Quality of Life

The Neighborhood Quality of Life Study evaluates social, crime, physical and economic conditions in Charlotte's neighborhoods. Beginning in 1993 with the City Within a City area, the City of Charlotte has monitored the quality of life in its neighborhoods and produced a bi-annual study. The study has been expanded to include all Charlotte neighborhoods and is used by local government to evaluate neighborhood conditions and make changes to improve neighborhood vitality.

The Neighborhood Quality of Life Study divides the City and its future annexation areas into 173 Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSA). Each NSA contains one or more neighborhoods or subdivisions. The study examines 20 neighborhood variables in each NSA mostly collected from local databases maintained by the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The research converts the individual statistical values into NSA neighborhood-ranking categories – stable, transitioning and challenged.

Neighborhood Quality of Life Resources:

2006 Quality of Life Study (pdf)
Historical Quality of Life Data
Find your NSA:
   - Street Address
   - City NSA Map
   - City Within A City Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the study

For the 2006 Neighborhood Quality of Life Study, there have been several improvements to the study and the website. First, each NSA data sheet, which provides profile (background) information and the results of the 20 analysis variables, now has an arrow showing the trend in the NSA variables over the past four years. Second, the 2006 Study provides an overall analysis of NSA's trends showing how variables have changed since 2002. Finally, the website includes historical data from 2000 for the City, CWAC and NSA areas. For more information, see the 2006 Neighborhood Quality of Life Study.

Disclaimer: The Quality of Life Study is a tool used by local government to establish neighborhood policy, service and investment priorities. Because of the lag time in preparing this information, use of this tool for any other purpose may be misleading or not accurately reflect current neighborhood conditions.

For more information about the 2006 Neighborhood Quality of Life Study, call 704-336-2061.