Immigrants in Mecklenburg County contributed $2.6 billion in taxes and held $7 billion in spending power in 2024, highlighting their vital role in the local economy, according to a new report.
Mecklenburg County, NC, September 18, 2026 – A new report titled *Immigrants in Mecklenburg County*, released today by the American Immigration Council in collaboration with the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte International Cabinet, and International House, emphasizes the significant impact immigrants have on the region’s economy and community.
In 2024, immigrants constituted 17.0 percent of the county’s total population. They represented an even larger share of the working-age population at 20.2 percent, and accounted for 20.1 percent of the employed labor force. Notably, immigrants made up 26.7 percent of workers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Furthermore, immigrant entrepreneurs in the county were found to be 52.9 percent more likely to start their own businesses compared to their U.S.-born counterparts, generating over $659.8 million in business income.
The report was developed as part of the Gateways for Growth Challenge, a competitive initiative that provides localities with research support and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to enhance immigrant inclusion in their communities.
The report’s findings will be highlighted during International House’s event, *The Journey: Share Your Voice; A Community Exhibition and a Celebration of Student Art and Collaborative Research*, scheduled for September 19, 2026, at Queen City Art in Charlotte. This event will showcase artwork created by children of immigrants, part of a project funded by the Foundation for Child Development in collaboration with UNC Charlotte’s Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies, Urban Institute, International House, Queens University of Charlotte, and other community partners. This initiative aims to amplify the voices and experiences of immigrant children in discussions about Charlotte’s future.
“Behind every number in this report is a person, a family, and a story that is part of Charlotte. Gateways for Growth matters because it helps us understand our community not only through data, but through the lived experiences of the people who call this city home,” said Saira Estrada, Language Access & Immigrant Integration Coordinator for the City of Charlotte. “As Charlotte continues to grow, we want every resident to know they belong in that growth and have a place in the future we are building together.”
According to Susan Bird, Executive Director of International House, “The report tells a story through data. Immigrants contribute to the high quality of life we enjoy in Mecklenburg County, facilitating economic growth, infusing talent and innovation, and revitalizing neighborhoods. Strengthening our efforts to help immigrants thrive is ultimately an investment in Charlotte.”
Stephanie Potochnick, director of UNC Charlotte’s Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of immigrant children. “The report underscores how essential immigrants are to our community’s economic and cultural vitality. It is equally important to recognize the experiences and contributions of their children. Children of immigrants make up one in four children in Mecklenburg County, yet their voices are often missing from conversations about our community’s future.”
Juan Avilez, policy associate of state and local initiatives at the American Immigration Council, noted, “Immigrants are helping power Mecklenburg County’s economy and strengthen its neighborhoods. As captured in this report, their contributions as entrepreneurs, workers, and innovators, combined with the cultural richness they bring to the county, make them an indispensable part of the county’s present and future prosperity.”
Sorayda Díaz León, Senior Manager of Welcoming Network at Welcoming America, added, “Much of what makes a community welcoming happens where no one is watching — in planning meetings, data reviews, and quiet conversations between people trying to get it right. Charlotte’s participation in Gateways for Growth is all of that, mostly invisible to residents, but it shapes whether people can access opportunity, whether their voices are included, and whether they truly feel at home here.”
The report reveals several key findings about the immigrant population in Mecklenburg County:
Immigrants are driving growth in the county. From 2019 to 2024, the total population of Mecklenburg County increased by 7.1 percent, with immigrants accounting for 20.2 percent of that growth. Consequently, 42.7 percent of the total population increase was attributed to immigrants.
Immigrants are crucial to meeting labor force demands. In 2024, immigrants were 24.0 percent more likely to be of working age than their U.S.-born counterparts.
Immigrants contribute significantly to the federal safety net. In 2024, they paid $1.8 billion in federal taxes and $803.7 million in state and local taxes in Mecklenburg County.
Immigrants are essential in key industries. While making up 17.0 percent of the county’s total population, immigrants represented 20.5 percent of transportation and warehousing workers, 49.8 percent of construction workers, and 19.2 percent of hospitality workers in 2024.
Immigrants are establishing deep roots in the community. As of 2024, 72.6 percent of immigrants in Mecklenburg County had lived in the United States for more than five years.
The full research brief is available on the American Immigration Council’s website.
According to the American Immigration Council, the organization works to strengthen America by shaping perceptions and actions towards immigrants and advocating for a fair and just immigration system that recognizes the contributions of immigrants.