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 Outer community-level geography. At this scale, the Southwest 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 Southwest Outer Community Area Plan, which can be viewed by following the link below.
On November 24, 2025, Charlotte City Council adopted the Southwest Outer Community Area Plan and the Revised Policy Map for this area.
Southwest Outer Location Map – Click to enlarge
Community Area Profile
The Southwest Outer geography is roughly bounded by Brown Grier Road and Interstate 485 to the north, Nations Ford Road to the east, Charlotte City limits to the south, and the Catawba River to the west. The geography is traversed by an avenue and regional-serving streets that include high-capacity or express transit service along a portion of the corridor(s). Most development within this geography was constructed during the 1980s through mid- 2000s and is characterized by a separation of land uses and auto-dependent mobility. Currently, the area is predominantly characterized by Neighborhood 1, Manufacturing & Logistics, and Parks and Preserves Place Types. The Southwest Outer geography is currently home to 61,811 residents (7% of the city’s population), with slightly more racial and ethnic diversity and slightly lower college education rates than the citywide average. By 2040, this area is expected to grow by 10,881 residential units and 12,287 new jobs (7% 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 Southwest 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 Southwest Outer Community Report.
Southwest Outer Area Map – Click to enlarge
Expected Growth
The Southwest Outer geography is projected to see an increase of 10,881 residential units, which is 7% of the city’s overall residential growth, and 12,287 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