COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Union County

North Carolina · 123,677 residents · 632.737 sq mi

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The short version

Union County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $50,638. Population has grown 47% since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $123,300. Households here earn about 29% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 34.0

US median: 35.2

Average education

21% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 32%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

123,677

+47%since 1990

from 84,211 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

195 / sq mi

+47%since 1990

from 133 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

34.0

+6%since 1990

from 32.0 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024251K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$50,638

+24%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $30,957 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$21,978

+67%since 1990

from $13,135 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

8.1%

−0.3 ptssince 1990

from 8.4% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$123,300

+32%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $70,700 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$587

+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $406 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

80.5%

+4.6 ptssince 1990

from 75.9% in 1990

19.5% rent

Afford Score

2.4

+7%since 1990

from 2.3 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

White, non-Hispanic83.2%(70,102)

Black15.9%(13,429)

Hispanic / Latino0.5%(462)

Asian0.2%(180)

Diversity Score36.2%(30,456)

2000

White, non-Hispanic79.7%(98,612)

Black12.4%(15,312)

Hispanic / Latino6.2%(7,637)

Asian0.6%(705)

Diversity Score41.2%(50,998)

Diversity Score

+14%since 1990

from 36 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

21.3%

+8.2 ptssince 1990

from 13.2% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

80.2%

+11.2 ptssince 1990

from 69.0% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

5.6%

+1.7 ptssince 1990

from 4.0% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

20.8 min

−10%since 1990

from 23.2 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS

Lancaster County

Income$78,869+56%

Home value$329,900+168%

Population114,296−57%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

UNION COUNTY VS

Anson County

Income$47,302−7%

Home value$148,600+21%

Population21,758−92%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

UNION COUNTY VS

Mecklenburg County

Income$87,005+72%

Home value$406,800+230%

Population1,233,383+361%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

UNION COUNTY VS

Stanly County

Income$60,704+20%

Home value$242,400+97%

Population68,830−74%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, North Carolina?

Union County, North Carolina has about 123,677 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Union County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Union County, North Carolina earns about $50,638 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, North Carolina expensive?

In Union County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $123,300, and the typical rent is about $587 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, North Carolina?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, North Carolina?

About 8.1% of people in Union County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 39,466 residents, a change of about 47 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 →