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America's fastest-growing city has a message: "We're full"

Americans fled big cities for Charlotte. Then recreated one

News

As Charlotte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="barrels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/17/charlotte-population-nears-1-million-after-nation-leading-growth" data-vars-content-id="1420941c-c7f5-4f04-a75a-b87f34528cd4" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s fastest-growing city has a message: &quot;We&#x27;re full&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/17/charlotte-population-nears-1-million-after-nation-leading-growth" target="_self">barrels</a> toward a population of 1 million, the city of transplants and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unicorn natives" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/08/10/charlotte-unicorns-arent-so-rare-305204" data-vars-content-id="1420941c-c7f5-4f04-a75a-b87f34528cd4" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s fastest-growing city has a message: &quot;We&#x27;re full&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/08/10/charlotte-unicorns-arent-so-rare-305204" target="_self">unicorn natives</a> is uniting behind a common phrase:<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re full.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: Charlotte built a reputation as a place to escape more crowded, costlier cities. Now, residents fear rapid growth is recreating what they fled, from the Atlanta-scary traffic to the New York sticker shock.

Weekender: 31 things to do in Charlotte this Memorial Day weekend

Events happening May 22-25 include the Water Lantern Festival, Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series, Charlotte FC game, Soul Food Festival, concerts and parties.

Things to Do

Whether you&#x27;re headed to The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Coca-Cola 600" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/30/charlotte-biggest-may-events-2026" data-vars-content-id="ac4ba7d7-531c-4280-b13f-e6fa63731293" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 31 things to do in Charlotte this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/04/30/charlotte-biggest-may-events-2026" target="_self">Coca-Cola 600</a> or planning to check out the Water Lantern Festival, plenty is happening to keep you busy all three days of the holiday weekend.

50+ of the best indoor activities in Charlotte

Whether it’s too hot, cold or rainy, this is the guide for you.

Whether it’s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="too hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/20/charlotte-hottest-weekend-humidity-heat-wave-advisory" data-vars-content-id="0bd07521-b01a-4015-afb7-fce72218acdb" data-vars-headline="50+ of the best indoor activities in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/06/20/charlotte-hottest-weekend-humidity-heat-wave-advisory" target="_self">too hot</a>, cold or rainy, this is the guide for you.Here&#x27;s a list of more than 50 things to do inside in Charlotte to escape the elements, listed in no particular order.

Meet the founder: How L'Ostrica is making fine dining more accessible in Charlotte

Starting June 3, L'Ostrica is expanding its à la carte offerings and adding more flexibility to its tasting-menu experience.

Food and Drink

Before <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="L&#x27;Ostrica" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/10/18/hand-crafted-pasta-restaurant-market-lostrica-opening-montford-333046" data-vars-content-id="d4a99c78-5301-4252-b00e-9157e5e44445" data-vars-headline="Meet the founder: How L&#x27;Ostrica is making fine dining more accessible in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/10/18/hand-crafted-pasta-restaurant-market-lostrica-opening-montford-333046" target="_self">L&#x27;Ostrica</a> became one of Charlotte&#x27;s top fine dining destinations, owners Eric Ferguson and Cat Carter were eating oysters in Charleston and wondering what it might look like to open a restaurant of their own.<ul><li>Three years later, they opened the Montford tasting menu restaurant.</li></ul>

How Charlotte parents are tackling the summer child care puzzle

A Charlotte startup wants to make summer child care less stressful.

Two Charlotte moms are trying to help fellow parents and caregivers navigate the 12-week puzzle of summertime <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/06/30/family-friendly-activities-charlotte-330084" data-vars-content-id="21f2e6ba-b2f0-407f-ac19-2f154ee86821" data-vars-headline="How Charlotte parents are tackling the summer child care puzzle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/06/30/family-friendly-activities-charlotte-330084" target="_self">child care</a> through a scheduling platform called Summer Sanity. Why it matters: For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Summer Sanity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.summersanity.com/" data-vars-content-id="21f2e6ba-b2f0-407f-ac19-2f154ee86821" data-vars-headline="How Charlotte parents are tackling the summer child care puzzle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.summersanity.com/" target="_blank">Summer Sanity</a> co-founders Megan Petrik and Megan Spivey, it&#x27;s not just about sending your kids to camp, but rather trying to keep them with their friends when possible.

16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area

Mecklenburg County accounts for 105 of North Carolina's 930 private schools.

Charlotte&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/20/private-school-vouchers-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/20/private-school-vouchers-north-carolina" target="_self">private school</a> scene is expanding. We&#x27;ve rounded up the biggest private schools in the region, along with their tuitions, enrollment and other data.Why it matters: The number of students enrolled in private schools continues to rise across the state, jumping to 135,738 for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024-25" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/18150/open" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/18150/open" target="_blank">2024-25</a> school year, up from 131,230 for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2023-24" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/17191/open" data-vars-content-id="2af7c16f-de79-49ff-abca-86ff61e39064" data-vars-headline="16 of the biggest private schools in the Charlotte area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doa.nc.gov/media/17191/open" target="_blank">2023-24</a>, per state data.

10 kid-friendly restaurants in Charlotte that parents also love

Going out to eat with kids is fun but often requires some planning.

Parenting

We&#x27;ve compiled a list of 10 must-try kid-friendly restaurants around Charlotte that are delicious but also cool for parents and guardians.Why it matters: Dining out with kids is fun but often requires some planning. Does the restaurant have ample outdoor space for running around? Do the bathrooms have changing tables? Is there a kids&#x27; menu?

Indoor training facility for baseball, softball and lacrosse now open in Charlotte

Players' Athletic Club, a new indoor sports training facility, is now open just off Wendover Road.

Players Athletic Club (PAC), a new indoor sports training facility, is now open just off Wendover Road.Why it matters: Charlotte parents drive their kids all over Mecklenburg County and beyond for games and practices. Now many families have an option closer to home. Plus an indoor space means kids can get in reps <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regardless of the weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/07/07/indoor-things-to-do-in-charlotte-nc" data-vars-content-id="1b23da6d-78c5-4d8f-8c35-92c9e73fccc0" data-vars-headline="Indoor training facility for baseball, softball and lacrosse now open in Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/07/07/indoor-things-to-do-in-charlotte-nc" target="_self">regardless of the weather</a>.

How much Charlotte parents are spending on back-to-school shopping

Charlotte parents are spending more on back-to-school shopping than other Americans.

Many Charlotte parents will drop more than $700 to prepare their kids for the new school year, according to consulting giant Deloitte&#x27;s recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/back-to-school-survey.html" data-vars-content-id="5f025e83-25ee-42c5-a9a7-e5db73d78d16" data-vars-headline="How much Charlotte parents are spending on back-to-school shopping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/retail-distribution/back-to-school-survey.html" target="_blank">survey</a>.Why it matters: Families are feeling the blow of rising prices on everyday purchases, especially during this back-to-school season.

North Carolina child cares closing for a day of advocacy to address crisis

Child care facilities across North Carolina will close for a day (May 13), joining centers nationwide in pressing lawmakers about the need for more funding.

A growing number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care facilities across North Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/31/many-north-carolina-child-care-centers-could-close" data-vars-content-id="63dba08d-170c-4050-a133-d36efa62e1d8" data-vars-headline="North Carolina child cares closing for a day of advocacy to address crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/03/31/many-north-carolina-child-care-centers-could-close" target="_self">child care facilities across North Carolina</a> will close for a day (May 13), joining centers nationwide in pressing lawmakers about the need for more funding for the early childhood education industry.Why it matters: Those participating in the annual National Day Without Child Care are demanding living wages for providers, affordable care for families, an expanded child tax credit, and a child care system &quot;built on racial and gender equality,&quot; according to a statement from organizers.

How to talk to teens about fentanyl

From weed to cocaine, fentanyl is in everything. Here's how to talk about it with teens

Health

Traces of fentanyl, a deadly substance, are being found in almost every illegal drug seized nowadays, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say.<ul><li>That includes marijuana, as well as in fake Xanax or Percocets.</li><li>Just two milligrams of fentanyl — small enough to fit on a pencil tip — can be lethal.</li></ul>

Child care centers in Charlotte are “in crisis”

Editor’s note: We’ve updated this story to include survey results from the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council.

10 dos and don’ts during the baby formula shortage

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Charlotte is feeling the effects of the baby formula shortage.</h2>

Charlotte is in the midst of its own baby boom

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">As fertility rates have declined across the state and nationwide in recent years, Charlotte is experiencing an isolated baby boom of its own.</h2>