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Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Coordinates: 35°15′N 80°50′W / 35.25°N 80.83°W / 35.25; -80.83
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Mecklenburg County
County
Official seal of Mecklenburg County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Mecklenburg County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°15′N 80°50′W / 35.25°N 80.83°W / 35.25; -80.83
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1762
SeatCharlotte
Area
 • Total
546 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Land526 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  3.65%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2009)
935,304
 • Density1,650/sq mi (637/km2)
Websitewww.charmeck.nc.us

Mecklenburg County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2008, the population was 902,803.[1] Its county seat is Charlotte. It is the most populous county in the state.

History

Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from the western part of Anson County. It was named for the German Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818) from the German state of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who had become queen consort of King George III the previous year. She is also the eponym of Mecklenburg County's county seat and largest city, Charlotte.

In 1768 the part of Mecklenburg County west of the Catawba River became Tryon County. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was allegedly signed on May 20, 1775; if the document is indeed genuine, Mecklenburg County was the first part of the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from Great Britain. In 1792 the northeastern part of Mecklenburg County became Cabarrus County. Finally, in 1842 the southeastern part of Mecklenburg County was combined with the western part of Anson County to become Union County.

James Knox Polk, the eleventh President of the United States, was born here in 1795 in what is now Pineville.

Bold text'Italic textJASMINE BECTON WAS HERE.[=...FEB.18.2009==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 546 square miles (1,415 km²), of which, 526 square miles (1,363 km²) of it is land and 20 square miles (52 km²) of it (3.65%) is water.

Municipalities

Mecklenburg County contains seven municipalities including the City of Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville (north of Charlotte); and the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (south and east of Charlotte). A small portion of the town of Stallings is also in Mecklenburg County, though most of it is in Union County. Extra-territorial jurisdictions within the county are annexed by municipalities as soon as they reach sufficient concentrations.

Cities and towns

Map of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels
1923 Map of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina showing original Township boundaries

Original Townships of Mecklenburg County

In 1959, the North Carolina State Legislature revised laws that govern how cities may annex adjacent areas, allowing municipalities to annex unincorporated lands without permission of those residents.[2] Due to decades of an aggressive annexation policy, cities (especially Charlotte) have greatly expanded their borders,[3] diminishing or totally engulfing all of the original 15 Townships of Mecklenburg County. Although seldom mentioned by residents anymore, the U.S. Census still recognizes all of the Townships except Sharon Township.(see modern map).

  • Charlotte Township - completely annexed into the City of Charlotte
  • Mallard Creek Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Crab Orchard Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Clear Creek Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte and Mint Hill annexation
  • Morning Star Township - almost entirely annexed by Charlotte, Mint Hill, and Matthews
  • Sharon Township - completely annexed into Charlotte and eliminated
  • Providence Township - almost entirely annexed into Charlotte
  • Pineville Township - mostly annexed by the City of Pineville
  • Steele Creek Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Berryhill Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Paw Creek Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Long Creek Township - greatly reduced by Charlotte annexation
  • Deweese Township - reduced by Davidson and Cornelius annexation
  • Huntersville Township - reduced by Huntersville annexation
  • Lemley Township - mostly beneath Lake Norman since it was created in 1963, and reduced by Huntersville annexation

Adjacent counties

Transportation Infrastructure

Air

The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.

Intercity Rail

With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta and the large volumes of freight moving in and out of the county via truck.

Mecklenburg County is served daily by three Amtrak routes.

The Crescent train connects Charlotte with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlottesville, and Greensboro to the north, and Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans to the south.

The Carolinian train connects Charlotte with New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro.

The Piedmont train connects Charlotte with Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro.

The Amtrak station is located at 1914 North Tryon Street.

A new centralized multimodial train station, Gateway Station, is currently under construction. It is expected to house the future LYNX Purple Line, the new Greyhound bus station, and the Crescent line that passes through Uptown Charlotte.

Mecklenburg County is also the proposed southern terminus for the initial segment of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor operating between Charlotte and Washington, D.C. Currently in conceptual design, the SEHSR would eventually run from Washington D.C. to Macon, Georgia.

Light rail and mass transit

Light rail service in Mecklennburg County is provided by LYNX Rapid Transit Services. Currently a 9.6-mile (15.4 km) line running from Uptown to Pineville, build-out is expected to be complete by 2034.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus service serves all of Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte, and the townships of Davidson, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill.

The vintage Charlotte Trolley also operates in partnership with CATS.

Freight

Mecklenburg's manufacturing base, its central location on the Eastern Seaboard and the intersection of two major interstates in the county have made it a hub for the trucking industry.

Major Roadways

Economy

See also: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

The major industries of Mecklenburg County are banking, manufacturing, and professional services, especially those supporting banking and medicine. Mecklenburg County is home to seven Fortune 500 companies,[4] including 9th-ranked Bank of America

Fortune 500 Companies with headquarters in Mecklenburg County

Name Industry Revenue Rank
1. Bank of America Banking $119.2 billion 9
2. Nucor Metals $16.6 billion 151
3. Duke Energy Utilities $13.1 billion 204
4. Sonic Automotive Automotive Retailing $8.8 billion 298
5. Family Dollar Retail $6.8 billion 358
6. Goodrich Aerospace/Defense $6.5 billion 375
7. SPX Electronics $5.1 billion 466

An eighth Fortune 500 company, Wachovia, will retain its headquarters in Mecklenburg while its acquisition by Wells Fargo for $15.1 billion in stock is being completed. The Federal Reserve approved the merger on October 12, 2008.[5]

Mecklenburg County's largest employer is Carolinas Healthcare System, with 26,283 employees, followed closely by Wachovia (20,000) and Bank of America (13,960).[6]

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 695,454 people, 273,416 households, and 174,986 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,322 people per square mile (510/km²). There were 292,780 housing units at an average density of 556 per square mile (215/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.02% White, 27.87% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 3.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 6.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race .

There were 273,416 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 36.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,579, and the median income for a family was $60,608. Males had a median income of $40,934 versus $30,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,352. About 6.60% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law, government and politics

Mecklenburg County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.

The County has two governing bodies: the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Both are nine member boards, with six district representatives and three representatives elected at-large by the entire county. The current chairman of the Mecklenburg BOCC is Jennifer Roberts.

Education and Libraries

School System

One common school district, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), serves the entire county.

Colleges and Universities

Libraries

The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County serves residents of Mecklenburg County. Library cards from any branch can be used at all 24 locations. The library has an extensive collection (over 1.5 million items) of reference and popular materials including DVDs, Books on CD, best sellers, downloadable media, and books.

The Billy Graham Library contains the papers and memorabilia related to the career of the well-known 20th century evangelist, Billy Graham.

Sites of interest

Museums and Libraries

Sports and Entertainment

Music and Performing Arts Venues

Amusement Parks

Other attractions

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ Charlotte Chamber - Population Estimates 2008
  2. ^ "Annexation - Frequently Asked Questions". Official City of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Government Web Site. 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Howard, J. Lee (2000-10-20). "Charlotte ranks high in population growth". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  4. ^ "Fortune 500 Companies". Charlotte Chamber Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  5. ^ "FRB: Press Release--Approval of proposal by Wells Fargo & Company to acquire Wachovia Corporation". Federal Reserve Board. 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  6. ^ "Largest Employers". Charlotte Chamber Web Site. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  7. ^ a b c Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.

35°15′N 80°50′W / 35.25°N 80.83°W / 35.25; -80.83

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