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Mecklenburg County, North Carolina is home to the South’s “Queen City” of Charlotte. Residents named Charlotte after the German wife of King George III, and the county took its name from her birthplace. In 1799, a twelve-year-old boy discovered a seventeen-pound gold nugget in Charlotte, and the little village turned into a major city. Mecklenburg County became the chief American mining center, until the California Gold Rush of the mid 1800's.
In modern times, the Charlotte Metropolitan Area is the second largest financial center in the United States. A major transportation and distribution hub, Mecklenburg County contains the Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation Railroads, and the major Interstate Highways 77 and 85. The Charlotte International Airport allows global access to the region. North Carolina’s Piedmont Region is the nation's fourth largest manufacturing district, and Mecklenburg County’s excellent highway and rail system transports the products. Business booms in Charlotte, with an influx of international firms discovering the area. The Mecklenburg Economic Development Office works hand in hand with large and small businesses, attracting more companies to the region.
Mecklenburg County leads North Carolina counties in population, and this thriving area shows increases each year. Between 1995 and 2000, Charlotte attracted the nation’s 3rd-largest increase in young professionals. The Metro Area growth increased 37% since 1990. Census 2000 recorded Mecklenburg County’s population at 695,454. Charlotte’s population was almost 541,000. NC’s 2004 estimate for Mecklenburg County was almost 772,000, more than a 10% increase since the 2000 Census.
Charlotte serves as the seat of Mecklenburg County. The Charlotte Metropolitan Area extends beyond the county’s 526 square mile boundary. Huntersville is Mecklenburg County’s next most populous town, with over 25,000 residents. This elegant town attracts shoppers to its unique boutiques and sportsmen to enjoy the waters of lovely Lake Norman, NC’s largest man-made lake. The town of Matthews is a fashionable small suburb with over 22,000 residents. Mint Hill is a fairly new town, only incorporated in 1971, population 18,000. The tiny of town of Pineville offers southern small-town living at its finest, with a population of 4,000. The novel "Pineville, North Carolina", by Roger Crump offers insight into Mecklenburg County in the 1940’s.
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County residents enjoy a beautiful year-round climate. Four complete seasons unveil the beauty of the region. Winter temperatures are mild, with sub-zero readings occurring only five times since 1878. The occasional snowfall gently blankets the low Piedmont hills, but rarely lasts more than a day. Ski enthusiasts delight in the North Carolina Mountains a mere two-hour drive to the west, while summer beach fans enjoy the same drive to the Coastal Region. Mecklenburg County summer temperatures average a pleasant 72 degrees, escaping the sweltering heat of most southern cities. Spring and fall bring sensory thrills, with magnolia blossoms as well as stunning fall foliage.
Mecklenburg County citizens enjoy the affluence and security of Charlotte’s dynamic economy. The median household income (2000 data) was almost $10,000 over the national norm. The small town of Cornelius reported a median household income $30,000 above the national average. Six colleges and universities stand within county borders, assuring future generations of the finest in education. Charlotte offers a vast array of arts and cultural entertainment, museums, sports and recreation. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina holds a secure and solid future, as one of the finest regions the South has to offer.
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