National Center for Healthy Housing

Charlotte, NC

Location Summary

Positive Findings: The Charlotte metro area is the same or better than the national average for holes in floors, open cracks in walls, broken plaster, signs of rats and mice, water leaks from outside, room heater without a flue, rooms without working electrical outlets, lack of complete kitchen facilities, and roofing, siding, window, and foundation problems. Areas outside the central city are statistically less likely to have signs of rats, water leaks from outside, room heaters without a flue, and lack complete kitchen facilities. Compared to the national average, rental homes have fewer open cracks in the walls, signs of rats and mice, water leaks from outside, lack of complete kitchen facilities, and roofing problems.  Owner occupied homes have fewer open cracks in walls, signs of rats, water leaks from outside, room heaters without a flue, and window and foundation problems.

Areas for Improvement: The Charlotte metro area has more water supply stoppage than the national average. Areas outside the central city are more likely to have problems with water leaks from inside, water supply stoppage, flush toilet breakdown, and heating equipment breakdown. Owner occupied units are more likely to have issues with water leaks from inside, water supply stoppage, and flush toilet breakdowns compared to the national average.

Community Information: The Charlotte MSA is comprised of Gabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Union counties, North Carolina; and York County, South Carolina. In 2002, the MSA included 593,700 occupied dwellings. The housing stock of the MSA ranks among the youngest and most heavily rental of the cities surveyed. The percentage of post-1940 homes ranked 14th (6.0%) for the MSA. The median house age in the Charlotte MSA was 1980. The percentage of rental units ranked 13th (28.6%) for the MSA. Compared to other locations, Charlotte had a lower poverty rate. Its poverty rate ranked 12th (9.9%) for the entire MSA.