Number of people moving to Charlotte region each day takes hit
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The number of people moving to the Charlotte region every day has fallen from 157 to 135, according to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Why it matters: The Alliance's average movers number, updated annually, is one of the most-cited population statistics in the city, deployed at pitches to companies looking at expansions and by longtime residents frustrated with growth.
- The group attributes the dip largely to the nationwide decline in immigration, which Axios previously reported on.
Flashback: This year's report is the first decline in the Alliance's closely watched figure in years. The number started climbing after the pandemic propelled migration to the Sun Belt states.
The big picture: This year, international migration in the U.S. plummeted from about 2.8 million people to 1.3 million, about a 55% drop.
- In the Charlotte region, international migration fell 33%, with 18,966 people moving to the area. That's about 10,000 fewer than the year prior, according to the Alliance's report.
- "I see this as a short-term blip," says Tracy Dodson, the Alliance's COO and head of economic development.
By the numbers: The Charlotte region still added 49,324 residents between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025 — roughly 135 people per day, excluding births.
- Charlotte, as a city, still topped the Census' list this year for fastest numeric population growth in the U.S.
What they're saying: "We're trending in a direction that people want to be in this region, and that is what grows our economy," Dodson says. "As long as we can keep up with that growth, then we're sitting in a good place."
Zoom out: People are mostly coming from places like New York City, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles for jobs, quality of life and relative affordability.
- "I want to own a home, and I want to have all those things that most Americans want to have, and it couldn't be in L.A.," Dodson says she was told by a newcomer. "Quality of life is a big factor."
- The Charlotte region added 17,000 net new jobs between July 2024 and July 2025. More are expected to come as Scout Motors, SMBC and other companies continue to expand and hire or relocate thousands of roles.
Threat level: With growth comes strain on housing supply and infrastructure and risks to the cost of living.
- Between 2024 and 2025, the region added 28,366 housing units, per the Alliance's report. However, the shortage of affordable homes is widening, now exceeding 40,000 units.
What we're watching: Dodson says the Alliance is paying attention to the cost of living, as that's a factor companies consider when comparing Charlotte to a rival market.
- She adds that the mobility sales tax passed last year and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bonds will help the transportation and school systems keep up. The Alliance advocated for both.
- "If transportation had not passed last year, I think it would feel very different," she says.
The bottom line: Even with a dip in immigration, the Charlotte region is still growing faster than its competitor markets and even some states.
Go deeper: NC falls in business ranking as growth hurts affordability