This Community Area Plan (CAP) is one tool to support implementation of the citywide Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map, providing more detailed guidance for land use, building form, mobility, open space, and public facilities for the South Middle community-level geography. At this scale, the South Middle CAP provides a coordinated, efficient, and effective structure for identifying nuanced and locally-specific needs and priorities. It also provides a structure for developing strategies and recommendations to address those needs and priorities and for contributing to the community’s overarching goal to create a more equitable Charlotte.
This E-Plan serves as a summary of the complete, adopted South Middle Community Area Plan, which can be viewed by following the link below.
On November 24, 2025, Charlotte City Council adopted the South Middle Community Area Plan and the Revised Policy Map for this area.
South Middle Location Map – Click to enlarge
Community Area Profile
The South Middle geography is roughly bounded by Randolph and Sardis Roads to the north, Interstate 485 to the east and south, and Interstate 77, Archdale Drive and Briar Creek to the west. The geography includes several major avenues which provide north-south connectivity and include high-capacity or express transit service. The area is predominately auto-oriented, single-family neighborhoods. Currently, the area is predominantly characterized by Neighborhood 1, Neighborhood 2, Commercial, and Manufacturing & Logistics Place Types. The South Middle geography is currently home to 171,084 residents (18% of the city’s population), with less racial and ethnic diversity and higher college education rates than the citywide average. By 2040, this area is expected to grow by 17,731 residential units and 14,028 new jobs (11% and 5% of projected citywide growth, respectively).
Understanding these current conditions and expected growth patterns help in determining the specific needs and priorities for the South Middle area. Specifically, this profile sets the foundation for understanding how local growth and change can contribute to a more equitable city for all by increasing opportunity and access and by reducing harmful impacts. More information about existing conditions can be found in the South Middle Community Report.
South Middle Area Map – Click to enlarge
Expected Growth
The South Middle geography is projected to see an increase of 17,731 residential units, which is 11% of the city’s overall residential growth, and 14,028 new jobs, which is 5% of the city’s total job growth, by the year 2040.
Data Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 2019, Quality of Life Explorer (QOL) 2020, Community Viz Model 2020, CPA Prioritization Matrix 2019