Union County, North Carolina




Union County, North Carolina

Year Established	County Seat		Population (2000)
1842	Monroe		123,722

First Settled	First Settled By		Significance of County Name
1740s	From Anson and Meckenburg Counties		Created from Parts of Two Counties


Other Significant Towns:	Waxhaw	Marshville	Wingate	Unionville
	Stallings	New Salem	Fairview	Weddington
Click Here - To see how Union County evolved each decade - includes all the known towns and villages.

A History of Union County

Old Union County Courthouse - Monroe, North Carolina

The Union County Courthouse was built in 1886. A Confederate Monument was installed and dedicated on the grounds in 1910, but is missing from the above postcard, thus making this view before 1910. The courthouse was expanded in 1927, but closed in 1971 after the new courthouse was built. It was re-opened in 1986 after $1.4 million was spent on restoration. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and currently houses some county offices as well as The Union County Heritage Room.

Union was formed in 1842 from Anson and Mecklenburg counties. At the time the county was formed there was a dispute between local Whigs and Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson. The name Union was suggested and adopted as a compromise because the new county was created from parts of two others. It is in the south central section of the state and is bounded by the state of South Carolina and Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly, and Anson counties. The present land area is 637.37 square miles and the 2000 population was 123,772. Commissioners were named in the act to select a site, lay out a town by the name of Monroe, and erect a courthouse. Monroe is the county seat.

Established in 1842, Union County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of North Carolina. It provides a unique blend of rural and metropolitan lifestyles. While having vast areas of nature untouched by development, it also has areas flourishing in suburban and industrial growth. The primary factors contributing to Union's economic growth are agriculture, business and industry. Situated in the south central piedmont area of North Carolina the population is estimated at 155,000 with approximately 643 square miles of land.

Union is in close proximity to the city of Charlotte, bordering the Mecklenburg County line. Presently under construction is the I-485 beltway around Charlotte. In 1997, portions of it were opened to the Union County region providing convenient access to Charlotte. Currently Union has three areas of entry to this interstate with more opening in the future.

The municipalities in Union County offer a small town style with metropolitan conveniences such as shopping malls and a commuter airport. Union's incorporated towns and villages with functioning governments are Fairview, Hemby Bridge, Indian Trail, Lake Park, Marshville, Marvin, Mineral Springs, Monroe, Stallings, Unionville, Waxhaw, Weddington, Wesley Chapel, and Wingate.

Education is of utmost importance to Union County citizens. There are over thirty-two fully-accredited public schools serving more than twenty thousand students. Citizens also have ready access to nationally ranked colleges and universities.

Union County has the distinction of being the birthplace of two world-famous individuals. Country music sensation and movie star Randy Travis was born and raised in Union County. United States Senator Jesse Helms was born in Monroe and attended Wingate College (now Wingate University).

For recreation Union offers many diverse activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, swimming and hiking. Union's Cane Creek Park is home to one of three North Carolina trophy bass lakes. Golfers can choose from many beautiful public and private golf courses. Union also plays host to the Charlotte Steeplechase, a prestigious annual event. In addition to sporting activities, Union offers many other recreational pastimes. For history buffs there are several area museums. For antique hunters the town of Waxhaw has its famous antique shops. Throughout the county there are regularly held fairs, festivals and celebrations. Union is also conveniently located just three to four hours from the mountains or the seashore.