Bars in Mecklenburg County, NC — Market Data (2023)
146 bars operate in Mecklenburg County, NC, based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns (CBP) data — the same establishment counts the federal government uses for economic statistics.
Market density
That works out to 1.255 establishments per 10,000 residents, 5.5% above the national average of 1.19 per 10,000 residents for bars. Markets with lower density have fewer competitors per capita; markets with higher density have more.
Market data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Establishments | 146 |
| Density (per 10,000 residents) | 1.255 |
| Employment | 2,030 |
| Annual payroll | $49,269,000 |
| Average business size (employees/establishment) | 13.9 |
| County population (2023) | 1,163,701 |
Less saturated nearby markets
These counties have a lower bars density than Mecklenburg County — fewer competitors per capita for the same industry.
- Wake County, NC: 1.126 per 10,000 residents (134 establishments)
- Suffolk County, NY: 1.123 per 10,000 residents (171 establishments)
- Harris County, TX: 1.094 per 10,000 residents (529 establishments)
- San Diego County, CA: 1.064 per 10,000 residents (348 establishments)
See the full Bars by county ranking for all 45 counties with available data.
Frequently asked questions
How many bars are there in Mecklenburg County, NC?
146 bars operate in Mecklenburg County, NC, according to 2023 U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns data.
Is the bars market in Mecklenburg County, NC saturated compared to the national average?
Mecklenburg County, NC has 1.255 bars per 10,000 residents, which is 5.5% above the national average of 1.19 per 10,000 residents. That means more competitors per capita than the typical U.S. county.
What is the average size of a bar business in Mecklenburg County, NC?
The average bar business in Mecklenburg County, NC has about 13.9 employees (2,030 total employment ÷ 146 establishments).
Are there less saturated nearby markets for bars?
Yes — Wake County, NC has a lower density (1.126 per 10,000 residents) than Mecklenburg County, NC, along with 3 other nearby counties listed below.