Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Mecklenburg County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 695,454. Its county seat is Charlotte6.
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History
Mecklenburg County was formed in 1762 from the western part of Anson County. It was named for Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818), who had become queen consort of King George III the previous year. She is also the eponym of Mecklenburg County's county seat and largest city, Charlotte.
In 1768 the part of Mecklenburg County west of the Catawba River became Tryon County. In 1792 the northeastern part of Mecklenburg County became Cabarrus County. Finally, in 1842 the southeastern part of Mecklenburg County was combined with the western part of Anson County to become Union County.
James Knox Polk was born here in 1795 in what is now Pineville.
Law and government
Mecklenburg County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,415 km² (546 mi²). 1,363 km² (526 mi²) of it is land and 52 km² (20 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.65% water.
Townships
The county is divided into fifteen townships, which are both numbered and named: 1 (Charlotte), 2 (Berryhill), 3 (Steel Creek), 4 (Sharon), 5 (Providence), 6 (Clear Creek), 7 (Crab Orchard), 8 (Mallard Creek), 9 (Deweese), 10 (Lemley), 11 (Long Creek), 12 (Paw Creek), 13 (Morning Star), 14 (Pineville), and 15 (Huntersville).
Adjacent Counties
- Iredell County, North Carolina - north
- Cabarrus County, North Carolina - northeast
- Union County, North Carolina - southeast
- Lancaster County, South Carolina - south
- York County, South Carolina - southwest
- Gaston County, North Carolina - west
- Lincoln County, North Carolina - northwest
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 695,454 people, 273,416 households, and 174,986 families residing in the county. The population density is 510/km² (1,322/mi²). There are 292,780 housing units at an average density of 215/km² (556/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 64.02% White, 27.87% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 3.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 6.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 273,416 households out of which 32.10% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% are married couples living together, 12.40% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% are non-families. 27.60% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.90% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 36.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $50,579, and the median income for a family is $60,608. Males have a median income of $40,934 versus $30,100 for females. The per capita income for the county is $27,352. 9.20% of the population and 6.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.50% of those under the age of 18 and 9.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
External links
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