Wingate is a destination for higher education and interstate commutes
Wingate may be best known in Union County for Wingate University, but the area’s rural setting and interstate access have drawn more than just students and faculty to live among stretches of trees and farms. “I think people live farther out and have a more peaceful style of living because of the land and the lower HOA fees,” says Lloyd Hartman-Trimble, an experienced Realtor with Carolina Homes Connection who has helped clients settle in Wingate and surrounding areas. “The area is very desirable, and it’s an easy drive to Charlotte and more affordable than Monroe. The university is a big draw, too. It’s a beautiful campus with lots of green space and parks.”
The area was a farming village in the late 1700s before local churches established the Wingate School for primary and secondary education. Parents moved their families closer to the school, and a railroad brought more business to the area, though farming remained a major part of the economy. Wingate School later expanded into Wingate University, and new residents continue to move in to be close to campus while enjoying spacious lots and a lower cost of living.
Lower home costs compared to nearby Union County cities
Areas neighboring Wingate, like Indian Trail and Monroe, can feel packed with the new construction, which is ongoing and continues to fill neighborhoods. Wingate offers more space between neighbors and newly built homes for less money. “My clients looked at the same floor plan in Indian Trail, and it was $75,000 more, and the HOA fee was $600 a year,” says Hartman-Trimble. “I’ve sold other houses over the years in Wingate, and the bulk of them sold because they were cost-effective.” The least expensive properties are Bungalows and ranch-style homes built in the 1960s or earlier that sell for $155,000 to $300,000. Homes ranging from $300,000 to $605,000 often have Craftsman or New Traditional designs, while those in the $605,000 to $880,000 range have sprawling lots and farmhouse architecture. Some farms with around 20 acres have sold for almost $1.6 million. “There’s a lot of new construction moving that way because land is more available,” says Hartman-Trimble. “There are builders like MI and Century developing out there. There's infill construction and country homes. One house I sold was on an acre and a half of land with no HOA."
Public schools and Wingate University are close to home
Wingate is in the Union County Public Schools district, so young students go to Wingate Elementary School and then East Union Middle School. The new Forest Hills High School campus is set to open in the 2025 fall semester. The previous campus stood for over 60 years, and the new campus will be an upgrade with more classrooms, STEM labs and areas dedicated to the school’s career and technology education programs. All three public schools get B-minus ratings from Niche.
While public education is available, new residents usually attend Wingate University, a private liberal arts college that gets a C from Niche. Many students pursue degrees in science, particularly biology and psychology. Wingate Baptist Church was one of the congregations that founded Wingate University, and the church’s current location on Elm and Church Street still holds services.
Taking the Monroe Bypass or I-74 to Charlotte
The Monroe Bypass opened in 2018 as an express toll road to relieve some traffic off busy Interstate 74, and the addition has been successful. “I’d say the 74 bypass is causing people to call Wingate home,” says Hartman-Trimble. The 30-mile drive to Charlotte using the bypass can take an hour or more with the usual morning and evening traffic, though the drive is usually about 40 minutes with light traffic. Using I-74 also takes 30 miles, though the drive is closer to 50 minutes with light traffic and well over an hour with 5 o’clock traffic. “People are pretty close to work. There’s a Walmart distribution center in Pageland and a Harris Teeter distribution center in Indian Trail,” says Hartman-Trimble. “Both are 20 minutes from Wingate.” The nearest hospital and emergency room is Atrium Health Union in Monroe.
Small community parks and summer fun at Wingate University Campus Lake
Wingate Community Park is tucked behind Wingate Elementary School, with a playground and walking trail that circles the baseball fields. Jesse Helms Park, on Summerlin Dairy Road, has a farm-themed playground surrounded by six soccer fields and a picnic shelter. When residents want to cheer on Wingate athletes, they can buy a ticket to see a softball, baseball, lacrosse or basketball game.
Every June, the community gathers at Wingate University Campus Lake for the annual Wingate Summer Fun Festival. Admission is free, and visitors order from food trucks before resting on picnic blankets or in lawn chairs to enjoy the live entertainment. The night usually ends with a fireworks display over the lake.
Restaurants near campus, more options in Monroe
There are restaurants close to campus, mainly Tokyo Bistro and Java the Cup. El Palenque Mexican Restaurant opens for lunch and dinner, and customers can place to-go orders to pick up after work or class. Dollar General is next door to El Palenque, and there’s a Food Lion grocery store down the highway. “Wingate is 4 miles outside of up-and-coming Monroe, so it’s no effort to get dinner,” says Hartman-Trimble. “Monroe has pretty much everything, from small-town bars to big chain restaurants.” University students might work part-time at retail stores in Monroe, like Target, or popular downtown restaurants, like Main Street Bistro or East Frank Superette & Kitchen.
