| 7. | SPX SPX Corporation SPX Corporation is a Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturing firm. SPX's business segments serve developing and emerging end markets, such as global infrastructure, process equipment, and diagnostic tool industries. With corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, they have operations in... |
Electronics | $5.1 billion | 466 |
An eighth Fortune 500 company, 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...
, will retain its headquarters in Mecklenburg while its acquisition by Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells 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...
for $15.1 billion in stock is being completed. The Federal Reserve approved the merger on October 12, 2008.
Mecklenburg County's largest employer is Carolinas Healthcare System
Carolinas Healthcare System
Carolinas 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...
, with 26,283 employees, followed closely by Wachovia (20,000) and Bank of America (13,960).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 695,454 people, 273,416 households, and 174,986 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,322 people per square mile (510/km²). There were 292,780 housing units at an average density of 556 per square mile (215/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.02% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 27.87% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.35% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.15% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.01% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.55% from two or more races. 6.45% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race .
There were 273,416 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 36.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $50,579, and the median income for a family was $60,608. Males had a median income of $40,934 versus $30,100 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $27,352. About 6.60% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
Law, government and politics
Mecklenburg County is a member of the regional 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,...
.
The County has two governing bodies: the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Both are nine member boards, with six district representatives and three representatives elected at-large by the entire county. The current chairman of the Mecklenburg BOCC is Jennifer Roberts.
The residents of Mecklenburg County are provided emergency medical service by MEDIC, the Mecklenburg EMS Agency.
Mecklenburg County went for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in the 2008 United States Presidential Election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
by 61.8% to John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
's 37.4%.
School system
One common school district, Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-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...
(CMS), serves the entire county.
Colleges and universities
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- King's CollegeKing's College (North Carolina)King's College is a junior college in Charlotte, North Carolina.- Academics :King's College offers certificates and associate's degrees in business, healthcare, and technology.- Accreditation :...
- 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...
- 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....
- 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...
Libraries
The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg CountyPublic Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County , is the public library system of the city of Charlotte and County of Mecklenburg in North Carolina- About :...
serves residents of Mecklenburg County. Library cards from any branch can be used at all 20 locations. The library has an extensive collection (over 1.5 million items) of reference and popular materials including DVDs, Books on CD, best sellers, downloadable media, and books.
The Billy Graham Library
Billy Graham Library
The Billy Graham Library is a public museum and library documenting the life and ministry of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. The complex opened to the public on June 5, 2007. The library is located on the grounds of the international headquarters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in...
contains the papers and memorabilia related to the career of the well-known 20th century 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...
.
Museums and libraries
- ImaginOnImaginOnImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center is a collaborative venture of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and the Children's Theater of Charlotte located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This landmark learning center opened on October 8, 2005...
- Discovery PlaceDiscovery PlaceDiscovery 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...
- Discovery Place KIDS-HuntersvilleDiscovery PlaceDiscovery 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...
- Charlotte Nature MuseumDiscovery PlaceDiscovery 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...
- Carolinas Aviation MuseumCarolinas Aviation MuseumThe Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the...
- Charlotte Museum of History
- Charlotte Natural History Museum
- Billy Graham LibraryBilly Graham LibraryThe Billy Graham Library is a public museum and library documenting the life and ministry of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. The complex opened to the public on June 5, 2007. The library is located on the grounds of the international headquarters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in...
- NASCAR Hall of FameNASCAR Hall of FameThe 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,...
- Bechtler Museum of Modern ArtBechtler Museum of Modern ArtThe Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte, North Carolina is a 36,500 sq. ft. museum space dedicated to the exhibition of mid-20th-century modern art...
- McColl Center for Visual Art
- Mint Museum of Art
- Mint Museum of Modern Art - Opens Fall 2010
- Mint Museum of Craft + Design
- Levine Museum of the New SouthLevine Museum of the New SouthThe 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...
- Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
- Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg CountyPublic Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg CountyThe Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County , is the public library system of the city of Charlotte and County of Mecklenburg in North Carolina- About :...
Sports and entertainment
- Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe 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...
- Charlotte BobcatsCharlotte BobcatsThe 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...
- Charlotte Checkers
- Charlotte KnightsCharlotte KnightsThe 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...
- Charlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor SpeedwayCharlotte 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...
- Bank of America StadiumBank of America StadiumBank 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...
- Knights StadiumKnights StadiumKnights 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...
- American Legion Memorial StadiumAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumAmerican Legion Memorial Stadium is 21,000-capacity stadium located on 7th Street in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte, North Carolina. Memorial Stadium is mainly used for high school sporting events and also serves as a public venue...
Music and performing arts venues
- Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre CharlotteVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre CharlotteThe 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...
- North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterNorth Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterThe 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...
- Knight Theater
- ImaginOnImaginOnImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center is a collaborative venture of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and the Children's Theater of Charlotte located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This landmark learning center opened on October 8, 2005...
- Spirit Square
- Uptown Amphitheatre At the NC Music Factory
- The Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa
- Time Warner Cable Arena
- Ovens AuditoriumOvens AuditoriumOvens Auditorium is an auditorium located adjacent to Bojangles' Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Opened in 1955, Ovens has a seating capacity of 2,455, and has hosted over 7,500 events...
- Bojangles' Coliseum
Other attractions
- Latta Plantation
- Carolina Raptor Center
- U.S. National Whitewater CenterU.S. National Whitewater CenterThe 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....
- Lake NormanLake NormanLake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
- Lake WylieLake WylieLake Wylie is a reservoir, or man-made lake in the U.S. states of both South Carolina and North Carolina. The lake has a surface area of and features of shore line.-History:...
- Latta Plantation Nature Preserve
- Concord Mills Mall in Cabarrus County
- Northlake MallNorthlake 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....
- 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...
- Carolina Place MallCarolina Place MallCarolina 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:...
Notable residents
- Abraham AlexanderAbraham AlexanderAbraham Alexander was a public figure in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, during the American Revolution. He chaired the meetings that produced the radical Mecklenburg Resolves and, allegedly, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.-Early life:Alexander was probably born in Cecil County,...
(1717–1786), on the commission to establish town of Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte 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...
, North Carolina state legislator - Evan Shelby AlexanderEvan Shelby AlexanderEvan Shelby Alexander was a United States Democratic-Republican Party Congressman from North Carolina between 1806 and 1809....
, (1767–1809), born in Mecklenburg County, later United States Congressman from North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth 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... - Nathaniel AlexanderNathaniel AlexanderNathaniel Alexander was the 13th Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1805 to 1807.-Biography:Alexander was born near Concord, North Carolina , the son of a local sheriff...
, (1756–1808), born in Mecklenburg County, United States Congressman and governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of North Carolina - Romare BeardenRomare BeardenRomare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in several media including cartoons, oils, and collage.-Education:...
, 20th century African-American artist - Brigadier General William Lee DavidsonWilliam Lee DavidsonWilliam Lee Davidson was a North Carolina militia general during the American Revolutionary War.-Origins and education:His father moved with his family to Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1750, and William, the youngest son, was educated at Queen's Museum in Charlotte.-Military Campaigns:Active...
,(1746–1781), was a North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth 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...
militia general during the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. - Ric FlairRic FlairRichard 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....
, retired professional wrestler - Billy Graham, (born 1918), world-famous evangelistEvangelismEvangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
who has led religious revivals in many nations around the world. He has also served as a spiritual advisor to many U.S. Presidents. - Anthony HamiltonAnthony 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,...
, (born 1971), American R&B/soul singer - James K. PolkJames K. PolkJames 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...
, (1795–1849), 11th President of the United States. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County in 1795; his family moved to TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
when he was an adolescent. - Shannon SpakeShannon SpakeShannon Spake is a NASCAR correspondent for ESPN. Spake contributes to both NASCAR Countdown and NASCAR Now, and occasionally appears on SportsCenter to give pre and post-race reports...
, ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
NASCARNASCARThe 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...
correspondent
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mecklenburg County, North CarolinaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Mecklenburg County, North CarolinaThis list includes properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Click the "Map of all coordinates" link to the right to view a Google map of all properties and districts with latitude and longitude coordinates in the table...