Charlotte is 21st-largest U.S.
city
Earnest Winston, The Charlotte Observer
Boosted by aggressive annexation laws and a steady influx of newcomers, Charlotte is on the verge of entering the top 20 of America's largest cities.
Between 2000 and July 2002, the city's population grew by about 40,000 people -- roughly the size of Hickory -- according to census estimates to be released today.
That ranks Charlotte 21st on the population list, up from 26th.
The four cities ranked just above -- Boston (at No. 20, it has about 8,700 more people than Charlotte), Milwaukee, Baltimore and Memphis, Tenn. -- either lost population during the period or remained virtually unchanged.
Across the Charlotte region, smaller towns added their chapters to the story of growth. Mint Hill, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Matthews, Hickory, Monroe and Cornelius were among the top 20 fastest-growing N.C. cities. In South Carolina, Rock Hill's growth rate trailed only Mount Pleasant's among cities of more than 50,000 people.
Elsewhere in the Carolinas, Raleigh continued to make up ground on Charlotte. Its population rose 11.2 percent to almost 307,000. Charlotte grew by 7.9 percent, to 580,597, over the same period.
Growth in the Carolinas' largest city was fueled almost equally by annexation and migration. Unlike many states, North Carolina allows cities to absorb unincorporated areas on their borders once they reach a certain population density.
In 2001, for example, annexation added 22,000 residents to Charlotte. Last week, another annexation brought in 10,000 more -- a population increase not reflected in today's census figures that may have moved the city into the top 20.
Continued growth is inevitable. While other major cities such as New York, Washington and Atlanta -- ranked 41st largest -- are landlocked, Charlotte can add 110 square miles. The city's population is expected to reach 1 million by 2035.
The Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury metro area, a 13-county region, is among the country's fastest-growing metropolitan areas, with about 2 million people. That figure is expected to double during the next three decades, roughly equaling the current population of metro Atlanta.
The region's sprawling growth hasn't come without a price. New residents mean more congestion and pollution, and more houses, roads and schools being built at a frantic pace.
But the population gains could have benefits. The growth is expected to boost the city's prestige in national circles. That could translate into new jobs, said Tony Crumbley, of the Charlotte Chamber.
"The fact that we're moving up on that list brings attention to those folks who are looking to (relocate their) corporate headquarters," Crumbley said.
A city's size also helps determine how much federal money it gets. Greg Harper, a demographer with the Census Bureau, said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses census data to help decide how much to allocate as part of its community development block grant program.
Charlotte continues to attract newcomers from other states.
Allison Futterman and her mother, Susan, moved to Myers Park from Los Angeles last year. Their motivation: They wanted to be closer to Long Island, N.Y., where they used to live.
"We just kept hearing about how Charlotte is growing and how the quality of life is good," the daughter said. "When we came down to visit, we saw the Southern hospitality, and that was another reason."
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