Conover is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. It's a cool place with a population of 8,421 people, according to the 2020 census. Conover is part of a larger area called the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area. It's also close to the big Charlotte Metropolitan Area.

Discover Conover's Past: A City's Journey

The city of Conover started growing in the mid-1800s. It was a special "Y" shaped spot where railroad tracks met. People first called it Wye Town because of this unique shape.

Later, a story says the name "Canova" was chosen. Over time, this name changed slightly to "Conover." The city officially became a town in 1876 and was fully set up in 1877.

Two important places in Conover are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Bolick Historic District and the George Huffman Farm. They help us remember the city's long history.

Where is Conover? Exploring its Location

Conover is right in the middle of Catawba County. It's next to other cities like Hickory to the west and Newton to the south. Claremont is to the east.

Getting to Conover is easy! A major highway, Interstate 40, goes right through the city. You can get off at four different exits to reach Conover. Other important roads like U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 321, and North Carolina Highway 16 also pass through. This makes Conover one of the easiest cities to visit in the Charlotte Metro area.

The city covers about 28.3 square kilometers (about 11 square miles). Only a tiny part of this area, about 0.08 square kilometers, is water.

Who Lives in Conover? A Look at the Population

Conover has grown a lot over the years. Here's how its population has changed:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	150	—
1890	337	124.7%
1900	413	22.6%
1910	421	1.9%
1920	681	61.8%
1930	973	42.9%
1940	1,195	22.8%
1950	1,164	−2.6%
1960	2,281	96.0%
1970	3,355	47.1%
1980	4,245	26.5%
1990	5,465	28.7%
2000	6,604	20.8%
2010	8,165	23.6%
2020	8,421	3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Conover's Diverse Community (2020)

In 2020, there were 8,421 people living in Conover. These people lived in 3,346 households, with 2,265 of them being families. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds.

Here's a quick look at the different groups in Conover:

Conover racial composition
Group	Percentage
White (not Hispanic)	67.43%
Black or African American (not Hispanic)	8.56%
Asian	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	14.02%
Other groups	4.59%

How Conover Helps its Citizens: City Services

The city of Conover provides many important services to its residents. These services help make the city a great place to live.

Public Works: Keeping the City Running

The Public Works Department takes care of many things. They manage water, build and fix streets, and handle stormwater. They also collect trash and recycling. This department keeps the city's parks and grounds looking nice.

Fire-Rescue: Staying Safe

The Conover Fire Department works hard to keep everyone safe. They put out fires and respond to medical emergencies. They also handle dangerous materials and perform special rescues. Firefighters teach the public about fire safety and inspect buildings. There are 18 full-time and 40 part-time/volunteer firefighters. They work from three fire stations.

Law Enforcement: Protecting the Community

The Conover Police Department has 27 full-time officers. They work to keep the city safe and enforce laws. They also have staff who help with code enforcement and volunteers who serve as police chaplains.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

If you have a medical emergency in Conover, the Catawba County EMS Agency (CCEMS) provides help. They are trained to respond quickly to medical calls.

Getting Around Conover: Transportation

Conover is located in the western part of North Carolina. It's about 43 miles northwest of Charlotte. It's also 63 miles west of Winston-Salem. If you travel east, it's 83 miles to Asheville.

As mentioned, Interstate 40 runs through the city. Other major roads include US 70, US 321, and NC 16. These roads make it easy to get to Conover from almost anywhere.

For public transportation, Conover is home to the main office for Greenway Bus Transportation.

Fun in Conover: Parks and Recreation

Conover has many places for fun and relaxation.

Rock Barn Country Club and Spa

This is a famous golf club with two large 18-hole courses. It also has a spa where people can relax. The Rock Barn used to host a professional golf tournament called the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.

City Parks and Greenways

Conover has nine neighborhood parks and one greenway trail. These spots offer great ways to enjoy the outdoors:

Downtown Park: This park is almost 2 acres. It has a gazebo, walking trails, and playground equipment.
Gateway Park: A long, narrow park that connects to downtown for walking and biking.
Hines Park: Located in a business area, it's often used by people working nearby. It also has a gazebo.
Hunsucker Park: Found in the largest neighborhood, this park has playground equipment.
Majestic Park: This park is about 4 acres and has recreation equipment.
Rowe Park: The smallest park, with a gazebo, picnic table, and a swing set.
Travis Park: This park has benches, a picnic table, and recreation equipment.
Washington/Southwest Park: This park is over 2 acres. It has a basketball court, a baseball field, and playground equipment.
Conover City Park: A large park (almost 7 acres) with a picnic area, playground, walking trails, a splash pad, and wetlands.
Lyle Creek Greenway: This is a 1.5-mile natural trail along Lyle Creek. It's perfect for relaxing and seeing wildlife. The trail goes through both wooded areas and open fields.

Learning in Conover: Schools

Students in Conover attend schools managed by two different school systems: Newton-Conover City Schools and Catawba County Schools.

Elementary Schools

Shuford Elementary School (Newton-Conover City Schools)
South Newton Elementary School (Newton-Conover City Schools)
North Newton Elementary School (Newton-Conover City Schools)
Conover School (Newton-Conover City Schools)
Lyle Creek Elementary School (Catawba County Schools)
St. Stephens Elementary School (Catawba County Schools)

Middle Schools

Newton-Conover Middle School (Newton-Conover City Schools)

Private Schools

Concordia Christian Day School (for students from Kindergarten to 8th grade)

Conover and NASCAR: A Racing Connection

Conover has a special link to NASCAR, the famous car racing organization. The transportation office for NASCAR is located here.

The city is also home to businesses owned by famous NASCAR figures. These include Dale Jarrett Inc. and Morgan Shepherd Racing Ventures.

Famous People from Conover

Many interesting people have connections to Conover:

Dale Jarrett – A NASCAR champion and winner of the Daytona 500 three times. He is in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Ned Jarrett – Another NASCAR champion and Dale's father. He is also in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Tommy Houston – A driver in NASCAR's Cup Series and Xfinity Series.
Glenn Jarrett – Also a NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series driver.
Jason Jarrett – Another NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series driver.
Morgan Shepherd – A NASCAR Cup Series driver and team owner.
Chris Washburn – A player in the NBA.
Robert Kearns – A bassist who has played in several well-known bands.
Mark K. Hilton – A former member of the North Carolina General Assembly (a state government group).
W. Stine Isenhower – A former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives (another state government group).

Images for kids

Commercial buildings on 1st Avenue (NC 16)
Flag of Conover, North Carolina
Seal of the City of Conover, North Carolina
Location of Conover, North Carolina

Conover, North Carolina facts for kids

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