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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Union County

Illinois · 17,244 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 $51,655. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $110,500. With a median age of 44.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% 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
17,244
−6%since 2000
from 18,293 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
42 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 44 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.9
+11%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
17K17K18K18K18K1990201020202024Union County
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,655
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,994 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,778
+69%since 2000
from $16,450 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.3%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 16.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Other services3.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Construction2.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.5%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$110,500
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$639
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $341 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
74.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 75.4% in 2000
25.3% rent
Afford Score
2.1
+10%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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.9%(15,331)
Black1.3%(226)
Hispanic / Latino5%(867)
Asian0.4%(67)
Other2.2%(377)
Diversity Score21.3%(3,677)
Segregation Score16.1%(2,772)
Diversity Score
21
+134%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
16
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.2%
+14.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.7 min
+55%since 2000
from 16.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 10.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
53.2%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 54.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.2%
−29.2 ptssince 2009
from 60.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.2%
−80.2 ptssince 2013
from 86.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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$42,463−18%
Home value$85,100−23%
Population4,820−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Johnson County
Income$62,528+21%
Home value$160,500+45%
Population13,363−20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Alexander County
Income$47,043−9%
Home value$59,800−46%
Population4,570−73%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Jackson County
Income$48,763−6%
Home value$137,300+24%
Population52,501+215%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, Illinois?

Union County, Illinois has about 17,244 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Union County, Illinois earns about $51,655 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 $110,500, and the typical rent is about $639 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, Illinois?

About 23.1% 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 18.4% of people in Union County, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 375 residents, a change of about -2 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

How we source and harmonize this data →