CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Apartment construction in North Carolina is booming, and Charlotte is leading the charge. The Charlotte metro is projected to add 16,995 new apartments in 2025, placing it 6th nationwide and well ahead of other North Carolina metros combined, according to RentCafe.com’s latest Apartment Construction Report.
Even more striking is Charlotte’s performance at the city level. With 12,365 new apartments expected to open this year, Charlotte ranks 2nd in the nation, behind only Austin, Texas (15,195 units). This surge cements Charlotte’s reputation as one of the most dynamic rental markets in the United States.
Across North Carolina, 35,502 apartments are projected for delivery in 2025, making the state the #4 market nationwide for new rental construction. Nearly half of these units are concentrated in Charlotte, underscoring the metro’s central role in meeting housing demand fueled by population growth and economic expansion.
Other major metros in the state are showing mixed trends. Raleigh is expected to see a steep 44% decline in apartment construction, while Wilmington is down about 29%. Meanwhile, Durham, Greensboro, and Asheville trail far behind Charlotte in projected deliveries.
Charlotte’s year-over-year growth of 12.4% bucks the slowdown facing many other large U.S. metros. For comparison, the Charlotte metro is adding nearly as many apartments as Atlanta, which ranks just ahead with only 517 more units. Charlotte is also outpacing Miami, which lands slightly behind in the rankings.
At the national level, more than 500,000 new rentals are expected to open in 2025, with the South dominating the market share. Charlotte’s continued strength is reflective of the region’s pull for renters seeking affordability, jobs, and lifestyle amenities.
For renters, the wave of new supply could help ease some of the pricing pressure that has defined Charlotte’s housing market in recent years. For developers and investors, the Queen City’s position signals continued confidence in long-term demand, particularly in transit-friendly and mixed-use communities that cater to young professionals and families relocating to the metro.
Originally reported by Deeandra Michel in WCCB Charlotte.
.webp)
