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CITY

Union

South Carolina · 8,077 residents (2025 est.) · 7.993 sq mi
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The short version

Union has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,914. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $109,400. With a median age of 45.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 54% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 45.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
16% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,079
−8%since 2000
from 8,793 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,011 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,100 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
45.5
+13%since 2000
from 40.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:8,077 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8K8K9K9K10K1990201020202024Union
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,914
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,110 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,582
+58%since 2000
from $16,175 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
22.8%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
28.9%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.500
+3%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade32.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance9.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Information8.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,400
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$832
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $349 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.8%
−12.3 ptssince 2000
from 62.1% in 2000
50.2% rent
Vacancy rate
11.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.2%
−11.8 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
47.9%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 37.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+49%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
18
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.1%(4,933)
Black41.9%(3,686)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(60)
Asian0.4%(33)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.5%(5,499)
2024
White, non-Hispanic50.7%(4,096)
Black43%(3,478)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(338)
Asian0.1%(6)
Other2%(161)
Diversity Score69.4%(5,610)
Diversity Score
69
+11%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.8%
+16.7 ptssince 2000
from 66.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.7 min
+60%since 2000
from 16.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
75.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 76.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.1%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
14.7%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 17.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
55.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2011
from 55.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.3%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.6%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
Female
53.6%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 54.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.8%
−33.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 20.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.5%
−75.1 ptssince 2013
from 84.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.0%
+25.9 ptssince 2017
from 56.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Union to nearby cities

UNION VS
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Income$51,964+63%
Home value$203,700+86%
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UNION VS
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UNION VS
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UNION VS
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Home value$256,600+135%
Population8,239+2%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Union, South Carolina?

Union, South Carolina has about 8,079 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Union, South Carolina?

The typical household in Union, South Carolina earns about $31,914 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union, South Carolina expensive?

In Union, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $109,400, and the typical rent is about $832 a month.

How educated are people in Union, South Carolina?

About 15.7% of adults age 25 and over in Union, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union, South Carolina?

About 28.9% of people in Union, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Union, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,795 residents, a change of about -18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →