What once were small rural communities to Charlotte's southeast are now development hot spots thanks to the open land available and improved roadways. Charlotte's busy Providence Road (N.C. Highway 16) runs right into Weddington, 15 miles from the city, just past a busy interchange of the Interstate 485 "outer loop." Almost daily, new homes of every size are popping up in this town of approximately 11 square miles. Indian Trail lies southeast of Matthews, off of U.S. 74, and just to the outside of the "outer loop." Its proximity to an I-485 interchange guarantees that more growth will soon be headed its way. Wingate is home to Wingate University and its 1,300 students. County population: 152,800. Median household income: $54,400. Per capita income: $23,100. Single-family homes average $310,000; condos and townhomes, $136,000.

Government Links:

• Union County
• Village of Lake Park
• City of Monroe
• Town of Indian Trail
• Town of Waxhaw
• Town of Wingate

Community Links:

• Monroe Enquirer-Journal
• Union Observer
• Union Regional Medical Center

• Union County Public Schools
• South Piedmont Community College
• Wingate University