Monroe, NC — Fast Facts
Quick reference guide to Monroe and Union County, North Carolina
Monroe is the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, located 25 miles southeast of Charlotte. Here's everything you need to know at a glance.
Geography & Location
- County
- Union County, North Carolina
- Distance from Charlotte
- Approximately 25 miles southeast via US-74
- Distance from Charlotte Douglas Airport
- Approximately 30 miles
- Region
- Piedmont region of North Carolina
- Elevation
- Approximately 540 feet above sea level
- Coordinates
- 34.9854° N, 80.5490° W
Population & Demographics
- City Population (est.)
- Approximately 35,000
- Union County Population (est.)
- Approximately 260,000
- Union County Growth
- One of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina
- Metro Area
- Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia MSA
Government & History
- Founded
- 1843
- Named After
- President James Monroe
- County Seat
- Yes — seat of Union County since 1843
- City Government
- Council-Manager form of government
- Notable Native
- President James K. Polk was born in Union County
Economy & Industry
- Major Employers
- Union County Public Schools, Atrium Health, Lowe's Companies (nearby), manufacturing
- Key Industries
- Healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, distribution
- Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) — nearest major airport
- Highways
- US-74, US-601, NC-200, Monroe Expressway (NC-540)
Climate & Weather
- Climate Type
- Humid subtropical (Cfa)
- Average Summer High
- Around 90°F (July–August)
- Average Winter Low
- Around 32°F (December–January)
- Annual Rainfall
- Approximately 44 inches
- Snow
- Occasional light snow in winter; rarely significant accumulation
- Best Time to Visit
- Spring (March–May) and Fall (September–November)
Education
- Public Schools
- Union County Public Schools — one of the largest districts in NC
- Higher Education
- South Piedmont Community College (Monroe campus)
- Nearby Universities
- University of North Carolina Charlotte (~30 miles), Wingate University (~15 miles)
Top Attractions
- Historic Downtown Monroe
- Walkable district with shops, restaurants, murals, and the 1886 Union County Courthouse
- Treehouse Vineyards
- Popular winery with tastings, live music, and outdoor events
- Monroe Science Center
- Hands-on science exhibits for families and children
- Bearskin Creek Greenway
- Paved trail for walking, jogging, and cycling
- Lake Twitty
- Fishing, kayaking, and outdoor recreation
- Dowd Center Theatre
- Performing arts venue hosting concerts, plays, and community events
- Warbirds Over Monroe
- Annual air show featuring vintage WWII aircraft (when scheduled)
Hotels in Monroe, NC
- Hampton Inn Monroe
- Full-service hotel with pool, fitness center, and free breakfast
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Monroe
- Modern hotel near US-74 with free breakfast
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Monroe
- Marriott-brand hotel with pool and meeting facilities
- Quality Inn & Suites Monroe
- Comfortable mid-range hotel near downtown
- Best Western Monroe
- Reliable chain hotel with outdoor pool and free breakfast
- Days Inn Monroe
- Budget-friendly lodging with easy highway access
- Super 8 Monroe
- Economy hotel with extended-stay options
- Red Roof Inn Monroe
- Value lodging with jetted suites available
- Rodeway Inn Monroe
- Budget option near US-74
Dining Highlights
- Total Restaurants Listed
- 65+ restaurants and eateries in the Visit Monroe dining directory
- Cuisine Types
- American, Southern, Mexican, Italian, Asian, seafood, BBQ, pizza, and more
- Local Favorites
- Trattoria on Main, Franklin Court Grille, Mayfair Seafood, and dozens more
- Downtown Dining
- Several restaurants within walking distance of the historic courthouse square
Useful Numbers & Links
- City of Monroe Website
- monroenc.gov
- Union County Website
- unioncountync.gov
- Emergency
- 911
- Non-Emergency Police
- Monroe Police Department
- Time Zone
- Eastern Time (ET) — UTC−5 (EST) / UTC−4 (EDT)
Explore Monroe, NC
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