Charlotte's Population in 2025: Census Estimates for Buyers and Sellers
Charlotte, NC had an estimated 964,784 residents on July 1, 2025, the largest one-year gain of any U.S. city. Census figures for the metro, Mecklenburg County and nearby towns.
The city of Charlotte
The U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025) estimates put the city of Charlotte at 964,784 residents. That is 20,731 more people than a year earlier, the largest numeric gain of any city in the country, and 90,076 more than the April 2020 estimates base.
Charlotte remains the 14th-largest U.S. city and the largest in the Carolinas. San Jose, in 13th place, is roughly 25,030 residents ahead. The Census Bureau also noted that growth in large cities slowed nationally in 2025, while Charlotte's surrounding midsized towns often grew faster in percentage terms.
Mecklenburg County and the metro region
Mecklenburg County reached an estimated 1,233,383 residents, up 26,554 in the year. Net migration added 18,278 people to the county: 13,347 from abroad and 4,931 from elsewhere in the United States.
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan area spans 11 counties in both states and held 2,938,830 people. It is the 21st-largest U.S. metro by population and recorded the 5th-largest numeric gain, 54,122 residents. Across the region, domestic movers (24,404) outnumbered international arrivals (18,239); inside Mecklenburg County the pattern reverses, so most of the region's domestic net migration went to the surrounding counties.
The towns around Charlotte
The suburbs tell the more useful story for a home search. Fort Mill, South Carolina grew 6.8% in one year and 57.7% since 2020, the fastest growth in the metro among cities of 20,000 or more. Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews and Pineville each grew about 2.2%, in line with Charlotte itself.
Growth was slower in several established luxury towns. Weddington and Marvin each grew less than 1%, and Waxhaw's estimate was essentially flat after years of rapid expansion. Population figures alone do not measure demand in these towns: zoning, minimum lot sizes and the land left to develop also limit how many households can be added, so resale homes there are judged street by street.
| Place | 2025 | One year | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte (city), NC | 964,784 | +20,731 (2.2%) | 10.3% |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 1,233,383 | +26,554 (2.2%) | 10.6% |
| Concord, NC | 114,598 | +1,865 (1.7%) | 8.8% |
| Huntersville, NC | 68,535 | +1,498 (2.2%) | 11.6% |
| Mooresville, NC | 55,842 | +342 (0.6%) | 11% |
| Fort Mill, SC | 38,673 | +2,466 (6.8%) | 57.7% |
| Cornelius, NC | 35,094 | +769 (2.2%) | 11.7% |
| Matthews, NC | 32,769 | +701 (2.2%) | 11.4% |
| Mint Hill, NC | 29,476 | +635 (2.2%) | 11.4% |
| Waxhaw, NC | 23,140 | −65 (-0.3%) | 12.6% |
| Davidson, NC | 16,662 | +330 (2%) | 10% |
| Weddington, NC | 14,517 | +109 (0.8%) | 10.2% |
| Tega Cay, SC | 14,457 | +198 (1.4%) | 13.1% |
| Pineville, NC | 11,851 | +260 (2.2%) | 11.7% |
| Marvin, NC | 7,040 | +54 (0.8%) | 10.3% |
What the figures mean for a home purchase or sale
Population growth explains why the Charlotte region keeps adding schools, roads and new communities, but it does not set the value of an individual house. Pricing still depends on the number of comparable homes for sale, new construction nearby, mortgage rates, school assignment and the lot itself. We do not use population figures to forecast prices.
For buyers relocating from larger metros, the figures are most useful for planning: fast-growing towns tend to have more new construction and changing school boundaries, while slower-growing established towns tend to have scarcer resale inventory. For sellers, they help frame which buyers are moving to the area and where they are coming from. Current Canopy MLS listings and recorded sales remain the evidence for any specific address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in Charlotte, North Carolina?
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 964,784 residents in the city of Charlotte as of July 1, 2025, up 20,731 from 944,053 a year earlier. The broader metropolitan area held an estimated 2,938,830 people.
Where does Charlotte rank among U.S. cities?
Charlotte is the 14th-largest city in the United States in the Vintage 2025 estimates, about 25,030 residents behind San Jose. Between 2024 and 2025 it added more residents than any other U.S. city.
How fast is the Charlotte area growing?
The city grew 2.2% in the year to July 2025 and 10.3% since the April 2020 estimates base. The metro grew 1.9% in the year, the 5th-largest numeric gain among U.S. metropolitan areas.
Which town near Charlotte is growing fastest?
Fort Mill, South Carolina grew 6.8% to 38,673 residents between 2024 and 2025. The Census Bureau identifies it as the fastest-growing city of 20,000 or more in the Charlotte metro and 20th nationally.
Where are new Charlotte-area residents coming from?
Of the metro's net migration of 42,643 people in the year to July 2025, an estimated 24,404 moved from elsewhere in the United States and 18,239 from abroad. Most of the remaining growth reflects births exceeding deaths.
Does population growth mean Charlotte home prices will rise?
Not on its own. Population is one input; prices also depend on the number of homes for sale, new construction, mortgage rates and the specific street. We do not forecast prices. For a particular neighborhood, current Canopy MLS listings and recent recorded sales are the better evidence.
Sources and method
Figures are transcribed from U.S. Census Bureau files; changes are calculated from them. Reviewed 2026-11-14.
- U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Growth Holds Steady in Midsized Cities Amid Slowdown” (May 14, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town estimates, North Carolina (SUB-EST2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town estimates, South Carolina (SUB-EST2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 metropolitan and county estimates with components of change (CBSA-EST2025)