Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
U.S. County|
county = Mecklenburg County|
state = North Carolina |
seal = Mecklenburg County nc seal.gif |
map size = 250|
founded =
1762| seat =
Charlotte | area = 1,415
km² (546
mi²) |
area land = 1,363 km² (526 mi²) |
area water = 52 km² (20 mi²) |
area percentage = 3.65% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 695,454 |
density = 510|
web = www.charmeck.nc.us|}}
Mecklenburg County is a
county located in the
U.S. state of
North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 695,454. Its
county seat is
Charlotte6. It is also the most populous county in the state.
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), 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 was born here in
1795 in what is now Pineville.
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 Parks Helms.
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,415
km² (546
mi²). 1,363 km² (526 mi²) of it is land and 52 km² (20 mi²) of it (3.65%) is water.
Municipalities
Mecklenburg County contains seven (7) 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 west of Charlotte). Extra-territorial jurisdictions within the county are annexed by municipalities as soon as they reach sufficient concentrations.
One common school district, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), serves the entire county.
Adjacent Counties
*
Iredell County, North Carolina - north
*
Cabarrus County, North Carolina - northeast
*
Union County, North Carolina - southeast
*
Lancaster County, South Carolina - south
*
York County, South Carolina - southwest
*
Gaston County, North Carolina - west
*
Lincoln County, North Carolina - northwest
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 695,454 people, 273,416 households, and 174,986 families residing in the county. The
population density was 510/km² (1,322/mi²). There were 292,780 housing units at an average density of 215/km² (556/mi²). 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, and growing. This is especially evident around the town of Pineville/South Blvd. and the area of Eastland/Central in Charlotte.
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.
*
Charlotte*
Cornelius*
Davidson*
Huntersville*
Matthews*
Mint Hill*
Pineville*
Evan Shelby Alexander, born in Mecklenburg County, later
United States Congressman from
North Carolina*
Nathaniel Alexander, born in Mecklenburg County,
United States Congressman and
governor of
North Carolina*
*
City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Government official website*
Charlotte Mecklenburg County Governance*
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
