Do you love horses? Union County, North Carolina, might be the ideal place for you to live. It has the highest horse population in North Carolina. How about a preference for wide-open spaces and a rural lifestyle? This county was built on abundant natural resources with large areas untouched by urban development. While you’ll find miles of pastureland and scenic hills, living in Union County is swiftly changing as the Charlotte metro expands, gifting residents with the benefits of a major metropolitan area.

These two worlds–the country lifestyle and the big city–meet in Union County, NC. So if you desire a unique blend of a rural lifestyle with modern amenities, explore our Union County profile. Get a glimpse of life here to see if it’s perfect for you.

About Union County, NC

Find this special county in south-central North Carolina directly southeast from Charlotte. Part of the Piedmont region, Union County’s advantage lies in its rural lifestyle. Around 46% of the land here has a farm designation. Vast land tracts are virtually untouched by urban development and likely will remain critical agricultural land rather than being converted into housing. In 2022, the county was the number one producer in the state for wheat and soybeans and third overall in grain crops. It was third for poultry and egg production. Drive around, and you’ll see many horse barns and pastureland. 

Rolling hills dotted with lakes and agricultural fields make up the landscape. The Rocky River on the north and Six Mile Creek to the west wind along the border. Northern Union County touches Stanly and Cabarrus Counties, while Anson County is on its east. Chesterfield and Lancaster Counties in South Carolina share its southern boundary. 

Union County’s northwestern borders are Mecklenburg County and the metropolitan destination Charlotte, a large city with over 850,000 residents. The Interstate-485 Beltway provides direct access to Mecklenburg and Charlotte toll road, which touches the Union County line. Jump on Highway 74 or the Monroe Expressway to quickly reach Charlotte’s amenities while enjoying the more relaxed pace of life available in Union’s suburban areas and small towns.

Cost of Living

Based on the cost of living index, which places the United States average at 100, the overall cost of living in Union County is 106.5. The lowest cost of living index category was groceries, while the most expensive was housing. Part of that is the vast acres of land, but another is the desirability of some of Union County’s communities near the Charlotte metro. Some of its zip codes have the highest median prices in the metro.

However, transportation and miscellaneous costs are above average, too. Healthcare costs did run beneath the national average. The overall cost of living in Union County is 4% than the City of Charlotte.

Union County History

The Waxhaw and Catawba peoples were the first to live in the lands we today know as Union County. Early surveyors noted the presence of the tribes and their lifestyle practices. European settlers immigrated to the area and began farming in its fertile soils. It primarily remained an agricultural community, even as it split from Anson and Mecklenburg counties in 1842. The name originated as a compromise from a political dispute between local Whigs and Democrats. Centrally located Monroe was established as its county seat.

US President Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw near the North Carolina and South Carolina border. Both states lay claim to his birthplace, but Union County has the Museum of the Waxhaws and Andrew Jackson Memorial.

The closest involvement to a skirmish on Union County soil was the Battle of Waxhaws during the American Revolution in 1780. No reported battles or skirmishes took place here during the American Civil War.

During World War II, the US Armys et up a temporary training camp near Monroe. Camp Sutton was the training facility for the 1st Tank Destroyer Group and served as a staging area for the 1942 Carolina Maneuvers. The camp closed in 1945 but left behind important infrastructure for Monroe’s development.

Since its founding, agriculture has been essential to the area’s economy. At the same time, it has benefited from its proximity to Charlotte through the 20th century. Union has a strong business and industrial economy. 

In another claim to fame, Union County was the birthplace of country music star Randy Travis.

Union County Population Growth

Suburban expansion is behind the rapid growth in Union County, especially in its eastern region. From 2000 to 2010, the Census Bureau ranked Union County the 16th fastest growing county in the country by the percentage of population increase. For the 2020 census, there were 238,267 residents, a 15.5% increase from 2010. By 2022, the county added another 10,000 residents, and grew 2.9% between 2022 and 2023. It was among the top five counties people moved to in the state.

That residential growth concentrates in western Union County. The overall population density is 376 persons per square mile. Suburban growth is expected to continue in the coming decade, increasing its density.

The average age of a resident has reached 39, and the county’s average age has been slowly increasing. Many residents are aged between 0 and 17 and 45 and 64. Of the people 25 years and older, 41% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. About 90% have graduated high school. The median household income in 2023 was $98,215, making it one of the highest-earning areas in the Charlotte metro.

Indian Trail had the most residents in 2022, a reported 39,997. The community is a fast-growing Charlotte metropolitan area town. Central Monroe was the next largest town, with 34,725. The third most populated area was part of Mint Hill (shared border), with 26,450 residents. However, Waxhaw’s population grew by 10% from 2020 to 2023. 

Union County Cities and Areas

Union County is a tale of two counties. While primarily agricultural, it still offers many metropolitan conveniences like a commuter airport, shopping malls, and access to Charlotte. Growing towns and villages sprinkled around the county deliver a small-town feel. 

Monroe is the county seat and the hub of local government, culture, and industry. A revitalized downtown and historic district drive business growth and visitor traffic. Its striking old buildings and architecture have served as the backdrop for film crews. See the historic Union County courthouse and Monroe’s Main Street in major motion pictures, such as the web series “Funny for the Life of Me” and the adaption of Judy Blume’s “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” People visit for its frequent events, like the farmer’s markets, cruise-ins, and movie series. Recreation centers include an outdoor water park and city golf course.

Indian Trail is the largest town by population in Union County. Family Circle Magazine named it a “Top 10 Best Place For Families,” “The Most Affordable Place in North Carolina,” and a “Great Place For Healthy Living.” Indian Trail is a planned and still-developing community centered around neighborhoods, substantial green spaces, quality education, and affordable living. The Sun Valley Entertainment District includes a movie theater, dining, and retail. Additionally, Indian Trail keeps a busy schedule of events with Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas Parades, and July Fourth Fireworks. It’s the closest town to Mecklenburg County.  

Mint Hill straddles Mecklenburg and Union Counties. The farming area evolved into a charming residential community, where homes have spacious lots and access to golf courses, swimming pools, and parks.

Mineral Springs is a more recently incorporated town located between Waxhaw and Monroe. While its history dates back to the 18th century, it remains mostly a rural community. Many residents maintain their farms and provide pasture land for horses. The Queen’s Cup, a nationally recognized steeplechase event, takes place in Mineral Springs on the last Saturday of every April. 

Unionville is another notable small town with around 6,000 residents. It’s just north of the county seat, Monroe.

Stallings acts as the gateway to Union County, being adjacent to the Charlotte metro and partially in Mecklenburg County. The town has parks with splash pads and playgrounds, golf courses, and special events like Christmas in the Park and Stallings Fest.

Waxhaw is just 20 minutes from south Charlotte and three miles from the South Carolina state line. As one of Union County’s oldest towns, the name comes from the Native American people that once inhabited the area. People are drawn to Waxhaw for its affordability and its high-quality schools, which rank at the top in Union County and among the best in the state. Its Waxhaw Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 17,000 people call Waxhaw home, but the town remains dedicated to maintaining its small-town charm through community events and programs.

Weddington is in the northeastern corner of Union County, about 15 miles southeast of Charlotte. It has around 10,000 residents, and it is primarily residential and suburban. A small percentage of the acres in Weddington is allocated for commercial zoning.

Other towns and unincorporated communities include Fairview, Matthews, Wingate, Marshville, and Hemby Bridge. Many communities date back to the late 1700s or early 1800s as mill or agricultural towns that grew by railroad station stops.

Union County Education

The Union County Public Schools is North Carolina’s sixth-largest public school system, serving over 41,000 students. It employs 5,000 people, making it one of the largest employers. Even better is the quality of education it provides. In 2023-2024, its state testing scores ranked it the second top-performing school district. The UCPS has a 93% graduation rate. 

Across its 53 schools, find specialized programs such as dual language, STEM, and specialized academies in career and technical education. Some specialized options available include:

• Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts
• Marvin Ridge High International Baccalaureate program
• Union County Early College
• Central Academy Of Technology and Arts
• Monroe Middle Schools Health Sciences Academy
• East Union Middle AgTech Academy

In total, Union County has 30 elementary, 10 middle, 12 high, and three special-purpose schools.

Union County also has 14 private schools for K-12 education. Top-ranked private schools include Thales Academy Waxhaw for K-7, Weddington Christian Academy, and Metrolina Christian Academy. About 57% of the private schools are religiously affiliated.

Colleges and universities

For higher education, one option is South Piedmont Community College. It enrolls around 10,000 students annually and offers 12 areas of study. These programs include associate’s degrees, transfer programs, and certificates.  

Wingate University is a small independent university that enrolls around 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. US News and World Report has ranked it a Top 20 Best Value University in the South. It has 35 undergraduate programs, ten pre-professional programs, and 11 graduate degrees, both masters and doctoral. Popular undergraduate majors are nursing, biology, psychology, sport management, human services, management, and criminal justice. Four doctoral degrees are in education, pharmacy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Union County Health Care

In Monroe, residents have the Atrium Health-Union, Novant Health Medical Plaza, and several medical offices and specialists to provide high-end medical care. 

Atrium Health-Union is a 157-bed facility that offers outpatient surgery, cancer treatment, long-term care, obstetric care, and specialty clinics. 

Just over the Union County border near Stallings and Indian Trail is the Novant Health Matthews Medical Center. This facility offers a wide range of health services such as maternity, cardiovascular, cancer care, surgery, intensive care, and an emergency department.

Charlotte’s highly ranked facilities are a 20-30 drive away for further specialized care and medical choices.

Union County Special Events

In Union County, find lots of outdoor recreation opportunities, festivals, and events to keep you busy all year. The towns here work hard to provide a small town-style sense of community. For example, Indian Trail hosts “Hits After Six,” a free concert series at Crossing Paths Park. 

Horse culture is prevalent here, with Mineral Springs hosting the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase, one of steeplechase horse racing’s major annual events. It is always held on the last Saturday of April. Drive around, and you’ll see plenty of horse farms and facilities providing boarding and training.

Marshville hosts the Boll Weevil Festival, an annual street carnival that happens in the fall.

A popular annual event is Warbirds over Monroe, hosted at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport. Historical and military planes take to the skies in one of the southeast’s largest aviation events. It typically occurs at the beginning of November and is a highlight of the year.  

Beach, Blues, and Barbecue is a May weekend event featuring the best North Carolina barbecue. The BBQ competition is fierce, but the festival is complemented by events such as a 5K run. Run, enjoy live music and fill up on delicious North Carolina-que.

Union County Local Attractions

Cultural Attractions

Several museums and monuments are scattered around Union County. For example, the Museum of the Alphabet traces the history of the world’s alphabet from cuneiform to tonal languages to Native American language syllabaries. Learn about all kinds of writing systems.

At the Museum of the Waxhaws, you can get a taste of 19th-century life. The museum has a pioneer homestead, garden, and exhibits. You can also see demonstrations of techniques used by farmers in the past. Waxhaw also offers walking or cycling tours through its historic downtown area.

Try the recently renovated Dowd Center Theater on South Main Street in historic downtown Monroe if you’re looking for cultural entertainment. It first opened in the 1940s. Today, the 560-seat theater will be a focal point for classic and art-house cinema, live shows, and community events. 

Recreation

The Extreme Ice Center is a popular indoor multipurpose winter sports facility in Indian Trail. Hit the ice for skating, hockey, curling, and ballet. Sign the family up for its various camps.

Families love Cane Creek Park for summertime swims. The a recreation space features a 300-acre lake with a lifeguarded beach. Besides a refreshing summer swim, the lake is open for fishing and boating. It has a forested area right on the lakefront with hiking any time of year.

Golfing enthusiasts will appreciate the Stonebridge Golf Club and its 18-hole championship golf course. It was designed by architect Richard B. Osborne, known for his naturalist style that incorporates the environment into his courses. It’s one of seven courses to play in Union County.

Agritourism

Agritourism is a big attractor in the Union County. Start with the vineyards, which have tours or tastings throughout the year. Hilton Vineyard, a family-run business in Mineral Springs, has received the Charlotte Observer’s People’s Choice award for best tasting wine. Treehouse Vineyards is another family-owned and operated vineyard on a former 200-year-old farm. 

For a whole family experience, visit the Aw Shucks Farms. They frequently host concerts on their outdoor stage. Plus, they host bonfires, a haunted trail, corn maze, and an animal barn. Another option is the Why Not An American Ark is a 125-acre farm combining a horse-riding school and a petting zoo. They also have a five-level cross-country course for all levels of riders. 

Union County Dining

Local restaurants embrace the bounty of the local farms. Many chefs draw from the area’s southern roots and heritage. Try the local breweries, vineyards, and farm-to-table restaurants. Here’s a taste of what you can find in Union County:

• Cork And Ale on Waxhaw’s Main Street serves craft beers and wines
• The Franklin Court Grill is a family-owned and operated restaurant in the historic downtown area that makes everything from scratch
• The Smoke Pit is a local favorite for BBQ, sides, and service
• The Trail House serves American comfort cuisine with outdoor seating
• Hilltop Fish Fair And Steakhouse is a more upscale place with fresh fish and steaks

Union County Shopping

When it comes to finding antiques and vintage items, UUnion County Farmer’s Market’snion County delivers. Monroe is known for its several large and popular antique markets, such as Ian Henderson’s Antique Market and the Sweet Union Flea Market. The latter has over 300 vendors in outdoor and indoor climate-controlled spaces.

Visit the Union County Farmer’s Market to get fresh seasonal produce and other locally made goods. It runs every Saturday in Monroe from April to December.

In Indian Trail, residents have many modern retail chains and boutique stores. The Sun Valley Entertainment District dining and shopping options are in walking distance of each other.

Living in Union County, NC

Set up your home in Union County and enjoy a place where you can still be in touch with nature yet have access to all of our modern conveniences. Enjoy the area’s abundant natural resources and access to some of the freshest produce. Your family has access to quality education opportunities and a well-rounded lifestyle. Overall, Union County is a great place to plant your roots.

Updated October 2024