Charlotte's population to increase by more than 50% by 2050
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The Charlotte region's population will explode from 3 million to 4.6 million people over the next 25 years, according to new research from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Why it matters: Mecklenburg and surrounding counties have a lot of infrastructure work to do ahead of this influx of new neighbors, from adding housing to expanding transit.
- It's faster growth than we've seen in the past. From 2001 to 2025, the population grew by 962,324, per CLT Alliance's report.
By the numbers: Mecklenburg County is expected to grow to 1.7 million people, with 600,000 new residents by 2050.
- Lancaster County will see the biggest boom — a 71% increase in population.
The big picture: Again and again, studies rank the Charlotte area as one of the fastest-growing places in the country. U-Haul reports it's one of the top destinations for their moving trucks. U.S. Census Bureau data shows some of the largest gains in new residents.
- Most of the alliance's predicted growth is in Mecklenburg, York, Union and Iredell counties. That mirrors a national trend of Americans migrating to suburbs outside big cities, especially in the South.
How it works: The alliance's research team analyzed data from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management and South Carolina Department of Revenue, according to a press release.
- Charlotte Regional Business Alliance will use this data to advocate for transportation investments and attract companies to the region.