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Union Grove is situated in northern Iredell County in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, on land once frequented by Indigenous peoples such as the Catawba and Cherokee who traversed the creeks and ridges for hunting and trade. Early European settlers—mostly of Scotch-Irish and German origin—began establishing farms and mills here in the late 1700s and early 1800s, drawn by the fertile soils and streams like Rocky Creek and Hunting Creek. When Iredell County was formed in 1788 from Rowan County, the area that would become Union Grove entered a period of gradual settlement and community formation.

By the mid-19th century, Union Grove's economy had taken root around agriculture and milling. Several grist and sawmills were established in the area—such as Campbell Mill on Rocky Creek and other mills along Hunting Creek—serving local farmers. A modest store and post office were in place by the 1850s, and the community's identity began to solidify when the Union Grove Post Office opened in 1857. The mills and stores helped sustain local families and created a micro-hub of trade within an otherwise rural countryside.

Infrastructure over time reshaped Union Grove's patterns of life. The township was formally recognized in 1865 after the Constitution of 1868 created county subdivisions, and road improvements gradually provided access to larger towns such as Statesville. Empty farmland slowly gave way to homes and communities served by one-room schoolhouses and churches. In the early 20th century, a local high school opened and remained in use until consolidation in 1966. The area's rural roads became paved and utilities arrived, enabling expanded residential development and easier commuting.

Community life in Union Grove is rooted in tradition, faith, and shared history. Schools, Methodist and Baptist churches, volunteer fire services and local social gatherings have long provided the glue that binds residents together. For decades the region held a well-known fiddlers' convention (from the 1920s to the 1970s) that drew visitors and celebrated local music and culture, illustrating the strong civic identity of the place. Newer subdivisions have begun to appear, yet the core remains a place where neighbors know one another and small-town rhythms still matter.

Today Union Grove offers a blend of serene rural landscapes and accessible living. Its location within commuting distance of Statesville and the I-77 corridor makes it appealing for families seeking space and a slower pace of life. Rolling farmland, wooded acreage, and modest residential neighborhoods give it a distinct sense of place, while the presence of modern utilities, internet access, and improved roads ensure comfort and connectivity. The community remains faithful to its heritage of farming, milling and neighborly tradition, even as it adapts to the changing dynamics of the Piedmont region.