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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Union County

North Carolina · 238,267 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 $82,557. The county has grown rapidly, with population up 93% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $254,100. Households here earn about 46% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
238,267
+93%since 2000
from 123,677 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
377 / sq mi
+93%since 2000
from 195 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.9
+14%since 2000
from 34.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
68K118K168K218K268K1990201020202024Union County
2024251K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$82,557
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,638 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$37,667
+71%since 2000
from $21,978 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.0%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 38.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.3%
US avg: 10%
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$254,100
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $123,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,078
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $587 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 80.5% in 2000
18.6% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+26%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.7%(98,612)
Black12.4%(15,312)
Hispanic / Latino6.2%(7,637)
Asian0.6%(705)
Other0%
Diversity Score41.2%(50,998)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic67.6%(161,113)
Black11.1%(26,500)
Hispanic / Latino12.6%(30,110)
Asian4%(9,516)
Other2.6%(6,232)
Diversity Score61.5%(146,506)
Segregation Score30%(71,494)
Diversity Score
61
+49%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
30
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.0%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 21.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.6%
+9.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.4%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.9 min
+44%since 2000
from 20.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2011
from 69.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.4%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
9.5%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.7%
−77.2 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Union County

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Pop 287,155
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Pop 282,367
Harford County
Pop 266,446
Santa Cruz County
Pop 258,852
Places similar to Union County
Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Lancaster County
Income$78,869−4%
Home value$329,900+30%
Population114,296−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Anson County
Income$47,302−43%
Home value$148,600−42%
Population21,758−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Mecklenburg County
Income$87,005+5%
Home value$406,800+60%
Population1,233,383+361%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Stanly County
Income$60,704−26%
Home value$242,400−5%
Population68,830−74%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, North Carolina?

Union County, North Carolina has about 238,267 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Union County, North Carolina earns about $82,557 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 $254,100, and the typical rent is about $1,078 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, North Carolina?

About 36.0% 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 7.4% 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 154,056 residents, a change of about 183 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

48 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 210.13Census Tract 203.05Census Tract 203.08Census Tract 203.17Census Tract 201Census Tract 203.07Census Tract 210.04Census Tract 210.07Census Tract 209.02Census Tract 204.01Census Tract 207.01Census Tract 206.01Census Tract 210.17Census Tract 203.16Census Tract 203.14Census Tract 210.06Census Tract 203.10Census Tract 205.01Census Tract 208Census Tract 210.19
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 28173ZIP 28110ZIP 28079ZIP 28104ZIP 28112ZIP 28103ZIP 28174ZIP 28108
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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