Union County Schools
 Once viewed as horse country for Southeast Charlotte residents, Union County has become one of the fastest-growing counties in the metro area of Charlotte, NC. In fact, between 2000 and 2004, Union County grew by a whopping 22 percent. Today, Union County’s population is estimated at more than 150,000.

The county has many thriving communities, including Monroe, the county seat, and an intriguing blend of past  It’s home to highly regarded Wingate University, a private institution, and the West Campus of South Piedmont Community College in a new location on Old Charlotte Highway.

If you’re a Charlotte-area newcomer looking to live in Union, chances are you’re most interested in the western end of the county, along the county line close to Mecklenburg’s I-485 outer belt. Growth has been very concentrated in this area due to the proximity of Charlotte. With the rapid growth has come more schools, and more shopping.

With about 8,000 residents, Weddington proper is primarily residential and wealthy. The “town center” is Weddington Corners shopping center. Charlotte’s Siskey Family YMCA – on Weddington Road in Matthews, less than a mile from Union County – includes a pool and water park, jogging track and other amenities. (As a side note, Matthews is located in both Mecklenburg and Union County.) Said to be the largest YMCA in the United States. New shopping centers have opened up near Cureton in Waxhaw and Wesley Chapel just on the edge of Indian Trail and Weddington.

Most of Marvin’s 1,300 residents moved here for the country atmosphere and homes with acreage. But there’s new construction too; look along Marvin-Weddington Road and Joe Kerr Road. From Marvin going south to Waxhaw and beyond is horse country, a great place to look for acreage if you want to keep and ride horses.

County seat Monroe, formed in 1844 and named for President James Monroe, is an intriguing blend of past and present, with its lovely old restored buildings downtown and its bustling shopping strip, airport and industrial parks. It’s the county’s largest city, with more than 29,000 people. For new homes, check out Bridgewater and Old Gate are new developments with homes from the $300s to $450,000.

Waxhaw takes its name from the Waxhaws, the Indian tribe that once inhabited the area. The town is known for its antiques, gift shops and galleries.
The area is known for its excellent schools.  Among Waxhaw’s new developments are Weddington Chase, with homes from $500,000 to $750,000; Quellin, with homes starting in the $400s; and The Reserve, with homes from the $300s.

Wesley Chapel, at N.C. 84 and Potter Road between Weddington and Monroe, incorporated in 1998 around a century-old community. With 3,200 residents, it has a historic Methodist church site, an elementary school and lots of rolling green countryside. Champion Forest features homes from $435,000 to $500,000, and homes at Lindenwood range from $250,000 to $400,000.

On N.C. 75 between Waxhaw and Monroe, Mineral Springs is known for the Queens Cup Steeplechase in April, with attendance averaging about 20,000.

Stallings abuts the Mecklenburg County line along the U.S. 74 corridor. A quiet bedroom community of 3,700, the town has been growing fast, attracting residents who like its small-town image but also the quick travel time, via the I-485 outerbelt.

Indian Trail, which began as an outpost along an Indian trading trail, is also growing fast. With 16,000 residents, Indian Trail is implementing its plan for a pedestrian-friendly town center with shops, restaurants and residential units. For new homes, check out Colton Ridge, with homes from $250,000 to the $300s.

Lake Park is a fine example of using design to help create a feeling of community. Here you’ll find townhomes and single-family homes, festivals, a shopping center and a private Christian school.

Hemby Bridge, a community that strives to retain some of its rural tradition, adjoins Mecklenburg east of U.S. 74