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 Southwest Middle community-level geography. At this scale, the Southwest 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 Southwest Middle Community Area Plan, which can be viewed by following the link below.
On November 24, 2025, Charlotte City Council adopted the Southwest Middle Community Area Plan and the Revised Policy Map for this area.
Southwest Middle Location Map – Click to enlarge
Community Area Profile
The Southwest Middle geography is roughly bounded by Byrum Drive and Norfolk Southern Railway to the north, Interstate 77 to the east, Interstate 485 to the south, and Steele Creek Road to the west Within the plan area, several major avenues provide north-south and east-west connectivity, which provide existing and planned high-capacity or express transit service to the eastern portion of the geography. The area is primarily auto-oriented, with a mix of single-family development and non-residential development. Currently, the area is predominantly characterized by Neighborhood 1, Campus, and Manufacturing & Logistics Place Types. The Southwest Middle geography is currently home to 23,537 residents (3% of the city’s population), with more racial and ethnic diversity and lower college education rates than the citywide average. By 2040, this area is expected to grow by 5,916 residential units and 8,851 new jobs (4% and 3% of projected citywide growth, respectively).
Understanding these current conditions and expected growth patterns help in determining the specific needs and priorities for the Southwest 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 Southwest Middle Community Report.
Southwest Middle Area Map – Click to enlarge
Expected Growth
The Southwest Middle geography is projected to see an increase of 5,916 residential units, which is 4% of the city’s overall residential growth, and 8,851 new jobs, which is 3% 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