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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Union County

Iowa · 12,138 residents · 423.645 sq mi
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The short version

Union County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $50,375. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $109,600.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 40.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,138
−1%since 2000
from 12,309 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
29 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 29 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.9
+2%since 2000
from 40.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K12K12K13K13K1990201020202024Union County
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,375
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,905 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,212
+63%since 2000
from $16,690 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.8%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade23.2%
US avg: 10%
Information10.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction4.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,600
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$610
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $344 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
69.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.1% in 2000
30.3% rent
Afford Score
2.2
+18%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(12,044)
Black0.2%(28)
Hispanic / Latino1%(125)
Asian0.3%(31)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(458)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(11,223)
Black0.9%(114)
Hispanic / Latino3.3%(399)
Asian0.5%(65)
Other1.4%(174)
Diversity Score15%(1,823)
Segregation Score23.1%(2,798)
Diversity Score
15
+304%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
23
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.4%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.5%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 87.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.4 min
+25%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
62.0%
−7.1 ptssince 2011
from 69.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
32.1%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.6%
−83.1 ptssince 2013
from 89.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Union County

Washington County
Pop 11,583
Prowers County
Pop 11,884
Little River County
Pop 11,763
Towns County
Pop 13,285
Places similar to Union County
Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Ringgold County
Income$73,346+46%
Home value$156,200+43%
Population4,642−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Adams County
Income$71,875+43%
Home value$131,600+20%
Population3,617−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Clarke County
Income$71,641+42%
Home value$161,100+47%
Population9,574−19%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Adair County
Income$68,092+35%
Home value$160,400+46%
Population7,403−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, Iowa?

Union County, Iowa has about 12,138 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Union County, Iowa?

The typical household in Union County, Iowa earns about $50,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, Iowa expensive?

In Union County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $109,600, and the typical rent is about $610 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, Iowa?

About 22.4% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, Iowa?

About 11.9% of people in Union County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 612 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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4 census tracts
Census Tract 1904Census Tract 1902Census Tract 1901Census Tract 1903
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 50801ZIP 50830ZIP 50861ZIP 50254ZIP 50842ZIP 50831
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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