Democratic National Convention: 12 Things to Know About Charlotte

Get to know the DNC's host city.

Welcome to Charlotte - Get to know the city of Charlotte, N.C., the host city for the Democratic National Convention Sept. 4-6. – Britt Middleton. (Photo: charlottein2012.com)

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Welcome to Charlotte - Get to know the city of Charlotte, N.C., the host city for the Democratic National Convention Sept. 4-6. – Britt Middleton. (Photo: charlottein2012.com)

Charlotte's Early History - The first inhabitants of North Carolina were of Native American descent, but eventually American colonists in the 1700s, along with Africans brought to the United States as slaves, would make settlements there. After the Civil War, Charlotte became a boom town for cotton processing and mining, and later took shape as a major financial center in the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo: Wikicommons)

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Charlotte's Early History - The first inhabitants of North Carolina were of Native American descent, but eventually American colonists in the 1700s, along with Africans brought to the United States as slaves, would make settlements there. After the Civil War, Charlotte became a boom town for cotton processing and mining, and later took shape as a major financial center in the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo: Wikicommons)

Population - Total population: 751,087 (source: 2011 U.S. Census Bureau estimate) White: 50 percent African-American: 35 percent Latino: 13. 1 percent (Photo: charlottesgotalot.com)

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Population - Total population: 751,087 (source: 2011 U.S. Census Bureau estimate) White: 50 percent African-American: 35 percent Latino: 13. 1 percent (Photo: charlottesgotalot.com)

Local Economy - Charlotte is the second-largest banking city in the country, after New York City, with financial giants Bank of America and Wells Fargo making their headquarters there. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that there are 68,564 firms operating in the city, with 17.8 percent being Black-owned. Additionally, its economy is driven by agriculture, mining and fishing. (Photo: AP)

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Local Economy - Charlotte is the second-largest banking city in the country, after New York City, with financial giants Bank of America and Wells Fargo making their headquarters there. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that there are 68,564 firms operating in the city, with 17.8 percent being Black-owned. Additionally, its economy is driven by agriculture, mining and fishing. (Photo: AP)

Geography - Charlotte has a total area of 297.68 square miles. The city sits on the Piedmont plateau in Southwestern North Carolina. Charlotte is about 85 miles south and east of the Appalachian Mountains, and about 180 miles northwest of the Atlantic Ocean, according to City-Data.com. (Photo: Google Maps)

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Geography - Charlotte has a total area of 297.68 square miles. The city sits on the Piedmont plateau in Southwestern North Carolina. Charlotte is about 85 miles south and east of the Appalachian Mountains, and about 180 miles northwest of the Atlantic Ocean, according to City-Data.com. (Photo: Google Maps)

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Political Affiliation - Registered Democrats: 292,131 Registered Republicans: 176,472  Total number of registered African-American voters: 203,365 (Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections) (Photo: Davis Turner/Getty Images)

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Political Affiliation - Registered Democrats: 292,131 Registered Republicans: 176,472 Total number of registered African-American voters: 203,365 (Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections) (Photo: Davis Turner/Getty Images)

Unemployment - The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reports that the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes that would result from going over the cliff would send the U.S. economy into a new recession. Unemployment would also rise to 9.1 percent by the end of 2013. (Photo: Matthew Staver /Landov)

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Unemployment - Rate of unemployment in Charlotte: 8.4 percent Rate of unemployment in North Carolina: 9.4 percent (Photo: Matthew Staver/Landov)

Photo By Photo: Matthew Staver /Landov

Average Weather (September) - Average high temperature: 82 degrees F Average low: 61 degrees F (Source: weather.com) (Photo: wsoctv.com)

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Average Weather (September) - Average high temperature: 82 degrees F Average low: 61 degrees F (Source: weather.com) (Photo: wsoctv.com)

City Leadership - Democrat Anthony Foxx is the mayor of Charlotte. Before being elected mayor in 2009, he served two terms on Charlotte's city council as an at-large representative. He additionally serves as chair of the "Charlotte in 2012 Host Committee," a nonpartisan organization established by the city to help the DNC with convention logistics. (Photo: anthonyfoxx.com)

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City Leadership - Democrat Anthony Foxx is the mayor of Charlotte. Before being elected mayor in 2009, he served two terms on Charlotte's city council as an at-large representative. He additionally serves as chair of the "Charlotte in 2012 Host Committee," a nonpartisan organization established by the city to help the DNC with convention logistics. (Photo: anthonyfoxx.com)

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Average Income and Poverty - Average income per household (2006-2010): $68,564 Percentage of residents living below poverty line (2006-2010): 13.9 percent (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) (Photo: GettyImages)

Photo By Photo: GettyImages

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Famous Residents - Singers Sunshine Anderson and Anthony Hamilton and legendary athletes Michael Jordan and Reggie White are among Charlotte's notable residents. (Photos from left: Chris Weeks/WireImage, AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

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Famous Residents - Singers Sunshine Anderson and Anthony Hamilton and legendary athletes Michael Jordan and Reggie White are among Charlotte's notable residents. (Photos from left: Chris Weeks/WireImage, AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Places to Go - Charlotte City Center is the heart of the city's financial hub and is also home to the popular Carowinds amusement park. History lovers will enjoy the mix of contemporary and historic exhibits at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, and sightseeing enthusiasts will be at home while taking a ride on one of the city's trolley lines. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Places to Go - Charlotte City Center is the heart of the city's financial hub and is also home to the popular Carowinds amusement park. History lovers will enjoy the mix of contemporary and historic exhibits at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, and sightseeing enthusiasts will be at home while taking a ride on one of the city's trolley lines. (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Sports Teams - The Charlotte Bobcats basketball team (owned by Michael Jordan) and the Carolina Panthers football team score big points with local sports fans. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)