Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Charlotte, North Carolina
State North Carolina
City Charlotte
County1 Mecklenburg
City Population (2005)2 601,598 7.2% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 20 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 20 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Raleigh
State Population (2005)2 8,411,041
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Patrick McCrory
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.charlotte.nc.us/Departments/Mayor/Home.htm
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 704-336-2241
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Republican
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  No
State Governor Name Michael Easley
State/Governor Website http://www.ncgov.com/
State/Governor Contact Information 919-733-5811
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2009
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.22    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 14.8%    
     Disability Status 11.0% 6  
     Emphysema 1.02% 9  
     Cardiovascular Disease 21.91% 12  
     Diabetes 4.54% 11  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.48% 10  
     Adult Asthma 7.76% 23  
     Adult Obesity 22.4%   41
     People Without Health Insurance 15.6%   34
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.8% 45  
     Age: 65 years and over 8.3% 9  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 22.0% 37  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 16.3% 39  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 40.6% 44  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.3% 38  
     Individuals Below Poverty 13.0% 18  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 13.8% 12  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 35.0% 11  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 13.2% 31  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 40.1 (of 51) 59  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 142,897,207 pounds   47
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 170,674,230 pounds 44
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 2,547,261 pounds 24
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 931,657,628 pounds 43
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,197,352,162 pounds 49
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 72.4 grams 38
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.045 tons per person 29
Recycling Rate (1997) 26.0% 25
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 8,130,914 tons 34
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.0 tons/person 6
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 1,520,729 tons 20
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 18.7% 31
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.9% 29
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -4.3% 13
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -28.1% 34
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 463,000 tons   40
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 145,700 tons   37
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 72,865,600 tons   36
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 2,600.0 pounds   37
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 15.7 days 55  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 2.7 PM2.5 38  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 14.9 PM2.5 44  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 12.7 days 55  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 2.3 PM2.5 42  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 14.9 PM2.5 45  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.01 ug/m3 2  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.015 ppm 18  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 24 ug/m3 19  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 15  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 9 days 19  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.9***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Catawba ---  
# of Units in Watershed (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Assessed Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units (Not Available) (Not Available)  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened (Not Available) 1  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed (Not Available) 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 43.09 inches 19  
Water Area Total, square miles 3,954 square miles 17  
Water Area Inland, square miles 3.954 square miles 13  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Charlotte ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 59 years 11  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 112 days 32  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Charlotte ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 59 years 16  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 5.4 inches 41  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 9,290,000,000 gallons/day 31  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,070,000,000 gallons/day 47  
Ground water, gallons/day 535,000,000 gallons/day 48  
Surface water, gallons/day 8,750,000,000 gallons/day 29  
Irrigation, gallons/day 239,000,000 gallons/day 42  
Public Supply, gallons/day 939,000,000 gallons/day 27  
Industrial, gallons/day 385,000,000 gallons/day 36  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 7,420,000,000 gallons/day 25  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 713,000,000 gallons/day 42  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 720,490 people 23  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 8 contaminants 34  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 6 contaminants 34  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 5 contaminants 18  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 111 contaminants 37  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 96 contaminants 37  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 15 contaminants 37  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 2,232.4 people per square mile 54  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 951.2 housing units per square mile 55  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 25.1 minutes 47  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 24.1 minutes 51  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 13.4% 36  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 3.2% 45  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 1.6% 69  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.2% 20  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 100.0 24  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 72.7 MV registrations   10
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 35.0%   17
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 43.4 MV registrations   17
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.02 MV registrations   8
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 102,160 miles   36
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.477%   35
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 23.9%   20
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   17
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 16.70 miles   23
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $3,013,000,000   41
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $29,493 per mile   33
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 61.0%   31
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 23.0 hours per person 30  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $389 per person 32  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $282,000,000 16  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 15 gallons per person 31  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $46,082 10  
Median Household Income (2000) $46,975 6  
Per capita income (2004) $28,731 8  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $26,823 3  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 9.4% 18  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 10.6% 11  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 13.0% 18  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.6% 10  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 13.8% 12  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 27,825 people 48  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.1% 46  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.3% 38  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.0% 36  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.5% 25  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 34.5% 54  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 33.7% 55  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 110,611 kids (1.3% of total pop.) 23  
Largest School District Enrollment 103,336 kids (1.2% of total pop.) 14  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 35.0% 11  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 59.4% 25  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 83.7% 34  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 37.2% 14  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 22% 37  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 240,179 units 21  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 42.8% 41  
Cost of Living: Housing 81.8 32  
Cost of Living: Utilities 90.8 16  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 97.3 20  
Cost of Living: Overall 92.1 32  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 59.26%   34
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 42.60%   36
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 58.20%   35
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 28.3%   32
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 8,189.0 incidents per 100,000 people 57  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,099.1 incidents per 100,000 people 48  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,089.9 incidents per 100,000 people 56  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,743.6 incidents per 100,000 people 52  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.6 parks per square mile 33  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 0.0 parks per city square mile 45  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 23.7 acres 12  
Parkland as % of City Area 4.9% 43  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $52 per resident 15  
Total City Tree Canopy % 36.1% 6  
Total City Urbanized Area % 53.9% 27  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users Yes ---  
Disability Advisory Committees Yes ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.48% 10
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.76% 23
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.97% 14
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.02% 9
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 21.91% 12
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.54% 11  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 22.4% 41
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 9.4% 35
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 14.0% 34
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 8.2% 40
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 200.5 33
Cost of Living: Health 101.9 28  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 16.3% 34
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 15.6% 34
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -4.3% 12
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.6% 10
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 9 farms 36
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 9 markets 35
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 4 other sources 16
Cost of Living: Food 99.2 25
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 73.9% 31
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 36.4% 19
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.6***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) No ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 20 kW   30
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 100 kW   9
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 7.2%   17
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 49 years 27
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 59% 23
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.4 mph 53
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.8 mph 50
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.6 mph 53
Heating Degree Days 3,341 days 19
Cooling Degree Days 1,582 days 43
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 38 years 26
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 82% 40
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 53% 13
Elevation, feet 751 feet 49
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 601,598 20 (of 72 in EDN study) 7.2% of state population
City Population (2000) 540,828 26 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 8,411,041 11 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 4 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 242.0 square miles 20 0.5% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 48,718 square miles 29  
Watershed Name Lower Catawba ---  
Elevation, feet 751 ft. (228.4 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 41.7°F (5.4°C) 28
Average Daily Temperature - July 80.3°F (26.8°C) 49  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.2 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 73.2% 48  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 8.3% 64  
Under 5 years of age 45,295 kids (7.8% of total pop.) 22  
One Race-White % (2005) 57.0% 42  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 43.0% 31  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 9.7% 40  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 13.2% 42  
Largest School District Name Charlotte-Mecklenburg ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network