Have you always wanted to live in a peaceful town full of Southern hospitality? Then you’ll love living in Wingate, North Carolina. A laid-back town in the Charlotte metro area, Wingate is known for its rich history and for being home to the University of the same name.
Wingate’s history dates back to 1896, when a group of local Baptist churches decided to build a university on 10 acres of donated land. They chose the name Wingate after a former Wake Forest president named Washington Manly Wingate, and the North Carolina legislature formally incorporated it as a town in 1901.
Today, Wingate is a good place to live for growing families and students seeking a quiet college town with easy access to amenities. For those thinking about moving to Wingate, here is everything you need to know.
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Where Is Wingate?
The town of Wingate, NC, is in Union County, within the Charlotte metro area, about 20 miles north of the South Carolina border. It’s drained by tributaries of Richardson Creek, which include Rays Fork and Meadow Branch.
Residents living in Wingate NC have easy access to Charlotte via US Route 74 and the Monroe Expressway. Nearby communities include Marshville, Unionville, and Monroe.
It’s about 30 miles or a 42-minute drive from Wingate, NC, to Charlotte, NC.
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Wingate Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the Wingate NC population is 4,055. That’s a 45% increase in people living in Wingate NC compared to 2010. However, Wingate still has a rural, small-town ambiance, with a population density of 1,740 residents per square mile.
The town’s demographics are heavily influenced by the Wingate student population, as the University enrolls about 3,400 students. As a result, the Wingate population is very young and diverse. The median age is 21, and 68% of residents living in Wingate NC are under 30.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 45% white (non-Hispanic), 30% Hispanic or Latino, 20% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 3% two or more races.
Other Wingate Demographics
- The median household income is $72,188 per year, which is 10% higher than the rest of North Carolina
- 57% of people living in Wingate NC are female and 43% are male
- 79.3% of residents have a high school diploma, while 27.6% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 14.7%
As a small college town, living in Wingate NC is perfectly safe. The total crime rate is 1,488 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 36% lower than the national average and 40% lower than the North Carolina crime rate. The violent crime rate is 34% lower than the national average, while the property crime rate is 36% lower.
The Wingate Police Department controls crime in the community with the assistance of 6 sworn officers and four civilian employees.
Cost of Living in Wingate
The cost of living in Wingate NC is very affordable for all the town has to offer. One way to better understand how much it costs to live in a community is to reference the cost of living index. It compares the typical price of consumer goods to the rest of the country, represented by 100.
The COLI for the Charlotte metro area is 96.5, which indicates the cost of living in Wingate NC is 3.5% lower than the rest of the country. The Family Budget Calculator (which the Economic Policy Institute created) is another useful resource. It states that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids needs to earn $99,639 per year to afford the cost of living in Wingate NC.
Typical expenses of living in Wingate NC:
- Loaf of bread: $3.98
- A gallon of milk: $4.69
- Bunch of bananas: $0.72
- Hamburger: $5.55
- Doctor’s visit: $147.62
- A gallon of gas: $3.17
- Average Wingate monthly energy bill: $190.07 per month
Source: Payscale
Wingate real estate is quite affordable. The median price of homes for sale in Wingate, NC is $330,000, which is 23% lower than the median in the rest of the country. The median price per square foot of Wingate NC real estate is $213.
Renters moving to Wingate will find plenty of housing options as well. In Wingate, 67% of homes are owner-occupied, while 33% are rented out. You’ll find an interesting mix of spacious apartments and homes for rent in Wingate, NC. Rentcafe shows that apartments in Wingate NC start at $1,400 for a one bedroom and go up to $2,300 for four or more bedrooms.
Wingate Neighborhoods | Best Places to Live in Wingate
Wingate is a small community that only covers about 2.25 square miles, over 540 acres of which is occupied by the University. As a result, it doesn’t have many distinct neighborhoods.
No matter where you choose to settle down, living in Wingate NC offers an interesting range of housing styles, with everything from modern apartments to brick ranch homes. In general, the most desirable areas tend to be in the southeast, while the most affordable are in the center.
Wingate NC Weather & Climate
According to the Koppen Classification System, the area has a humid subtropical climate. Wingate, North Carolina, weather is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Temperatures usually fluctuate between 34°F and 90°F, although they can drop to 21°F in the winter and reach highs of 96°F in the summer. The best time to visit someone living in Wingate NC is from April to June or August to October.
Although rare, Wingate does get about 2 inches of snow every year. It also averages about 46 inches of rain, so pack a raincoat if you’re thinking about moving to Wingate.
Things to Do in Wingate
While it is a small town, residents will still find an interesting selection of things to do in Wingate. Students and families living in Wingate will find a few grocery stores, such as Food Lion and the Wingate Food Mart. Monroe Crossing in the nearby town of Monroe also has a wide variety of brand-name retailers. Outside of shopping, here are a few other fun things to do in Wingate, NC.
Wingate Community Center
The Wingate Community Center is a 2,500-square-foot public facility featuring a carpeted great room, a full kitchen, and multiple restaurants. Residents living in Wingate NC can rent it for community meetings, family gatherings, weddings, and more.
315 W Elm St, Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 233-4411
Batte Fine Arts Center
The Batte Fine Arts Center is a performing arts center located on the Wingate University campus, showcasing regular ballet performances and other live productions.
403 N Camden Rd, Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 233-8300
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Jesse Helms Park
Jesse Helms Park is a public park in the southwest part of town that features a soccer complex with six professional fields, playgrounds, walking trails, picnic shelters, and more.
1505 Summerlin Dairy Rd, Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 283-3885
Additional Wingate Attractions
Looking for more fun things to do while living in Wingate NC? The town of Wingate has a list of parks and other public facilities on its website.
Wingate Restaurants
You’ll also find a great selection of delicious restaurants near Wingate University and other parts of town. Here are some of the best places to grab a bite to eat.
Wingate Social House
Wingate Social House is a local watering hole popular among residents living in Wingate that features craft beer and cocktails, elevated bar food, indoor and outdoor games, live music and other entertainment options.
204 N Main St, Wingate, NC 28174
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El Palenque Mexican Restaurant
El Palenque is one of the best restaurants in Wingate, NC, if you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican food. It offers a wide selection of tacos, poblano peppers, and other classic dishes.
F, 3702 US-74 Units E &, 3702 US-74 Suit D, Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 327-6193
Tokyo Bistro Wingate
Tokyo Bistro is a casual Japanese chain with a Wingate location serving a great selection of hibachi and teriyaki dishes, sushi, small plates, and more.
3921 US-74, Wingate, NC 28174 (704) 233-0378
Jobs in Wingate
As a small college town, the primary driver of the economy is Wingate University of North Carolina. Most residents living in Wingate NC are employed in education, accommodation, food services, or healthcare professions. The University employs 1,178 people, including 185 full time full time and 168 part-time faculty members and hundreds of student workers and graduate assistants.
In a recent study by US News and World Report, Wingate University ranked 2nd out of all North Carolina universities for social mobility (Duke University took first place). The school also has an Economic Information Center that assists local businesses, nonprofits, and government entities with the curation and publication of Economic Data on Wingate.
Outside of education, the economy of Union County is primarily dominated by agriculture. The county ranks #1 in North Carolina for equine population and wheat and soybean production, and 46% of the county is designated farmland.
Major employers in Union County include Duke Foods, H&M Farm Machine Company, and Latham’s Nursery. According to Payscale, the average salary for an employee at Wingate University is $73,000 per year. From barista to janitor, you’ll find an interesting selection of Wingate jobs available. The University and local government also provide stable, high-paying jobs in Wingate, NC.
Wingate Schools
Living in Wingate NC offers a wide range of educational opportunities. Wingate is in the Union County Public School System, which is the sixth-largest in the state and enrolls about 41,000 students across 53 schools. Wingate Elementary is the only public school in the community. It serves grades K-5 and is notable for its AgTech program, which allows students to learn about innovative subjects such as soil and animal sciences or nutrition.
Middle school and high school students will attend schools within the UCPS District based on their residential zones. For instance, the Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe is a highly respected magnet school that ranks #26th in North Carolina and is open to applications from students living in Wingate NC.
For higher education, Wingate University has campuses in Wingate, Charlotte, and Hendersonville, North Carolina. The private liberal arts university enrolls over 3,600 students each semester and puts a strong focus on healthcare.
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Contact their academic advising department for more information on any Wingate program, financial aid, scholarships, community college admission transfer, and more. They will ask to see an official high school transcript to apply, but they are prohibited from discriminating based on age, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.
Residents living in Wingate NC are also welcome to stop by the Ethel K. Smith Library for books and other resources.
Wingate Statistics & Information
- Wingate County: Union
- Wingate area: 2.25 square miles
- Wingate NC zip code: 28174
- Wingate area code: 704
- Wingate elevation: 581 ft
- Wingate time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- The closest airport to Wingate: The Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is 37 miles away.
Map of Wingate, NC
Find more attractions, activities, and fun things to do while living in Wingate NC with this map.
Thinking About Making Wingate Your New Home?
Looking to relocate to this amazing college town? Trust the award-winning Wingate movers at Make a Move to make your relocation simple and stress-free. Call (704) 378-8588 today for a free quote.
