Named for Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of George III of England, Charlotte was founded by German and Scots-Irish settlers around 1750 . From 1753 to
1880, Charlotte was little more than an inland trading village, but began growing into a small town after the arrival of the railroad in the 1850s. During the next twenty years, the Civil War and reconstruction hampered the growth of Charlotte, and it wasn't until 1870 that Charlotte started to play an increasingly important role in the area economy.

In the early 1900's, Charlotte's growth took off and the city started becoming a major distribution and finance center in the region. Prior to the first World War, Charlotte had electric trolleys and its first suburb, Dilworth. Also in this period, Belk Department Store opened, and the first
automobiles started appearing.

By 1930, Charlotte's blueprints for growth were established and many of the high-rise buildings, fine communities, and many prominent businesses were in place. The City Hall building at 600 E. Trade was built, the Federal Reserve opened, and the Charlotte Symphony was organized
during this period. After the second World War and the Korean War, Charlotte emerged as a textile and distribution center and one of the South's largest cities.

During the 1960s Charlotte's growth began to mushroom. The population doubled
and the growth continues today. Charlotte has become a national center for finance
and industry with close ties to the world economy. The many lovely neighborhoods,
strong cultural community and recreational opportunities make Charlotte a
very attractive place to live and work.

Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Charlotte:

CHARLOTTE-DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL
(about 8 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; ID: CLT)

HICKORY REGIONAL
(about 53 miles; HICKORY, NC; ID: HKY)

SMITH REYNOLDS
(about 77 miles; WINSTON SALEM, NC; ID: INT)

Other public-use airports nearest to Charlotte:

WILGROVE AIR PARK
(about 12 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; ID: 8A6)

CONCORD REGIONAL
(about 16 miles; CONCORD, NC; ID: JQF)

GOOSE CREEK
(about 19 miles; INDIAN TRAIL, NC; ID: 28A)

LAKE NORMAN AIR PARK
(about 25 miles; MOORESVILLE, NC; ID: 14A)

Climate & Weather
Normal climate around Charlotte, North Carolina
Based on data reported by main weather stations

Average weather in Charlotte, North Carolina
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Colleges
Biggest Colleges/Universities in Charlotte:

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
(Full-time enrollment: 13,706; Location: 9201 UNIVERSITY CITY BLVD; Public; Offers Doctor's degree)

CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(FT enrollment: 7,967; Location: PO BOX 35009; Public)

JOHNSON C SMITH UNIVERSITY
(FT enrollment: 1,531; Location: 100-152 BEATTIES FORD RD; Private, not-for-profit)

QUEENS COLLEGE
(FT enrollment: 1,098; Location: 1900 SELWYN AVE; Private, not-for-profit; Offers Master's degree)

KINGS COLLEGE
(FT enrollment: 316; Location: 322 LAMAR AVE; Private, for-profit)

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHARLOTTE
(FT enrollment: 151; Location: 1515 MOCKINGBIRD LN STE 600; Private, for-profit)

BROOKSTONE COLLEGE
(FT enrollment: 135; Location: 8307 UNIVERSITY EXEC PK DR STE 240; Private, for-profit)

CAROLINAS COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
(FT enrollment: 124; Location: 1200 BLYTHE BLVD; Public)

PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING
(FT enrollment: 123; Location: 1901 E FIFTH ST; Private, not-for-profit)

MERCY SCHOOL OF NURSING
(FT enrollment: 91; Location: 1921 VAIL AVE; Private, not-for-profit)

UNIVERSAL COLLEGE OF BEAUTY
(FT enrollment: 60; Location: 1701 W TRADE ST; Private, for-profit)

CAROLINA BEAUTY COLLEGE 4
(FT enrollment: 59; Location: NORTH PARK MALL 5430-0 N TRYON ST; Private, for-profit)

DUDLEYS BEAUTY COLLEGE
(FT enrollment: 42; Location: 1950 JOHN MCDONALD AVE; Private, for-profit)

SOUTH EASTERN COLLEGE OF BEAUTY CULTURE
(FT enrollment: 39; Location: 1535 ELIZABETH AVE; Private, for-profit)

HAIRSTYLING INSTITUTE OF CHARLOTTE INC
(FT enrollment: 35; Location: 209B S KINGS DR; Private, for-profit)

CHARLOTTE DIESEL DRIVING SCHOOL
(Location: 6000 N TRYON ST; Private, for-profit)

CAROLINA SCHOOL OF BROADCASTING
(Location: 7003 WALLACE RD STE 100; Private, for-profit)

BRANDS COLLEGE OF BEAUTY CULTURE
(Location: 4900B OLD PINEVILLE RD; Private, for-profit)

CHARLOTTE TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL
(Location: 500 N HOSKINS RD; Private, for-profit)

REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
(Location: 2101 Carmel; Private, not-for-profit; Offers Doctor's degree)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Charlotte:

YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE
(about 24 miles; ROCK HILL, SC; FT enrollment: 2,221)

GASTON COLLEGE
(about 26 miles; DALLAS, NC; FT enrollment: 2,473)

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
(about 29 miles; ROCK HILL, SC; FT enrollment: 4,976)

ROWAN-CABARRUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(about 41 miles; SALISBURY, NC; FT enrollment: 2,499)

CATAWBA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(about 50 miles; HICKORY, NC; FT enrollment: 2,052)

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY
(about 58 miles; BOILING SPRINGS, NC; FT enrollment: 2,563)

FORSYTH TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
(about 70 miles; WINSTON SALEM, NC; FT enrollment: 3,271)

Demographics

Population (year 2000): 540,828
Males: 264,978 (49.0%), Females: 275,850 (51.0%)

Elevation: 850 feet

County: Mecklenburg

Land area: 242.3 square miles

Zip codes: 28201..28237, 28240..28244, 28253..28256, 28260..28262, 28272..28275, 28280..28290, 28258, 28250, 28247, 28246, 28277, 28278, 28296, 28297, 28299, 28269, 28270, 28266, 28265.

Median resident age: 32.7 years
Median household income: $46,975 (year 2000)
Median house value: $134,300 (year 2000)

Races in Charlotte:

• White Non-Hispanic (55.1%)
• Black (32.7%)
• Hispanic (7.4%)
• Other race (3.6%)
• Two or more races (1.7%)
• Asian Indian (0.9%)
• Vietnamese (0.8%)
• American Indian (0.7%)
• Other Asian (0.7%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (10.1%), English (8.5%), Irish (7.9%), United States (6.8%), Scotch-Irish (3.9%), Italian (3.3%).

For population 25 years and over in Charlotte

• High school or higher: 84.9%
• Bachelor's degree or higher: 36.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 10.5%
• Unemployed: 5.5%
• Mean travel time to work: 25.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Charlotte city

• Never married: 32.7%
• Now married: 49.6%
• Separated: 3.0%
• Widowed: 5.2%
• Divorced: 9.4%
• 11.1% Foreign born (5.6% Latin America, 2.9% Asia, 1.4% Europe).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Philadelphia, PA (512.2 miles, pop. 1,517,550).

Nearest cities: Pineville, NC (9.3 miles), Matthews, NC (10.0 miles), Mint Hill, NC (11.5 miles), Huntersville, NC (14.2 miles), Mount Holly, NC (14.4 miles), Belmont, NC (14.4 miles).

Area codes: 704, 980

Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (15.8%), Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing (14.7%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (11.8%), Retail trade (10.8%), Manufacturing (10.7%).

Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers in Charlotte:

CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER
(1000 BLYTHE BLVD)

CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER-MERCY
(MERCY HOSPITAL) (2001 VAIL AVE)

CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER-UNIVERSITY
(8800 NORTH TYRON STREET)

CHARLOTTE INSTITUTE OF REHABILITATION
(1100 BLYTHE BOULEVARD)

PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
(200 HAWTHORNE LANE BOX 33549)

PRESBYTERIAN-ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL
(1901 RANDOLPH RD)

Private Schools
Biggest private high schools in Charlotte:

CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
(Students: 1,591; Location: 1440 CARMEL ROAD; Grades: KG - 12)

PROVIDENCE DAY SCHOOL
(Students: 1,377; Location: 5800 SARDIS ROAD; Grades: KG - 12)

CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL
(Students: 1,316; Location: 9502 PROVIDENCE ROAD; Grades: PK - 12)

CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
(Students: 987; Location: 7301 SARDIS ROAD; Grades: KG - 12)

CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
(Students: 904; Location: 7702 PINEVILLE MATTHEW RD; Grades: 9 - 12)

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
(Students: 720; Location: 333 JEREMIAH BLVD; Grades: KG - 12)

UNITED FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
(Students: 477; Location: 8617 PROVIDENCE RD; Grades: PK - 12)

VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER SCH.
(Students: 399; Location: P.O. BOX 240433; Grades: PK - 12)

RESURRECTION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
(Students: 224; Location: 2825 SHENANDOAH AVENUE; Grades: PK - 12)

CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
(Students: 160; Location: 8101 FALLSDALE DR; Grades: KG - 12)

Biggest private primary/middle schools in Charlotte:

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC MS
(Students: 977; Location: 3100 PARK RD; Grades: 6 - 8)

CALVARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CTR (Students: 826; Location: 5801 PINEVILLEMATTHEWS ROAD; Grades: PK - KG)

HICKORY GROVE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
(Students: 742; Location: 6050 HICKORY GROVE RD; Grades: KG - 8)

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
(Students: 632; Location: 7000 ENDHAVEN LN; Grades: KG - 5)

ST GABRIEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
(Students: 545; Location: 3028 PROVIDENCE RD; Grades: KG - 5)

COUNTRYSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
(Students: 445; Location: 9100 OLMSTED DR & 9026 MALLARD; Grades: 1 - 8)

ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
(Students: 420; Location: 600 HILLSIDE AVENUE; Grades: PK - 5)

ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL
(Students: 401; Location: 1125 BUCHANAN STREET; Grades: KG - 5)

OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION SCHOOL
(Students: 326; Location: 4225 SHAMROCK DR.; Grades: PK - 5)

FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
(Students: 260; Location: 2633 EASTWAY DR; Grades: PK - 8

Public Schools

CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS

Biggest public high schools in Charlotte:

MYERS PARK HIGH
(Students: 2,604; Location: 2400 COLONY RD; Grades: 09 - 12)

PROVIDENCE HIGH
(Students: 2,595; Location: 1800 PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS RD; Grades: 09 - 12)

INDEPENDENCE HIGH
(Students: 2,359; Location: 1967 PATRIOT DR; Grades: 09 - 12)

ZEBULON B VANCE HIGH
(Students: 2,324; Location: 7600 IBM ROAD; Grades: 09 - 12)

EAST MECKLENBURG HIGH
(Students: 2,127; Location: 6800 MONROE RD; Grades: 09 - 12)

SOUTH MECKLENBURG HIGH
(Students: 1,956; Location: 8900 PARK RD; Grades: 09 - 12)

WEST CHARLOTTE HIGH
(Students: 1,818; Location: 2219 SENIOR DR; Grades: 09 - 12)

WEST MECKLENBURG HIGH
(Students: 1,700; Location: 7400 TUCKASEEGEE RD; Grades: 09 - 12)

GARINGER HIGH
(Students: 1,677; Location: 1100 EASTWAY DR; Grades: 09 - 12)

HARDING UNIVERSITY HIGH
(Students: 1,406; Location: 2001 ALLEGHANY ST; Grades: 09 - 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Charlotte:

SOUTH CHARLOTTE MIDDLE
(Students: 1,609; Location: 8040 STRAWBERRY LN; Grades: 06 - 08)

MCKEE ROAD ELEMENTARY
(Students: 1,320; Location: 4101 MCKEE RD; Grades: KG - 05)

HOPEWELL HIGH
(Students: 1,278; Location: 11530 BEATTIES FORD ROAD; Grades: 09 - 11)

NORTHRIDGE MIDDLE
(Students: 1,266; Location: 7601 THE PLAZA; Grades: 06 - 08)

NORTHEAST MIDDLE
(Students: 1,261; Location: 5960 BRICKSTONE DR; Grades: 06 - 08)

QUAIL HOLLOW MIDDLE
(Students: 1,240; Location: 2901 SMITHFLD CH RD; Grades: 06 - 08)

NORTHWEST HIGH
(Students: 1,197; Location: 1415 BEATTIES FORD; Grades: 06 - 12)

JAMES MARTIN MIDDLE
(Students: 1,188; Location: 7800 IBM DRIVE; Grades: 06 - 08)

RANSON MIDDLE
(Students: 1,158; Location: 5850 STATESVILLE RD; Grades: 06 - 08)

COULWOOD MIDDLE
(Students: 1,070; Location: 500 KENTBERRY DRIVE; Grades: 06 - 08)

Public Library

PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG COUNTY
(Operating income: $25,195,400; Location: 310 NORTH TRYON STREET; 1,609,531 books; 63,496 audio materials; 41,035 video materials; 2,810 serial subscriptions)