Charlotte, N.C., will host the Democratic National Convention in September. The city is the corporate headquarters for Bank of America, Duke Energy, Lowe's, and Family Dollar, and its economic base is a mix of manufacturing, retail, education, and transportation. The largest employment sector, banking, has struggled. Home prices fell 13 percent from the peak of the market, but have increased 2 percent over the past year.
Carlos Barria/REUTERS
The skyline of Charlotte, N.C.