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 Outer community-level geography. At this scale, the South Outer 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 Outer Community Area Plan, which can be viewed by following the link below.
On November 24, 2025, Charlotte City Council adopted the South Outer Community Area Plan and the Revised Policy Map for this area.
South Outer Location Map – Click to enlarge
Community Area Profile
The South Outer geography is roughly bounded by Interstate 485 to the north, McKee Road to the east, City of Charlotte limits to the south, and Lancaster Highway to the west. The geography includes several north-south avenues, none of which include high-capacity transit service throughout the area. The plan area is composed of curvilinear or cul-de-sac streets that limit connectivity. The area is characterized by a separation of land uses, auto-dependent mobility, and single-family residential. Currently, the area is predominantly characterized by Neighborhood 1, Neighborhood 2, and Commercial Place Types. The South Outer geography is currently home to 62,040 residents (7% 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 13,902 residential units and 20,002 new jobs (9% and 7% of projected citywide growth, respectively).
Understanding these current conditions and expected growth patterns help in determining the specific needs and priorities for the South Outer 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 Outer Community Report.
South Outer Area Map – Click to enlarge
Expected Growth
The South Outer geography is projected to see an increase of 13,902 residential units, which is 9% of the city’s overall residential growth, and 20,002 new jobs, which is 7% 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