More Hotels, Restaurants, People in Charlotte for 2020 RNC vs. 2012 DNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Nearly two years to go, but the work is already underway.

Monday the Republican National Committee announced Charlotte will host the RNC August 24th-27th, 2020.

The Queen City will use its experience from the DNC in 2020, but city leaders say things won’t be the same.

“We have a bit more swagger now in the city of Charlotte,” says City Council member James Mitchell.

Mitchell was also part of council back then.

“I think we’re a different city in 2012 and 2020 mostly because of the growth,” he says.

You can see that in Center City, where in 2012 there were just under 17,700 residents.

Now there are more than 27,000.

103,000 people worked in Center City in 2012. Now 125,000 work there.

One big issue – hotel rooms.

There were 4,400 in Center City during the DNC.

There will be at least 7,300 in 20-20.

Demographics have also shifted.

Since 2012, Mecklenburg County has added 18,000 more registered Democrats, while losing more than 7,500 registered Republicans.

According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, there are more than 100 new restaurants or bars in Uptown and South End since 2012.