M E C K L E N B U R G C O U N T Y : C O M M U N I T Y P U L S E
2015

Mecklenburg County has the largest population of any county in the State of
North Carolina. The County includes the City of Charlotte, towns of
Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville (north of Charlotte); and the towns of
Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (south and southeast of Charlotte).
Mecklenburg County is home to more than 990,000 residents making it the most populous county between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, DC.
Sitting nicely in the Piedmont, between the mountains and the coast,
Mecklenburg County has attracted a large and growing number of people from around the country and the world in recent years. As a major hub for one of the country’s largest airlines it is easy to get here. This access has helped attract several Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. With a world-renowned park and recreation system, robust tree canopy and a range of professional sports teams, people who come here find an energized downtown and range of living options from urban to suburban.
The 2015 Mecklenburg County: Community Pulse report includes economic, social and environmental metrics and indicators for Mecklenburg County.
The report provides the community with information on the current state of
Mecklenburg County and an indication of where the County is headed in the next several years. The report reflects the County’s social and community capital. Although the County has seen significant positive growth and change over the last decade, there are areas of opportunity to make it an even better place for all. The report highlights information on the local economy; demographic composition of residents; educational attainment and income earnings; health behaviors; and air, land and water quality indicators. These topics should be informative to the community, as these areas all play a pivotal role in making Mecklenburg County a great place to
LIVE, WORK and RECREATE.
3 Demographics
12 Education
17 Poverty
23 Economy
27 Health
35 Environment

DEMOGRAPHICS 4
Source: U.S. Census 2010 to the 2013 population estimates.
1,200,000
923,390
939,802
962,460
991,867
1,010,190
1,032,073
1,075,841
1,053,956
1,097,721
1,119,605
1,138,336
1,000,000
800,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
• The population of Mecklenburg County is projected to grow by 24% from 2010 to 2020.
• North Carolina’s population is projected to grow by 11% during the same time period.
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management

5 DEMOGRAPHICS
21%
7%
19%
"Unnamed" Generation (Born after 2001)
Millennial Generation (1980-2000)
Generation X (1965-1979)
Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964)
Silent Generation (Born before 1946)
30%
23%
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
1,000,000
800,000
58,938
174,388
600,000
213,404
70,156
204,778
229,389
83,291
222,372
247,725
97,308
241,683
265,284
400,000
290,962 309,778
321,245
332,733
200,000
-
185,698 196,089
201,208 204,480
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Under 13 14 to 34 35 to 49 50 to 68 Over 69
In 2014, there were an estimated 274,000 persons over the age of 50. By 2020, there will be an estimated 330,000 persons over the age of 50.
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
DEMOGRAPHICS 6
20%
20%
17%
15%
15%
13%
12%
10%
9%
5%
0%
2010
North Carolina
2020
Mecklenburg
2030
Over the next 15 years, person age 65 and older will be the fastest growing segment of
Mecklenburg County's population.
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management
35
34
33
32
31
40
39
38
37
36
37.4
37.64
37.78
37.95
38.11
38.28
38.45
38.62
33.9
34.32
34.52
34.63
34.96
35.26
35.54
35.82
38.79
36.1
38.97
36.4
39.1
36.7
2010 2011 2018 2019 2020 2012 2013 2014
North Carolina
2015 2016 2017
Mecklenburg
Source: North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management

7 DEMOGRAPHICS
American Indian and Alaska
0.8%
Asian
5.2%
Hispanic or Latino
12.6%
Native Hawaiian and
Other Pacific Islander
0.1%
White alone, not
Hispanic or Latino
49.3%
Black or
African American
32.1%
In 2012, Mecklenburg County became a “majority-minority” county.
Source: 2013 US Census Bureau State & County Quick Facts
#1
#2
#3
Source: UNC Carolina Population Center: Carolina Demography
DEMOGRAPHICS 8
Mecklenburg
County
Net Migration to/from Mecklenburg County, N.C.
-1,331 2,376
Source: Census 2008-2012 5-year ACS county-to-county migration flows

9 DEMOGRAPHICS
Mecklenburg County: Net migration by U.S. state
According to the U.S. Census Bureau:
2008-2012 American Community
Survey 5-Year Estimates for
Mecklenburg County, the top locations persons moved from were
Suffolk County, New York (county seat is Town of Riverhead on Long
Island), second most common was
Miami-Dade County, Florida (county seat is Miami), and third was Hudson
County, New Jersey (county seat is
Jersey City).
The top locations persons moved to were Union County, North Carolina, the second most common was York
County, South Carolina, and the third was Tarrant County, Texas (county seat is Fort Worth).
DEMOGRAPHICS 10
Mecklenburg County: Net migration by N.C. county
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; Chart by UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
Note: Net flows under 100 are not shown.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; Chart by UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
Note: Net flows under 100 are not shown.

11 DEMOGRAPHICS
Veterans Affairs' Expenditures and Veterans Population
(by federal fiscal year)
$300,000,000
$250,000,000
$200,000,000
$150,000,000
$100,000,000
$50,000,000
$0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Insurance/Indemnity Education Medical Compensation/Pension Population
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

13 EDUCATION
90%
85.1%
82.5%
80.4%
83.8%
80% 77.9% 81.0%
74.2%
76.4%
73.5%
70%
69.9%
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
North Carolina
60%
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
*Cohort graduation rate is the percent of students who started the ninth grade together who completed high school in four years or less.
Fifteen high schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system had a four-year cohort graduation rate of over 90%:
1. Cato Middle College High School (100%)
2. Military & Global Leadership Academy at Marie G. Davis (100%)
3. Ardrey Kell High School (97.7%)
4. Providence High School (97.3%)
5. Northwest School Of The Arts (96.9%)
6. Mallard Creek High School (95.8%)
7. Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (95.5%)
8. Math, Engineering, Technology & Science at Olympic High (92.8%)
9. W. A. Hough High School (92.4%)
10. North Mecklenburg High School (92.3%)
11. David W. Butler High School (91.8%)
12. Renaissance School at Olympic High School (91.5%)
13. Myers Park High School (91%)
14. South Mecklenburg High School (90.8%)
15. Hawthorne High School (90.6%)
Source: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
EDUCATION 14
100%
80%
84.9%
76.4%
86.6%
84.4%
86.5%
83.2%
71.3%
65.5%
91.1%
86.5%
76.6%
71.1%
93.0%
87.3%
82.6%
74.3%
60%
61.6%
54.6%
66.8%
58.0%
40%
2012
White Asian
2013
Black Hispanic
2014 2010 2011
Over the past five years, graduation rates for all racial/ethnic categories have improved and gaps between groups have narrowed.
Source: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

15 EDUCATION
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
18.7%
28.2% 28.3%
13.6%
11.2%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Less than high school diploma
High school
Graduate
(includes equivalency)
Some college or associate’s degree
Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree
According to the U.S. Census 2013 American Community Survey, more than 70% of
Mecklenburg County residents have at least some college, an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or graduate/professional degree.
EDUCATION 16
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$-
$18,257
Less than high school diploma
$24,797
$30,462
High school
Graduate
(includes equivalency)
Some college or associate’s degree
$50,510
$67,022
Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree
• County residents with graduate or professional degrees earn a median income
that is 2.5 times higher than the median income for someone with only a high
school education.
• The median household income in Mecklenburg County is $55,444
(U.S. Census 2009-2013 data).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

POVERTY 18
40%
30%
30.9%
20%
16.2%
11.6%
10%
4.9%
0%
Less than high school graduate
High school graduate
(includes equivalency)
Some college, associate's degree
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Poverty rate is a key economic indicator used to evaluate economic conditions within communities. It measures the percentage of individuals whose income is below the poverty threshold. The poverty rate for Mecklenburg County residents decreases as the amount of education increases.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

19 POVERTY
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$36,384
$30,000
$20,000
$11,888
$15,142
$10,000
$18,552
$23,834
$28,265
$31,925
$40,484
$48,065
$-
1 2 3 4 5 6
SIZE OF FAMILY UNIT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Weighted Average Poverty Thresholds, 2013
7 8 9
20.0%
18.0%
16.0%
14.0%
12.0%
10.0%
8.0%
6.0%
14.3%
10.7%
2007
14.6%
10.5%
2008
16.3%
14.0%
17.5%
15.3%
2009 2010
17.9%
17.1%
18.0%
15.9%
2011
17.9%
15.2%
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2012 2013
In 2013, an estimated 147,896 Mecklenburg County residents lived below the poverty line.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2013 American Community Survey 1 Year Estimates
POVERTY 20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau: 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

21 POVERTY
Hourly Wages
Living Wage
Poverty Wage
Minimum Wage
1 Adult
$10.02
1 Adult,
1 Child
1 Adult,
2 Children
1 Adult,
3 Children
2 Adults
2 Adults,
1 Child
2 Adults,
2 Children
2 Adults,
3 Children
$19.68 $24.41 $30.39 $15.19 $18.29 $19.76 $22.92
$5.21
$7.25
$7.00
$7.25
$8.80
$7.25
$10.60
$7.25
$7.00
$7.25
$8.80
$7.25
$10.60
$7.25
$12.40
$7.25
The poverty wage and minimum wage are lower than the living wage for all groups.
This means that many families earn less than living wage.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Living Wage Calculator: http://livingwage.mit.edu/
Food Preparation and Serving Related
Personal care and Services
Building and Grounds Cleaning and maintenance
Healthcare Support
Sales and Related
Transportation and Material Moving
Farming, Fishing and Forestry
Production
Office and Administrative Support
Protective Service
Construction and Extraction
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media
Community and Social Services
Installation, Maintenance and Repair
Education, Training and Library
Legal
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical
Life, Physical and social Science
Business and Financial Operations
Architecture and Engineering
Computer and Mathematical
Management
$0.00
$5.00
$8.69
$9.20
$9.87
$10.63
$11.27
$12.70
$12.87
$13.58
$14.33
$15.31
$15.34
$18.12
$18.22
$18.48
$19.30
$10.00
$15.00
$25.79
$26.09
$26.62
$27.70
$30.58
$35.54
$43.89
$20.00
$25.00
$30.00
$35.00
$40.00
$45.00
$50.00
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Living Wage Calculator: http://livingwage.mit.edu/
POVERTY 22
Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Population on
January 29, 2014
1,200
800
1,030
811
Sheltered
Unsheltered
400
-
155
Homeless Individuals
9
People in Homeless
Families
9
Unaccompanied
Youth
• The Point in Time (PIT) Count is federally mandated to determine the prevalence and
characteristics of homeless people in the United States.
• This is an unduplicated one-night count of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless
populations. Mecklenburg County's count occurred on January 29, 2014.
• The PIT Count is a useful tool in understanding homelessness at a point in time but does
not capture all the people who:
- Experience periods of homelessness over the course of a year.
- Are living in motels, staying with family/friends, in jail or living in a treatment facility.
- Are unsheltered but not visible on the day of the count.
Source: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Point in Time Count Report

ECONOMY 24
(not seasonally adjusted)
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
Meck N.C.
U.S.
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Before the recession, unemployment was between four and six percent, for the United
States, North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County. Beginning in 2009, the State and
County saw higher unemployment rates than the national average.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

25 ECONOMY
Employment by Industry (2007 and 2013)
Educational Services
Transportation and Warehousing
Manufacturing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Professional and Technical Services
Administrative and Waste Services
Accommodation and Food Services
Health Care and Social Assistance
Retail Trade
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
0 20000 40000 60000 80000
2007 Average Employment
Total Employment: 566,205
2013 Average Employment
Total Employment: 585,166
Largest Industries, 2013 by Employment
Mecklenburg County now has more jobs than before the recession. Total employment has grown from approximately 566,000 in
2007 to 585,000 in 2013. Health care related employment is now the largest category.
Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate fell from the largest category of employment in 2007 to the second largest in 2013.
Construction
Transportation
Warehousing and
Manufacturing
Other
Educational
Services
Wholesale
Trade
Professional and
Technical Services
Source: NC Department of Commerce – Labor & Economic Analysis Division
Health Care and
Social Assistance
Finance,
Insurance, Real Estate
Retail Trade
Administrative and Waste
Services
Accommodation and Food Services
ECONOMY 26
Mecklenburg County Single-Family Building Permits
10,000
9,000 8,564
8,345 8,357
8,000 7,591
8,463 8,473
7,000
9,287
6,857
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
2,496
1,315
1,869
1,949
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
3,200
3,863
3,340
2012 2013 2014
Single-family building permits indicate growth in housing. Building permits are an economic indicator that signal consumer confidence, and also provide insight into complementary spending in the local economy. Mecklenburg County experienced strong growth in housing through the early 2000s. During the economic recession, fewer permits were requested, indicating fewer homes were being built during those years. Single-family building permits have slowly recovered, though not yet to pre-recession levels.
Source: United States Census Bureau

3 HEALTH
HEALTH 28
% Premature Deaths (< 65 years) due to four major chronic conditions
(Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke)
53%
51%
50%
50.4%
49.2%
50.9%
50.2%
50.9%
48.9%
50.3%
48.3%
48%
47%
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2009 2010 2011 2012
50.2%
48.1%
2013
• Mecklenburg County residents ranked Chronic Disease as the leading public health
concern (2013 Community Health Assessment).
• A review of local mortality data show one-third of all deaths are premature (occurring
before 65 years) and four major chronic diseases account for nearly 50% of all
premature deaths in Mecklenburg County. Chronic diseases are tied to several
modifiable risk factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity.
• The percent of premature deaths related to chronic conditions has declined over time
and is below the State average. Despite these improvements, chronic diseases remain
widespread and costly health problems for the County. In 2013, nearly 189,000 residents
(19%) reported having two or more chronic conditions. During this same time period,
hospital in-patient charges due to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke totaled
over $533 million for Mecklenburg County residents.
Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, 2009-2013

29 HEALTH
100%
80%
60%
61%
66%
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
40%
21%
27%
17%
20%
20%
11% 12%
0%
Percent of Adults who are Current Smokers
Percent of Adults who are Overweight or Obese
Percent of Adults with No
Physical Activity
Percent of Adults
Consuming 5 or More
Fruits and Vegetables
Per Day
• Tobacco Use:
Approximately 170,000 Mecklenburg County adults report currently smoking tobacco.
• Overweight/Obese:
More than 604,000 Mecklenburg County residents are either overweight or obese.
• Physical Activity:
Nearly 1 in 5 Mecklenburg County residents report being physically inactive.
Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance, 2013
HEALTH 30
20%
15%
10%
16.5%
16.1%
5%
0%
2009
Percent of Population Uninsured
17.1%
16.8%
17.0%
16.3%
16.5%
16.5%
2010 2011
17.7%
15.6%
2012
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2013
• Over 174,000 residents in Mecklenburg County are estimated to be uninsured. This
estimate does not reflect 2014 enrollments under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• In a 2013 Community Health Assessment by Mecklenburg County, Mecklenburg County
residents ranked Access to Care as the third leading public health concern.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009 - 2013 Population estimates

31 HEALTH
16
12
8
12.4
9.6
4
0
2009
Suicide Mortality Rates per 100,000 population
12.2
10.8
2010
12.4
9.8
2011
13.1
8.6
12.9
8.2
2012
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2013
• In a 2013 Community Health Assessment by Mecklenburg County, Mecklenburg
County residents ranked Mental Health as the second leading public health concern.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for residents aged 25 to 64 years.
• Despite recent improvements, teens remain at increased risk for suicide. In 2011,
an estimated 15% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school students reported
attempting suicide at least once in their lifetime.
Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics, 2009-2013
HEALTH 32
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
15%
14%
Poor mental health for more than 7 days a month
16%
14%
15%
15%
2011 2012
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2013
• Poor Mental Health Days is the average number of days in the previous 30 days
adults report their mental health was not good. Poor mental health days provide a
general indication of wellness, health related quality of life, and mental distress.
• The percent of Mecklenburg County residents reporting seven or more poor mental
health days in the past 30 days is similar to the State’s average rate. However,
disparities exist across income levels, with individuals making less than $50,000
annually reporting twice as many poor mental health days as those making
$50,000 or more.
Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance, 2009-2013

33 HEALTH
HIV infection rates by Date of Diagnosis, rate per 100,000
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
37.1
17.5
2009
33.8
15.3
2010
34.2
15.4
2011
27.9
13.8
31.0
15.6
2012
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2013
• An estimated six new HIV cases are diagnosed in Mecklenburg County each week.
• HIV infection includes all initial diagnoses of HIV as well as those diagnosed with AIDS.
As of December 31, 2013, over 5,200 persons are living with HIV/AIDS in
Mecklenburg County.
• For example, African Americans account for less than 33% of the County’s total
population but represent more than 70% of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Source: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics, 2009-2013
HEALTH 34
6
5
4
1
0
3
2
4.3
3.4
2010
HIV infection Death Rates, rate per 100,000 population
4.9
2.8
2011
4.1
2.6
2012
4.2
2.7
Mecklenburg
North Carolina
2013
• From 2001 to 2010, HIV disease death rates in the County decreased approximately 200%,
from 13.3 deaths per 100,000 to 4.3 per 100,000.
• Racial and ethnic disparities related to HIV deaths persist. African-Americans are nearly 12
times more likely to die of HIV in Mecklenburg County than are Whites.
Source: Park and Recreation Infographic October 2014

ENVIRONMENT 36
240
109
149
44
18
7
21
14
5
5
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
210+
240
Source: Park and Recreation Infographic October 2014
Annual Average Quality Index - Meclenburg County, NC
• The two primary
contributors to
Mecklenburg County’s
Air Quality Index (AQI)
are particulate matter
and ozone.
• The most significant
sources of air pollution
are mobile sources
(such as vehicles).
Source: Mecklenburg County 2014 State of the Environment Report http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/SOER/Pages/AirQuality.aspx

37 ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT 38
In Fiscal Year 2014, 34% of residential solid waste in Mecklenburg County was diverted away from landfills to be recycled or composted; this is an increase from 33% in Fiscal
Year 2013 and 31% in Fiscal Year 2012.
Source: Mecklenburg County – Land Use and Environmental Services Agency - Solid Waste Division
The Miles Suitable Program Measure is based on bacteria counts in the streams.
The percentage of suitable streams has been improving since the program’s
inception in 1998. Prior to 1998 only 15% of Mecklenburg County creeks were “suitable for
prolonged human contact and recreational opportunity and supportive of various species
of aquatic life;” by 2014 that percentage had risen to 82%.
Sources: Mecklenburg County State of the Environment Report http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/S OER/Pages/streams.aspx
Mecklenburg County Surface Water Improvement & Management (S.W.I.M ) Program http://charmeck.org/stormwater/regulations/Docum ents/SWIM%20Ordinance%20Documents/CountyS WIMInitiative.pdf

Mecklenburg County Manager's Office - Office of Management and Budget
600 East Fourth Street – 11th Floor Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 | 980-314-2900 | MecklenburgCountyNC.gov