Looking for a home in Union County, North Carolina? I have been a Realtor here since 1985 and would be happy to help you find a home.
Located on the borderline between North and South Carolina, over 200,000 people call Union County home. This county has several municipalities with Monroe as its county seat. It is a part of the Charlotte-Gastonia metropolitan area.
About Union County
Union County lies in the rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont just to the south of Charlotte. Its close proximity to Charlotte, abundant land for new neighborhoods, and schools' excellent reputation have made Union County one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. Once mostly agricultural and rural in nature, Union County now has 14 municipalities.
Western and Central Union County Municipalities
The western areas are the areas experiencing the highest growth in the county. Such towns in the western area include Weddington, Marvin, Wesley Chapel and Waxhaw. These areas were once known for their horse farms, but they are quickly developing into upscale residential neighborhoods with new commercial areas.
In the central part of the county, from Matthews to Monroe, the towns are planning redevelopment for their downtown areas to create a greater town identity. These towns include Stallings and Indian Trail. Both have excellent access to Charlotte and I-485. Many new businesses are opening along Highway 74 to serve the neighborhoods in Stallings, Indian Trail and Monroe.
Growth and development is not as robust in the northern and eastern parts of Union County. Land development is limited by water and sewer restrictions put in place to protect the endangered heelsplitter mussel that lives in the streams of northern Union County. Therefore, northern and eastern Union County still retain the rural and agricultural roots of the county.
Other Union County Municipalities
Northern Union County has three towns. Hemby Bridge is located between Stallings and Indian Trail with a population of roughly 1,600 residents. The rural and agricultural Town of Fairview was incorporated in 2002 to preserve the rural character of the area. The heart of Fairview is the intersection of Highway 601 and Highway 218. Unionville, encompassing approximately 15,000 acres between Fairview and Monroe, is an old community with longtime traditions including a Fourth of July parade and the Unionville Barbecue every November.
Wingate and Marshville are located along Highway 74 to the east of Monroe. The Jesse Helms Center, located in Wingate, houses exhibits about the former NC senator and sponsors a lecture series which bring national and international leaders to the center. Marshville began as a trading hub for the surrounding farming community and has a park and a new library.
Union County Recreation
Union County is one of the state's top counties for equestrian activities. Many horse farms can be found throughout the area, providing facilities for riding and boarding horses. Several horse trails can be found winding through Cane Creek Park, a property of 1,050 acres of land surrounding a 350-acre trophy bass lake. The park is family-oriented and provides outdoor recreation throughout the year. Water-based activities on the lake include fishing, swimming and boating. The park's campgrounds also include horse campsites for equestrian enthusiasts. Also in Union County are several annual community events, including the Queens Cup Steeplechase in Mineral Springs. The event is one the of sports' major events and is made up of several races and a Jack Russell Terrier judging contest. Over 10,000 people attend this day-long event every April. Golf is also highly popular in Union County thanks to its many courses and fair weather. As many of the golf courses are found with housing developments, opportunities to live near a golf course are great.
Education
Within Union County is Wingate University, a private liberal arts college located in Wingate. The University offers bachelor's and master's degrees as well as a doctorate program in pharmacy at its new school of pharmacy. South Piedmont Community College serves the county as well. The county is served by Union County Public Schools, which manages a total of 50 schools and education centers. The school system includes a program called Academically and Intellectually Gifted for students who display high academic ability and great potential, requiring more advanced education in comparison to their peers.
Copyright 2013. Carol Fox. All rights reserved.
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