regional overview | at a glance
CharlotteUSA: the region at a
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The Charlotte region’s he Charlotte region consists of over 2.2 million people living economy draws its strength in 16 counties in two different states: 12 counties in North from its remarkable diversity. Carolina and four in South Carolina. It is strategically located In recent years, Charlotte in the center of the East Coast, and the importance of this Eastern time USA has emerged as a prezone location cannot be overestimated. For example, within two hours’ mier banking and financial flight time or one day’s delivery by motor freight, businesses in the center in the United States, Charlotte USA region can reach almost 60 percent of the population of second only to New York the United States and more than 60 percent of the nation’s industrial base. City. Yet, for every financial If you erase the boundary line between North and South Carolina, the services worker in Charlotte, two states together, with Charlotte at the center, consist of more than 12 four others go to work each day in manufacturing plants. million people producing an annual gross domestic product that Charlotte USA is home to the world headquarters of nine Fortune 500 approaches $400 billion. If the Carolinas were a separate country, it would companies, and since 1990, new and expanding businesses have invested have the 12th largest economy in the world, slightly smaller than Australia, more than $18 billion here, creating more and slightly bigger than Switzerland. Charlotte and its than 170,000 new jobs. Charlotte USA is very well connected to sister communities are The Charlotte region is also determined the global economy. More than 1,800 forto preserve its exceptional quality of life. In eign-owned companies employ more than one region, one economy, the global economy, where anything can be 350,000 people in the two Carolinas, and one environmental area, made everywhere and sold anywhere, busimore than one-third of these are located in one society. nesses will increasingly locate and expand the Charlotte region. There are more than - The “simple premise” for the their operations in places where their 165 German-owned companies in the foundation of Charlotte’s regional success. The Pierce Report, 1995. employees like to live and work. The Charlotte region alone. All depend upon a Charlotte region is first in the nation in per capita fundraising for the arts, major international airport for quick and convenient access to the global enjoys multiple professional sports teams, hosts a variety of national economy. As a result of direct flights to Frankfurt, London, and Munich events, and is within two hours drive time of the mountains and three from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Charlotte region is, at hours of the beach. most, one plane change away from any important busiTo make a long story short, more people in the Charlotte region ness destination in the world. have better jobs, earn more money, and enjoy a higher quality of life than ever before.
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Charlotte Region Work Force Education Number
% Total Work Force
1,505,225
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Less Than High School, No Diploma
327,404
21.75%
High School Graduate
421,559
28.01%
College, No Diploma
312,883
20.79%
Associate Degree
101,695
6.76%
Bachelors Degree
245,111
16.28%
96,573
6.42%
Population Age 25+
Graduate or Professional Degree Source: Applied Geographic Solutions, 2004 Estimates
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