Long known as a base for banking and Fortune 500 companies, the state’s most populous metro area is also experiencing growth in financial technology, logistics and advanced manufacturing. The region draws thrill-seekers with screamworthy attractions at Carowinds amusement park and some of the sports world’s fastest and loudest action at Charlotte Motor Speedway in nearby Concord. Others flock to the U.S. National Whitewater Center to ride zip-lines through the trees or splash through the rapids.
BIGGEST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
- UNC Charlotte
- Central Piedmont Community College, multiple locations
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, multiple locations
- Gaston College, multiple locations
ATTRACTIONS
- U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte
- Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord
- Carolina Panthers NFL team, Charlotte
- NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte
- Charlotte Hornets NBA team, Charlotte
- Carowinds amusement park, Charlotte
- Discovery Place, Charlotte
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Belmont
- Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Gastonia
- N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer
- Lake Norman and Lake Wylie
EVENTS
- Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman
- Highland Games, Huntersville, April
- Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival, Charlotte, May
- Circle K Speed Street, Charlotte, May
- Carolina BalloonFest, Statesville, October
- Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree, Ocracoke, October
- Carolina Renaissance Festival, Huntersville, October-November
- Christmas Town USA, McAdenville, December
INDUSTRIES
- Business and financial services
- Corporate headquarters
- Aerospace and defense
- Textiles
- Energy
- Automotive parts manufacturing
COUNTIES
Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union