Conover, North Carolina


Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,165 at the 2010 census, with an estimated population of 8,400 in 2018, making Conover the fastest growing city in the Hickory Metro Area. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area and Charlotte Metropolitan Area.

History

The City of Conover began to develop in the mid 1800s as a “Y” intersection of the railroad traversing North Carolina. Although originally called Wye Town, legend says the name Canova was adopted, but transposed to Conover, over several years. The City of Conover was chartered in 1876 and incorporated in 1877.
The Bolick Historic District and George Huffman Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Conover is located in the geographic center, as well as the population center, of Catawba County and is bordered by the City of Hickory to the west, the City of Newton to the south, and the City of Claremont to the east. Interstate 40 traverses Conover, with access from four major exits. U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 321, and North Carolina Highway 16 all pass through Conover, making Conover one of the most easily accessible cities in the Charlotte Metro Region.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Conover has a total area of, of which, or 0.27%, is water

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,165 people, 3,368 households, and 2,182 families residing in the city. The population density was 738.1 people per square mile. There were 3,654 housing units at an average density of 328.5 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 78.1% White, 9.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 5.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.2% of the population.
There were 3,654 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

City Services

Public Works

The Conover Public Works Department provides Water, Street Construction, Maintenance and Repair, Storm Water Management, Solid Waste and Recycling, Water Treatment, Grounds and Parks and Fleet Maintenance services to the residents of Conover.

Fire-Rescue

The Conover Fire Department provides Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials Mitigation, Technical Rescues, Public Education, and Fire Prevention and Inspection with 18 full-time and 40 part-time/volunteer firefighters operating out of three fire stations.

Law Enforcement

The Conover Police Department is staffed by 27 full-time officers, 1 Code Enforcement officer, 5 part-time employees, and 5 volunteer police chaplains.

Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services for the City of Conover are provided by CCEMS, the Catawba County EMS Agency.

Transportation

Conover is located in the western piedmont area of North Carolina. Conover is located northwest of Charlotte, west of Winston-Salem, and east of Asheville.
Interstate 40 traverses the city along with other major roads including US 70, US 321 and NC 16, making it easy to access the city from any direction.

Mass transit

Conover is home of the Rock Barn Country Club and Spa, a golf club with two Championship 18-hole courses and renowned spa that was home to the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn, a PGA Champions Tour Event.
Conover has nine Neighborhood Parks and one Greenway:
The City of Conover is served by Newton-Conover City Schools and Catawba County Schools

Elementary schools

Conover is home to the Transportation Office for NASCAR. Conover is also home to Dale Jarrett Inc., and Morgan Shepard Racing Ventures.