The City of Conover began to develop in the mid 1800's as a "Y" intersection of the railroad traversing North Carolina. Although originally called Wye Town, legend says the name Canova was adopted, but transposed to Conover, over several years. The City of Conover was chartered in 1876 and incorporated in 1877.

Conover is located in the western piedmont area of the State and is part of the Hickory Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the fourth largest MSA in the State. Conover is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Charlotte; 60 miles west of Winston-Salem; and 80 miles east of Asheville, and is the geographic center of Catawba County. Interstate 40 traverses through the City along with other major roads including US 70, US 321, US 70A, and NC 16. As of 2001, the land area of the City is 9.44 square miles with a resident population of 6,604. Because of its large industrial base, the City's daytime population is approximately 24,000.