Charlotte area population statistics

[nicholas]

I doubt Belmont will ever overtake Gastonia.  Gastonia added roughly 6k residents over the last decade, and Belmont added about 2.5k.  I guess if the Silver Line ended up terminating in Belmont, it could bring an influx of people there, but I don't think Belmont wants a ton of growth.  Gastonia seems to be trying to take the next step by bringing entertainment to its downtown, and in the long run that will likely bring in larger scale redevelopment similar to what's going on in Kannapolis.

[Eightane]

The biggest problem with Gastonia is that its CBD/ downtown is incredibly piecemeal, and not well-activated in the majority of blocks. Yes, it's made some great strides in the past few years, revitalizing the area near the courthouse, but at the end of the day it suffers terribly from this AND its poor connectivity to Charlotte (I-85 loses a lane before it even gets CLOSE to central Gaston, and anyone who's taken the Sloans Ferry Bridge that carries 74 across the Catawba knows it is a *scary* piece of road and in no way a fostering agent for growth).

Given Belmont's raw proximity to Meck, and its great work w/ revitalization in the past 20-some-dd years, i don't see it being impossible at all that Belmont becomes the next powerhouse of Gaston and might absolutely pass Gastonia in population. it won't be tomorrow, or next year, but it's definitely a place to watch.

[JRNYP2C]

22 hours ago, nicholas said:

I doubt Belmont will ever overtake Gastonia.  Gastonia added roughly 6k residents over the last decade, and Belmont added about 2.5k.  I guess if the Silver Line ended up terminating in Belmont, it could bring an influx of people there, but I don't think Belmont wants a ton of growth.  Gastonia seems to be trying to take the next step by bringing entertainment to its downtown, and in the long run that will likely bring in larger scale redevelopment similar to what's going on in Kannapolis.

As to Belmont not wanting a lot of growth - I would disagree.  I'm in Cramerton, which is right next door, and if there is an empty plot of land, Belmont is green lighting any housing development possible.  There is such an incredible number of detached homes, multi-family neighborhoods and apartments going up it is dizzying.  The main problem is that the crush of homes is vastly and rapidly outpacing the infrastructure.  For those that use eastern Gaston County as a route to get to Charlotte (from SC mostly) and those of us that have to get to 85 via Belmont, it is increasingly becoming more of a nightmarish scenario by the month.  Growth is going to crush what used to be a quaint, small southern town - especially if the City Council doesn't get some sort of handle on it.  In the next 10 years, I see Belmont, and Mt. Holly to an extension not much different than the dense neighborhoods of Charlotte - just a little farther away.

For those of us that use Belmont as a gateway, during rush hour, you REALLY have to have patience and possibly a plan B just in case there is an accident on either artery (I-85 or US-74).  There is quite a tug of war over the want/need for a new bridge from Gaston County to the development on the other side of the Catawba.  Some (like me) are happy to see this happen b/c it will hopefully help ease congestion, and some are afraid it will do nothing but exacerbate the existing problems.

Growth in Gaston County (mostly southern) is quietly taking place.  What used to be wooded land is being clear cut for hundreds of housing developments from 321 to the east.  And unfortunately, I don't think the County Commissioners or Gastonia City Council are looking at making sure infrastructure, schools, police, fire and the like are keeping pace.  Before too long, our taxes will be on par with Mecklenburg because we will have to fund all of the aforementioned.  I have always expected and anticipated growth in "The County," but not at such a rapid pace.  

 

22 hours ago, Eightane said:

The biggest problem with Gastonia is that its CBD/ downtown is incredibly piecemeal, and not well-activated in the majority of blocks. Yes, it's made some great strides in the past few years, revitalizing the area near the courthouse, but at the end of the day it suffers terribly from this AND its poor connectivity to Charlotte (I-85 loses a lane before it even gets CLOSE to central Gaston, and anyone who's taken the Sloans Ferry Bridge that carries 74 across the Catawba knows it is a *scary* piece of road and in no way a fostering agent for growth).

Given Belmont's raw proximity to Meck, and its great work w/ revitalization in the past 20-some-dd years, i don't see it being impossible at all that Belmont becomes the next powerhouse of Gaston and might absolutely pass Gastonia in population. it won't be tomorrow, or next year, but it's definitely a place to watch.

I do agree that Gastonia does have room to grow.  Downtown is piecemeal as Eightlane mentions.  But will it become dense and purposeful as say Concord's downtown?  I will remain hopeful.  The FUSE District is a step in the right direction IMHO.  The city itself is pretty spread out, and main gateway from I-85 (US 321) is tenable at best.  Not one of the prettiest drives into the CBD if I have ever seen one.  The interchange of I-85/US 321 is still getting a much needed makeover and hopefully that will help generate interest to developers to bring more life to that corridor.  The widening of 85 from Belmont to I think Kings' Mountain (and eventually to the SC line) is supposedly on the books.  I can remember when 85 was being widened back in the 90's and seemed to be an afterthought then.  As growth to the west continues, the traffic woes will follow.  But that is part and parcel to any direction out of central Charlotte.  Gaston County is not immune anymore.  We are growing and the pain that comes with it is becoming a little more intolerable each year.

[KJHburg]

I am seeing more and more California plated cars in Charlotte than ever.  Californians once stayed west and moved to Nevada and Arizona and other Mtn west states now they are moving all over the sunbelt to even here in NC

Look at the Bay area counties and Los Angeles counties   why this does not show where they went they are moving to the southeast primarily NC GA and FL and TN.  

CalExodus: Are People Leaving California? – California Policy Lab (capolicylab.org)

always have seen some California plates in Raleigh Durham but now even here.  This is a real migration out of the state.   

[Richhamleigh, DC]

https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/where-retirees-are-moving-2021

"The Carolinas" are a solid second place with over 33K retirees.  Oh, and by the way, there is a state income tax in NC.  So -- people are moving to NC because it's so awesome.  

(Snicker....where's Georgia on the retiree lists?  Cue clown sad music.)

 

 

[CLT2014]

I think Charlotte's rank as a top net-importer of retirees is influenced by the amount of young transplants.  We aren't necessarily the stereotypical "resort" retirement location. Instead their kids moved to Charlotte after college for work, stayed here, met a person, got pregnant, moved from South End to Cotswold to raise said baby... and grandma and grandpa come down from Pittsburgh to meet the baby. They go back home and go "dang, we are never going to know our grandchild and it is freezing here in Pittsburgh." Three months later, the house is sold and grandpa and grandma have a nice townhome in South Park. 

Our millennial or Gen Z growth has a "revolving" door to an extent, but many more seem to settle down here than places like San Francisco and New York where it is a "phase of life in the city" and people fully intend to move somewhere else when they settle down, marry, and have a kid (if applicable to their life). This causes a pull on the older generation as well to move in proximity. 

Edited March 10, 2021 by CLT2014

[allthingsplanes]

5 minutes ago, CLT2014 said:

I think Charlotte's rank as a top net-importer of retirees is influenced by the amount of young transplants.  We aren't necessarily the stereotypical "resort" retirement location. Instead their kids moved to Charlotte after college for work, stayed here, met a person, got pregnant, moved from South End to Cotswold to raise said baby... and grandma and grandpa come down from Pittsburgh to meet the baby. They go back home and go "dang, we are never going to know our grandchild and it is freezing here in Pittsburgh." Three months later, the house is sold and grandpa and grandma have a nice townhome in South Park. 

Our millennial or Gen Z growth has a "revolving" door to an extent, but many more seem to settle down here than places like San Francisco and New York where it is a "phase of life in the city" and people fully intend to move somewhere else when they settle down, marry, and have a kid (if applicable to their life). This causes a pull on the older generation as well to move in proximity. 

Hah!  This is essentially what happened with my family and my in-laws!  But they were moving from Louisiana to get away from hurricanes.

[turbocraig]

7 hours ago, CLT2014 said:

I think Charlotte's rank as a top net-importer of retirees is influenced by the amount of young transplants.  We aren't necessarily the stereotypical "resort" retirement location. Instead their kids moved to Charlotte after college for work, stayed here, met a person, got pregnant, moved from South End to Cotswold to raise said baby... and grandma and grandpa come down from Pittsburgh to meet the baby. They go back home and go "dang, we are never going to know our grandchild and it is freezing here in Pittsburgh." Three months later, the house is sold and grandpa and grandma have a nice townhome in South Park. 

Our millennial or Gen Z growth has a "revolving" door to an extent, but many more seem to settle down here than places like San Francisco and New York where it is a "phase of life in the city" and people fully intend to move somewhere else when they settle down, marry, and have a kid (if applicable to their life). This causes a pull on the older generation as well to move in proximity. 

I’ve mentioned this elsewhere before but this was my precise scenario.  I moved here from NY in 1994 and parents retired, left NY and relo’d to Ballantyne a couple years ago.  I have other friends who came around that same mid-90s timeframe, and now one’s parents are halfbacks from FL (originally from Pittsburgh) living in Weddington and the others are from Ft Lauderdale that moved up here to Oakhurst.  And brought their grandson too.  
 

My mom’s brother and his wife live in SFO and when he retires they want out.  They can’t afford to stay there on retirement income, so they will likely come too in the next few years.  It’s highly possible that our old neighbors from NY may move in the next few years.  This is real. 
 

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by turbocraig

[InSouthPark]

16 hours ago, CLT2014 said:

I think Charlotte's rank as a top net-importer of retirees is influenced by the amount of young transplants.  We aren't necessarily the stereotypical "resort" retirement location. Instead their kids moved to Charlotte after college for work, stayed here, met a person, got pregnant, moved from South End to Cotswold to raise said baby... and grandma and grandpa come down from Pittsburgh to meet the baby. They go back home and go "dang, we are never going to know our grandchild and it is freezing here in Pittsburgh." Three months later, the house is sold and grandpa and grandma have a nice townhome in South Park. 

Our millennial or Gen Z growth has a "revolving" door to an extent, but many more seem to settle down here than places like San Francisco and New York where it is a "phase of life in the city" and people fully intend to move somewhere else when they settle down, marry, and have a kid (if applicable to their life). This causes a pull on the older generation as well to move in proximity. 

Yep.  While my parents haven't fully gotten on board for moving here *yet*, they get closer every year.  It one thing to live in PA and not know first hand of the much better weather here.  But when your son (me) texts mom and dad in PA about working outside on the deck in shorts and t-shirt (me, yesterday), it hits home for them and they complain non-stop.  Major point of issue for my parents in PA is that they are country folks and the city scares them!

[nakers2]

On 3/10/2021 at 3:43 PM, CLT2014 said:

I think Charlotte's rank as a top net-importer of retirees is influenced by the amount of young transplants.  We aren't necessarily the stereotypical "resort" retirement location. Instead their kids moved to Charlotte after college for work, stayed here, met a person, got pregnant, moved from South End to Cotswold to raise said baby... and grandma and grandpa come down from Pittsburgh to meet the baby. They go back home and go "dang, we are never going to know our grandchild and it is freezing here in Pittsburgh." Three months later, the house is sold and grandpa and grandma have a nice townhome in South Park. 

Our millennial or Gen Z growth has a "revolving" door to an extent, but many more seem to settle down here than places like San Francisco and New York where it is a "phase of life in the city" and people fully intend to move somewhere else when they settle down, marry, and have a kid (if applicable to their life). This causes a pull on the older generation as well to move in proximity. 

My girlfriend's mom is a rich retired and divorced lawyer from Louisville, KY. She moved down here and is renting to take care of her other daughter's baby as both her and her husband are working. Though she plans to move back, my girlfriend has taken a liking to the city and plans to stay. Even when people move here temporarily, they can leave behind people who fall in love with the city, or in many cases might end up staying themselves.

[CLT2014]

10 hours ago, InSouthPark said:

Yep.  While my parents haven't fully gotten on board for moving here *yet*, they get closer every year.  It one thing to live in PA and not know first hand of the much better weather here.  But when your son (me) texts mom and dad in PA about working outside on the deck in shorts and t-shirt (me, yesterday), it hits home for them and they complain non-stop.  Major point of issue for my parents in PA is that they are country folks and the city scares them!

Waxhaw would be perfect for them!

[DownEast]

I live in eastern NC and the same plays out here. Most come down to visit children in the military, discover the New Berns, Swansboros, and Beauforts, and it's a wrap. Mostly from Ohio, Penn, and New Jersey.

[gman430]

They won’t stop coming from Ohio and Florida.

[KJHburg]

On 3/11/2021 at 6:58 PM, CLT2014 said:

Waxhaw would be perfect for them!

Waxhaw is booming but there are other towns too like Locust, Oakboro etc.  South of Waxhaw is very rural and you can come into "town" to shop and eat.  

[Temeteron]

4 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Waxhaw is booming but there are other towns too like Locust, Oakboro etc.  South of Waxhaw is very rural and you can come into "town" to shop and eat.  

Yeah I agree. Waxhaw isn’t as rural anymore.  If you are looking for rural that is somewhat near Charlotte I’d say Locust, Midland, Albemarle, Lincolnton, Harrisburg, Chester, Kings Mountain, Shelby, and York.  They will grow eventually too but not as fast since they are further out. 

Edited March 13, 2021 by Temeteron

[DH17]

This happened with my parents. 2/3 kids ended up living in Charlotte, and this past year they finally pulled the trigger and moved to Matthews from Michigan.

[KJHburg]

story about where people are relocating from obviously NYC is number one but I have seen so many California tags around here lately.  They used to stop at NV and AZ then Texas but now some are coming all the way east.    and we get people from Miami because of the rising costs of housing there and how crowded it has become. 

New Yorkers flocked to Charlotte amid the pandemic - Axios Charlotte

[davidclt]

This is a fun game on the Census.gov site: Population Bracketology (census.gov) my score on the first go was 54/63 (some pairings were tough, some easy) and 58/63 by state (and territory). Have fun. It's harder than it looks.

[KJHburg]

Interesting I got 58  out of 63 the sweet 16 and final 4 was easy it was the first rounds that were the hardest.  

[tozmervo]

Bah. I got 51, Riverside can eat me. 

[Bruco72]

1 hour ago, KJHburg said:

Interesting I got 58  out of 63 the sweet 16 and final 4 was easy it was the first rounds that were the hardest.  

Same. 58. 

[turbocraig]

53 / 63

[videtur quam contuor]

Riverside-San Bernadino MSA is HUGE in area.

[tozmervo]

2 minutes ago, tarhoosier said:

Riverside-San Bernadino MSA is HUGE in area.

GEE YOU THINK

[CLT2014]

60/63. Fun game!

Edited March 29, 2021 by CLT2014