Charlotte remains one of the fastest-growing places in the U.S., even as growth slows dramatically in many metros amid a drop in immigration, new Census data shows.

Why it matters: Tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America's demographic makeup, but Charlotte is defying the trend thanks to its position in the Sun Belt.

The big picture: The Southeast coast, from Florida up to Virginia, continues to see some of the most population gains, with booming areas like Brunswick and Wake counties.

• The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro was the fifth-fastest-growing metro by numeric growth, adding 54,122 people between July 2024 and 2025. It trails the metros of Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Phoenix.
• The Charlotte metro population reached 2.9 million as of July 2025, up from 2.6 million in 2020.

Yes, but: The Census data predates a surge in immigration enforcement activity in Charlotte.

• Federal officials say agents made more than 425 arrests in November 2025 but still have not identified most of the people.

The other side: California's Los Angeles County, an international migration hub where immigration enforcement intensified earlier, lost nearly 54,000 people from 2024 to 2025.

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News you can use from our partners.

• 😩 Stressed about child care? Child Care Search, a free service of Child Care Resources Inc., helps Charlotte-area families cut through the confusion and find quality care, faster. Start your search.

Protestors gathered in First Ward Park on Saturday, March 28 as part of a nationwide "No Kings" rally.

• Organizers say this latest "No Kings" protest drew more than 8 million people nationwide across more than 3,300 events.

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☕️ Starting today, the new Dilworth cocktail bar Antagonist is expanding its hours of operation and will serve coffee from Giddy Goat during the day.

🏀 The Duke Blue Devils gave up a 19-point lead against UConn Sunday. The Huskies' last-second three-pointer sent them to the Final Four.

• In the women's tournament, UCLA beat Duke 70-58, and North Carolina lost Friday to UConn 63-42.

🛍️ VTGCLT's Spring Market will be at Ford Building at Camp North End with 100+ vintage & handmade vendors. General admission for 11am-5pm is $3. Early bird admission ($8) gets you in at 10am. (VTGCLT)

🏀 The Hornets have clinched a spot in the NBA's play-in tournament. (NBA)

🏒 The Checkers have clinched a spot in the playoffs for the eighth straight season. (Checkers)

🏈 Former Myers Park High quarterback and current New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and his wife, Ann Michael Maye have launched the MayeDay Family Foundation to support families and children. (MayeDay)

🥪 Sage & Citrus will open in Camp North End on April 4 with smoothies, power bowls, and sandwiches. (Instagram)

SouthPark After 5 is coming back to Symphony Park this spring.

Why it matters: Since debuting in 2023, the popular outdoor concert series has attracted 80,000 people.

• The series will pause in 2027 while Symphony Park undergoes a massive transformation. The park is expected to close later this year for renovations and open in late 2027.

What to expect: SouthPark After 5 will be every Thursday from April 26 to May 21 from 5—9pm. The family-friendly concerts are free to attend. There are also activities, food trucks and mobile bars. The lineup includes:

🌴 April 16: Coconut Groove Band with the Bald Brothers. There'll be a free game station and slime bar by Camp.

🫧 April 23: Bourbon Sons with Caroline & Omar. Expect a free bubble station and slime bar.

🖍️ April 30: Java Band with Rod Fiske. There'll be a free coloring station and slime bar.

🌻 May 7: On the Border Ultimate Eagles Tribute with Ryan & Woody and the United States Navy Band. The first 500 people will get free sunflowers, plus there'll be a game station. This will also be a Truist Championship Tee-off Party. VIP tickets start $85.53.

🫧 May 14: Landslide Tribute to Fleetwood Mac with Square Roots. There'll be a free bubble station and slime bar.

🟢 May 21: Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked with Drew Nathan Duo. Expect a free coloring station and slime bar.

If you go: Symphony Park (4400 Sharon Road) is at the corner of Barclay Downs Drive and Carnegie Boulevard, near SouthPark Mall.

• Bring blankets and chairs.

Here we go again, Charlotte. There's so much to do in town this week.

⚔️ Monday: Test your "Game of Thrones" knowledge at Vaulted Oak's trivia night. | Free | 7pm | Details

⚽️ Tuesday: See the Charlotte Independence take on the Charleston Battery in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. | $16+ | 7:30pm | Details

🕯️ Wednesday: Create your own candle at Slow Burn: Date Night Candle Making at the Market at 7th Street. | $47.75 | 6:30pm | Details

🎭 Thursday: Hear your favorite ABBA songs in the hit musical "Mamma Mia" at Belk Theater through April 5. | $52.77+ | 7:30pm | Details

🏀 Friday: Cheer on the Hornets during their playoff push. They take on the Pacers at Spectrum Center. | $33.20+ | 7pm | Details

We've been keeping a secret: Last summer, journalists from the Charlotte area were invited to the "Top Chef" set.

• A couple of us on the Axios Charlotte team may have cameos on upcoming episodes, including myself.

Zoom in: Without revealing any spoilers, I can tell you that I filmed with a bunch of extras at Fine & Fettle in SouthPark, where chef Greg Collier is now the executive chef.

What's next: That episode airs tonight, Monday, March 30, at 9pm on Bravo. You can also stream it on Peacock tomorrow.