Charlotte, NC
28226
Mecklenburg County County · North Carolina · Pop. 54,620
Last updated: May 2026
Charlotte, North Carolina (ZIP code 28226) is home to approximately 54,620 residents. The median household income in 28226 is $108,614, which is 53% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 28226 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $481,864 and the average rent is $2,025/month. 28226 has a violent crime rate of 98.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 74% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 28226 is served by with an average school rating of 7.2/10. Air quality in 28226 is rated Good with an average AQI of 22.5. The average commute time in 28226 is 26 minutes, 1 minutes below the national average. Compare 28226 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 22% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.4x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Charlotte (28226) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 74% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 28226
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte High School | public | 8/10 | 434 |
| Charlotte Academy | public | 8/10 | 791 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 28226 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC (28226)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 74% below the national average
- + Above-average income - median household income of $108,614
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 22.5 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Strong schools - average school rating 7.2/10
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
- − High housing costs - home prices 59% above the national average
- − High rent - average $2,025/month, above the national median of $1,163
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 28226
What is the population of 28226? ▼
The population of ZIP code 28226 in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately 54,620 people.
Is 28226 safe to live in? ▼
Charlotte (28226) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 74% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 28226? ▼
The median household income in 28226 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $108,614. The per capita income is $70,599. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 28226? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 22% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.4x the median income. Median home value: $481,864. Average rent: $2,025/month.
What are schools like in 28226? ▼
Schools in 28226 receive an Education Grade of B. There are 2 schools with an average rating of 7.2/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 28226? ▼
The violent crime rate in 28226 is 98.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 948.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 28226? ▼
The median monthly rent in 28226 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $2,025/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 28226? ▼
The median home value in 28226 (Charlotte, North Carolina) is $481,864. The national median home value is $303,400.
Is 28226 a good place to live? ▼
28226 (Charlotte, North Carolina) has a ZipScore of 76/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is an excellent neighborhood to live in.
What is the air quality in 28226? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 28226 is 22.5 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 6.7 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026