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About Conover, NC

About Conover, NC

The center of Catawba County

Location has long been the draw of Conver, an 8,000-resident-strong city in the heart of North Carolina’s Catawba County. Developed at a Y-shaped railroad junction, the area was originally called Wye Town. According to legend, the community was renamed Canova after the Italian sculptor, gradually giving way to “Conover.” Anchored by the crossroads of highways such as Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70, the Conver grants commuters easy access to both the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton and Charlotte metropolitan areas while offering a small downtown and economic opportunities of its own. Manufacturers such as Corning and CommScope remain large employers.

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Interstate 40 and Highway 70 are major travel roads that run right through Conover.
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Conover, NC is small town living at it's finest.
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Midcentury ranch-style homes abound in Conover

Conover’s median home price hovers around $295,000, below the national median. A small number of American Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares and Tudor Revival cottages lie just outside of downtown. Aside from these builds, split-levels, ranch-style and raised ranch-style homes comprise most of the city’s housing stock. New Traditional homes are entering Conover, filling in undeveloped lots close to downtown and on the city’s northeastern edges.

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A recently completed, single-family home in Conover is ready for move-in.
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Brick homes, well-manicured can be found on side streets just outside of Downtown Conover.
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A ranch home in Conover with several additions over the years.
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Shopping and dining in Conover and Newton

The intersection of 1st Avenue and 1st Street anchors Conover’s small downtown. Here, pedestrians will encounter a mix of local restaurants and retailers. For a slightly bigger downtown, shoppers might visit Newton 3 miles south. There, a collection of restaurants and boutiques encircle the Catawba County Museum of History. Shopping plazas are sprinkled around Conover, home to supermarkets and chain restaurants.

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Four Peas in a Pod is a local favorite in Conover.
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There's just a couple restaurants in Downtown Conover.
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1877 Pub & Grub are known for their steak bombs.
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Newton-Conover City Schools

The Newton-Conover City Schools district serves almost 3,000 students and receives an A-minus from Niche. Discover High was created in part through funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This A-rated magnet school requires students to log 150 community service hours and complete an original research project their senior year. Catawba Valley Community College lies only a few miles west of town off U.S. Route 70.

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Conover School is located just outside of Downtown Conover.
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Catawba Valley Community College is a public community college, near Conover. The college was established on April 3, 1958.
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Getting into Hickory and Charlotte

Conover’s core is sandwiched between Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70, two major east-west highways. Downtown Hickory is approximately 8 miles away, while Uptown Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas International Airport are a 45-mile drive south. The Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority, more commonly called Greenway Public Transportation, runs bus lines across the Hickory metropolitan area. Route 5 transports riders from the Conover Walmart and downtown Conover to Hickory’s transit center, while route 6 takes them back. Most residents are within a 4-mile drive of Catawba Valley Medical Center, just west of town.

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Interstate 40 is a major interstate that runs right through Conover.
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Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located just under an hour from Conover.
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Conover City Park and other green spaces

The City of Conover manages eight neighborhood parks and the Lyle Creek Greenway. Conover City Park’s walking trails encircle a splash pad, an open green space and an amphitheater commonly used for summer concerts. Smaller green spaces dot the city including Majestic Park, which offers a playground and picnic shelter. The Adrian L. Shuford Jr. YMCA invites visitors to exercise in a gym and fitness center, swim in an indoor pool and participate in adult and youth sports programs. The Rock Barn Country Club offers both a public and private golf course, along with a public spa. Members get to play on eight tennis courts, exercise in a fitness center and dine at on-site restaurants. A few miles west of town, the Hickory Motor Speedway hosts stock car races and has received the nickname the “World’s Most Famous Short Track,” with its steep banks making for fast, exciting races.

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There's a couple pickleball courts at the Conover City Park.
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Residents get exercise by walking the greenway at Conover City Park.
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Normfest celebrates Conover

Normfest honors the life and legacy of Norman B. Coley, the late president of Lee Industries, with free music, inflatables and fireworks. Festivalgoers are also typically invited to donate to local fundraisers, including the Norman B. Coley Foundation, which organizes the event around the close of August. Taking place in mid-October, Conover’s Boo-tiful Downtown Bash gives kids the chance to trick-or-treat and meet and greet characters from movies and television shows. Children and pets can also participate in costume contests.

Crime and climate in Conover

According to FBI crime statistics, violent crimes dropped 67% between 2022 and 2023, while property crimes decreased 56% over the same period. Conover experiences four distinct seasons each year, with hot, humid summers and cool winters.

Alexander Breuhan
Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Scott Brotherton
Photography Contributed By
Scott Brotherton
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Adam Lapallo

Conover by the Numbers

9,059
Population
51
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Conover, NC

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Shuford Elementary School
#1 Shuford Elementary School
A
Niche
6
GreatSchools
North Newton Elementary School
#2 North Newton Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Startown Elementary School
#3 Startown Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Claremont Elementary School
#4 Claremont Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Oxford Elementary School
#5 Oxford Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Webb A. Murray Elementary School
#6 Webb A. Murray Elementary School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Lyle Creek Elementary School
#7 Lyle Creek Elementary School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Saint Stephens Elementary School
#8 Saint Stephens Elementary School
B-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Conover Special Education
#9 Conover Special Education

Best Public Middle Schools

Maiden Middle School
#1 Maiden Middle School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Newton-Conover Middle School
#2 Newton-Conover Middle School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
River Bend Middle School
#3 River Bend Middle School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Harry M. Arndt Middle School
#4 Harry M. Arndt Middle School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Conover Special Education
#5 Conover Special Education

Best Public High Schools

Maiden High School
#1 Maiden High School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Saint Stephens High School
#2 Saint Stephens High School
B+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Bunker Hill High School
#3 Bunker Hill High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Newton-Conover High School
#4 Newton-Conover High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Conover Special Education
#5 Conover Special Education

Best Private Schools

Christian Family Academy
#1 Christian Family Academy
B-
Niche
Concordia Christian Day School
#2 Concordia Christian Day School
Tri-City Christian School
#3 Tri-City Christian School
Nc Boys Academy
#4 Nc Boys Academy

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Stephanie Hefner
(828) 624-4383
Stephanie is a highly accomplished Multi-Million Dollar Producer specializing in residential real estate, with expertise in both land and commercial properties. Licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina, she is a trusted professional with The Hefner Home Team, offering a wealth of experience to her clients across these states.

Whether guiding first-time homebuyers, assisting clients relocating to the area, or helping individuals find their dream luxury property, Stephanie is committed to delivering exceptional service. Her approach is centered on honesty, trustworthiness, and a client-first mentality. No deal is too big or too small, and Stephanie ensures that her clients’ satisfaction remains her top priority throughout every transaction.

Known for her strong communication, transparency, and personalized service, Stephanie builds lasting relationships with her clients. She is dedicated to making every real estate journey smooth and successful, and she is passionate about helping her clients achieve their dreams. Whether you're buying, selling, or exploring land and commercial options, Stephanie is here to provide expert guidance every step of the way. Feel free to reach out to her at 828.639.1822 or via email at Stephanie@TheHefnerHomeTeam.com to get started on your next real estate adventure.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.