Demographics About Concord, North Carolina

An In-Depth Look at the People Who Call Concord Home

Concord is a mid-sized city located just northeast of Charlotte in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. With a population of 94,546 as of 2020, Concord has seen rapid growth in recent decades as people are attracted to its economic opportunities and low cost of living compared to nearby Charlotte.

This article will take an in-depth look at Concord’s demographics—including population trends, racial makeup, household data, education levels, income statistics, and more. Read on to learn all about the people who call Concord home!

Population Growth in Concord

Concord has grown exponentially in the past few decades. Here’s an overview of how Concord’s population size has changed since 1970:

• 1970 population: 15,948
• 1980 population: 25,049 (57% increase over 1970)
• 1990 population: 51,419 (105% increase over 1980)
• 2000 population: 55,977 (9% increase over 1990)
• 2010 population: 79,066 (41% increase over 2000)
• 2020 population: 94,546 (20% increase over 2010)

As you can see, Concord really started to boom in the 1990s and growth has remained strong in every decade since then. Recent population gains are around 20% per decade, indicating that Concord is likely to hit 100,000 residents quite soon.

Racial Makeup of Concord

Concord is predominantly white but has growing racial diversity as well:

• White: 69.5%
• Black or African American: 19.5%
• Asian: 2.6%
• Two or more races: 3.8%
• Other race: 2.7%
• Native American: 0.4%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1%

The Latino population stands at 14.4%, which is included within the categories above.

While still predominantly white, Concord has been getting more diverse over time. The Black and Latino populations in particular have had significant growth compared to decades past.

Households and Families in Concord

There are 37,090 households in Concord with an average household size of 2.45 people. Families make up 63% of all households with 43% being married couple families. Some key facts about households and families include:

• Average household size – 2.45 people
• 37,090 total households
• 23,377 family households (63% of total households)
• 16,011 married couple family households (43% of total)
• 5,011 male householder, no wife present households (14% of total)
• 2,355 female householder, no husband present households (6% of total)

The growth in single-parent led and non-family households reflects broader societal trends taking place across the country.

Education Levels

Concord residents are fairly well educated relative to other parts of North Carolina:

Highest Education Level Reached

Education Level	Percentage
Less than high school diploma	15.2%
High school graduate	32.2%
Some college or Associate’s degree	29.6%
Bachelor’s degree	16.3%
Graduate or professional degree	6.8%

As you can see, over half (52.7%) have some level of college education or higher. Key industries like healthcare and manufacturing that require skilled labor help boost education levels throughout the area.

Income and Poverty Statistics

Despite recent economic growth, incomes are still quite mixed throughout Concord:

• Median Household Income: $50,364
• Per Capita Income: $27,192
• Poverty Rate
  • Overall: 15.7%
  • Under 18 Years Old: 23.8%
  • 65 Years and Over: 11%

While median income is on par with national averages, significant portions still live below the poverty line. Children under 18 in particular face high poverty rates. Recent job growth should continue to boost incomes for many Concord families over time.

Top 5 Largest Industries and Employers

Concord’s economy features a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and education employers:

Largest Industries

1. Manufacturing (15.5% workforce)
2. Healthcare and Social Assistance (14.7%)
3. Retail Trade (12.4%)
4. Education Services (11%)
5. Construction (6.7%)

Largest Employers

1. Atrium Health Cabarrus (healthcare)
2. Cabarrus County Schools (education)
3. Concord Mills Mall (retail)
4. General Motors (manufacturing)
5. City of Concord Government (public administration)

Major manufacturers like General Motors provide stable middle-class jobs while the expanding healthcare sector also creates new openings for skilled workers regularly. Retail jobs at Concord Mills Mall and others also provide employment, though often at lower wages.

Housing Statistics

• Median Home Value: $168,500
• Homeownership Rate: 65%
• Median Rent: $931

Concord provides relatively affordable homes compared to other parts of the fast-growing Charlotte metro. Home prices and rents are well below nearby cities like Harrisburg and Charlotte proper. The higher homeownership rate reflects both more affordable home prices as well as personal preferences.

Religion Statistics

Reflecting both southern heritage as well as national trends, Concord residents mainly identify as some form of Christian:

• Evangelical Protestant: 39%
• Mainline Protestant: 18%
• Historically Black Protestant: 6%
• Catholic: 12%
• Mormon: 1%
• Orthodox Christian: 1%
• Other World Religions: 2%
• Other Faiths: 4%
• Unaffiliated (Atheist, Agnostic, None): 16%

Christian faiths dominate the religious landscape, though 16% are unaffiliated—matching national rises in “Nones”. Mainline denominations like United Methodists have a strong foothold among older residents while younger evangelicals fuel the growth at many contemporary megachurches.

Growth Projections

Concord’s rapid expansion over the past few decades is expected to continue over the coming years:

Population Projections

Year	Projected Population
2025	103,845
2030	112,876
2035	121,218
2040	129,015

Concord will likely hit six digits in total population before 2030 at current rates. While growth may slow somewhat as available land decreases, Concord should still reach 150,000 residents at some point during the 2040s if current trends continue.

Conclusion

In this article, we analyzed Concord’s demographics including population stats, racial makeup, households, education, incomes, top industries and employers, housing, religion, and growth projections. Key takeaways include:

• Rapid population growth expected to hit 100k soon
• Increasing racial diversity but still mostly white
• Median income on par with national average but poverty an issue
• Manufacturing and healthcare top industries
• Homeownership rate higher than national average
• Christian faiths dominate religious life

Concord has a bright future but still has its share of economic and social challenges to overcome in the years ahead. Nevertheless, its friendly small town vibe, low cost of living, and job opportunities will likely continue to attract newcomers going forward.