Charlotte is gaining national recognition as a leader in civic technology and government innovation, securing a top-five ranking in the Center for Digital Government’s 2025 Digital Cities Survey in the category of cities with 500,000 or more residents. After placing eighth in the previous year, Charlotte jumped to fourth place, distinguishing itself as one of the few cities outside of California to earn a top placement in this prestigious annual evaluation of local government tech initiatives. Charlotte NC+1
The survey, conducted by the national research and advisory institute Center for Digital Government (CDG), benchmarks how municipalities use technology to meaningfully improve services, transparency, and community engagement. Charlotte’s recent climb reflects a concerted effort by the city’s Innovation & Technology (I&T) department to develop public-facing digital projects that make government services more efficient and accessible. Initiatives like the Vision Zero Dashboard, which provides interactive, real-time data on traffic safety, showcase how technology is being used to connect residents with important information. Charlotte NC
City leaders credit this achievement not just to technological investment, but to a people-centric approach emphasizing trust, measurable impact, and community collaboration—qualities that were key evaluation criteria for the survey. With a team of long-tenured technology professionals and a focus on thoughtful adoption of innovation, Charlotte is positioning itself as a model for “smart city” progress well beyond its region.
(Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
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