The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded esteemed Research 1 – or R1 –  status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is the highest recognition that a doctoral university can receive.

The prestigious classification, indicating “very high research activity,” affirms UNC Charlotte as an elite research institution. With this designation, Charlotte (and East Carolina University, whose R1 designation is also announced today) joins the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Duke University as the only universities in North Carolina in this category.

“Achieving R1 status reflects our commitment to establish Charlotte as a top-tier research institution,” said Chancellor Sharon Gaber. “This milestone is the result of the dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff, whose work attracts top talent and critical support. It also fuels economic growth, with research investments driving a fivefold return, strengthening the regional workforce and contributing to Charlotte’s economy. This achievement is a win not only for our University but for our region.”

Exceeding Expectations
With today’s announcement, 187 degree-granting, postsecondary institutions in the United States are classified by Carnegie as top-tier doctoral research universities. Defined as at the forefront of research and innovation, institutions with R1 designation offer extensive doctoral programs, attract and retain field-leading faculty, and draw significant public and private funding.

Criteria for 2025 R1 status include annual institutional spending of at least $50 million on research and development, and awarding at least 70 research doctorates per year. UNC Charlotte exceeds those thresholds with research expenditures for fiscal year 2023 totaling $92 million, and by awarding an average of 160 doctoral degrees each year.

The ascension to top-tier status reflects the progress Charlotte has made over the past several years toward achieving its stated research goals:

• Among the country’s fastest-growing research universities, climbing 46 spots in 2023 to the top 20% (NSF HERD)
• Top 20% for computer and information sciences
• Top 30% for social sciences, physics, engineering, chemistry
• Third-largest public research university in North Carolina, and the only public university in the state to rank among the nation’s most innovative schools (2025 U.S. News & World Report)
• 66 faculty members with $1 million or more in external grant funding
• 2020-24: 146 new inventions created, 239 patents filed, 18 spin-out companies created; top five nationally per research dollar spent for patents filed and new startups
• 10 internally funded research centers and 11 UNC System centers and institutes; extensive laboratory- and field-based research by hundreds of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate researchers
• Leading CO-LAB, part of the city of Charlotte’s AI-cybersecurity-energy-focused North Tryon Tech Hub, where entrepreneurs and innovators source University expertise for solving real-world challenges.

“Carnegie R1 designation is synonymous with academic excellence, research innovation and impact, the catalysts for research breakthroughs that lead to new technologies, businesses and economic growth,” said John Daniels, vice chancellor for research. “UNC Charlotte – the region’s leading research university – is making a difference where it matters most to the Queen City and its workforce: health care and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy, data science, cybersecurity, AI, business leadership, arts and culture, and more.”

The Carnegie Classification was developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 1970 as a way to distinguish institutions for educational and research purposes; classifications are updated and released every three years. It is managed by the American Council on Education.

Renters across the country are starting to see some relief as the typical late-summer slowdown in the rental market takes hold. Apartment List’s newest report shows nationwide rents fell in August, continuing a seasonal trend that experts expect will last through the end of the year.

Nationally, rents declined 0.2% last month, with economists predicting additional month-over-month drops for the next four to five months as moving activity eases. Year-over-year, rents are down 0.9%, the lowest level since December 2023. Seasonal declines are common, but this year’s slowdown appears sharper as demand softens compared to past years.

In Charlotte, the median rent now stands at $1,418, which is 2.1% lower than last year. That local decline outpaces the statewide average of -1.8% and the national average of -0.9%. However, rents in Charlotte are still climbing faster in 2025 than in 2024. From January to August, rents in the city rose 1.3%, compared to just 0.7% growth over the same period last year.

The Local Outlook:

• Rents in Charlotte fell 0.1% in August, compared to a 0.2% decrease nationwide.
• Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte now stands at -2.1%, up from -3.3% one year ago.
• Today the median rent in Charlotte is $1,290 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,406 for a two-bedroom unit. And the citywide apartment vacancy rate stands at 9%, up 0.9 percentage points from this time last year.

For more national and local insights, check out the latest update in the full Charlotte Rent Report.

Crews are working to contain and clean up a wastewater overflow that spilled into Briar Creek in east Charlotte on Tuesday.

Charlotte Water reported that nearly 2,000 gallons of sewage leaked from a pipe failure at 4013 Rosehaven Drive, near Kilborne Park. Officials confirmed that the sewage entered Briar Creek and eventually reached Lake Wylie downstream.

The utility reminded residents that flushing inappropriate items is a leading cause of pipe blockages. Even products marketed as “flushable,” such as wipes, can clog pipes and contribute to overflows like Tuesday’s incident.

Charlotte Water encourages residents to call 311 or 704-336-7600 immediately if they suspect a sewage spill. The agency said it maintains a 24-hour response team to address wastewater emergencies and limit environmental impacts.

Cleanup efforts will continue until water quality tests confirm bacteria levels have returned to safe conditions.

In an economic landscape that is constantly changing, a city’s prosperity is not only brought by a robust job market, but also by investments in infrastructure, local entrepreneurship, innovation and community.

CoWorkingCafe just cruched the latest economic data across 11 key metrics — including GDP growth, job gains, housing expansion, export strength and infrastructure buildout — all detailed in the methodology section of this study.

Here are a few key details from the 2025 Economic Growth Report:

• Charlotte claimed the 10^th spot among large cities for economic growth.
• The city recorded the second highest unemployment rate drop between 2019-2023 of 1%, while also ranking third in employment rate growth at 1%.
• Population grew by 3.9% over the same period — the fourth-highest increase among large cities — and the GDP surged by 38% and housing by 9%, placing Charlotte fifth nationwide for these metrics.
• Charlotte also saw a 4% increase in educational attainment — the eighth-highest among large cities. The median income in the area grew by 28%, reaching $47,587.
• Other North Carolina cities that faired well were Durham, ranking 13^th among mid-sized cities, with a median income increase of 34% (placing fifth for this metric), and Concord in the 21^st spot among small cities. This city saw a 1% drop in unemployment rate, placing third for this metric.

Full data and methodology: https://www.coworkingcafe.com/blog/top-cities-for-economic-growth