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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Union County

Illinois · 17,808 residents · 413.412 sq mi
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The short version

Union County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $39,760. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $84,200. With a median age of 42.9, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 29% less than the Illinois median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,808
−3%since 2000
from 18,293 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
43 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 44 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.9
+6%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K17K18K18K18K1990201020202024Union County
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,760
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,994 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,512
+19%since 2000
from $16,450 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
20.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
21.1%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.437
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade10.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing3.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.9%
Construction2.1%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,200
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$488
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $341 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
39.8%
−35.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
23.9% rent
Vacancy rate
11.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
17.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 30.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.1
+9%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.2%(17,407)
Black0.8%(149)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(481)
Asian0.3%(48)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.1%(1,664)
2010
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(16,454)
Black0.8%(151)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(863)
Asian0.3%(52)
Other1.2%(208)
Diversity Score17%(3,027)
Diversity Score
17
+87%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
79.1%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.8 min
+37%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
18.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
32.6%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.4%
−35.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Union County

Alamosa County
Pop 16,688
Cleburne County
Pop 15,970
Franklin County
Pop 17,725
Otero County
Pop 17,683
Places similar to Union County
Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Pulaski County
Income$42,463+7%
Home value$85,100+1%
Population4,820−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Johnson County
Income$62,528+57%
Home value$160,500+91%
Population13,363−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Alexander County
Income$47,043+18%
Home value$59,800−29%
Population4,570−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$48,763+23%
Home value$137,300+63%
Population52,501+215%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, Illinois?

Union County, Illinois has about 17,808 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Union County, Illinois earns about $39,760 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, Illinois expensive?

In Union County, Illinois, the median home is worth about $84,200, and the typical rent is about $488 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, Illinois?

About 17.8% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, Illinois?

About 21.1% of people in Union County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 189 residents, a change of about 1 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 9504Census Tract 9501Census Tract 9505Census Tract 9502Census Tract 9503
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 62906ZIP 62920ZIP 62952ZIP 62926ZIP 62905ZIP 62998ZIP 62961
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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