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Get to know Uptown Charlotte

Uptown Charlotte, also known as Center City, has exploded in growth over the past 20 years—and it shows no signs of slowing down. New high-rise office buildings and residences continue to go up, adding to the breathtaking skyline. It's quite literally the center of Charlotte, encompassing the interior area of the I-277 beltway. Over 20,000 residents call Uptown home, and this vibrant area is divided into four quadrants at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets: First Ward (east), Second Ward (south), Third Ward (west) and Fourth Ward (north). Each ward has its own distinct character, vibe and history. A fifth area is nearby Midtown, which is just southeast of Uptown and is considered the gateway between Uptown and nearby neighborhoods on the outskirts of Center City.

Nearby Neighborhoods:

Living in Charlotte

The Charlotte area was the site of America’s first gold rush, prompted in 1799 when 12-year-old Conrad Reed found a whopper of a nugget playing in a Cabarrus County creek. Today, people are drawn here by other lodes: booming commerce, vibrant culture, and a subtropical climate that’s palpably milder than just a state or two north. Greater Charlotte represents the fourth-largest metropolitan region in the Southeast and one of the fastest-growing in the entire country. Nearly three million make their home in the 16 counties surrounding the “Queen City,” located in both North and South Carolina—they’ve gained nearly 20% of their collective population over the past decade alone. Countless companies across all industries maintain headquarters, if not a substantial presence, in Charlotte’s thriving urban core, most notably the finance, technology, and higher education sectors. And while “Metrolina” is all well inland, water-borne recreation thrives on Lake Norman, the largest manmade lake in the state, and throughout the Catawba River basin.