1. CHARLOTTE IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES’ MOST SIGNIFICANT
METROPOLITAN AREAS
The Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area 2009 population estimate is 1,745,524.
A Leading Headquarters City
Seven Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Charlotte, tying for 8th in a
recent U.S. ranking. Charlotte is home to 31 companies, each with more than $1
billion in annual sales.
Leading Financial Center
More banking resources ($2.3 trillion) are headquartered in Charlotte than all but
one other U.S. city. Five of the nation’s top 25 banks operate in Charlotte. Bank of
America, the nation’s largest and the second largest bank in the world, is
headquartered in Charlotte.
International City
Over 850 foreign-owned firms, representing 42 countries are located in the region
and provide jobs to over 50,000 workers.
Manufacturing Leader
The Carolinas Piedmont Crescent is the U.S.’s fourth largest manufacturing
region, producing $136 billion in goods, and Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest
manufacturing region, producing over $43 billion in goods.
*Source: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce