Charlotte, NC Elevation: 750 Feet Above Sea Level

Charlotte, North Carolina sits at approximately 750 feet (229 meters) above sea level—firmly in the Piedmont region, not at sea level.

Geographic Context

• Region: Piedmont Plateau—rolling hills between the Blue Ridge Mountains (west) and Coastal Plain (east)
• Coordinates: 35.2271° N, 80.8431° W
• Topography: Gentle ridges and valleys; highest point in city limits ~870 ft (Crowders Mountain area)

Why Elevation Matters

Charlotte's elevation contributes to its climate: hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional snow/ice, and fewer hurricane impacts than coastal cities. The Piedmont's clay-rich soils and rolling terrain shaped historic settlement patterns, cotton agriculture, and later textile mill placement along waterpower sites.

For comparison: Atlanta (~1,050 ft), Raleigh (~315 ft), Charleston (~20 ft). Charlotte's elevation is a defining but often overlooked geographic feature.