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COUNTY

Union County

South Dakota · 17,402 residents (2025 est.) · 460.757 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#128Lowest poverty rateof 3,1446.2%
The short version

Union County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $89,636. Population has grown 36% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $301,100. Poverty is rare here, at 6.2% of residents. It ranks in the top 5% of US counties for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 94%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,081
+36%since 2000
from 12,584 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
37 / sq mi
+22%since 2009
from 30 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
41.5
+12%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,402 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K12K14K16K18K1990201020202024Union County
202417K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 55.1%(869)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 96.4%(1,097)
US avg: 6%
10 to 148%(1,374)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 196.4%(1,092)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 244.7%(807)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3412%(2,052)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4413.3%(2,265)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5411.6%(1,973)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6413%(2,224)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7412.2%(2,082)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 845.2%(889)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over2.1%(357)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$89,636
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,790 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$53,834
+121%since 2000
from $24,355 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
59.9%
+26.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.470
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.469 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction6%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$301,100
+94%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,069
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $505 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
73.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
26.9% rent
Vacancy rate
3.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.0%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.4
+54%since 2009
from 2.2 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
69
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(12,081)
Black0.3%(40)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(158)
Asian1.3%(167)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.4%(15,101)
Black0.9%(160)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(823)
Asian1.1%(190)
Other4.7%(807)
Diversity Score
27
+70%since 2009
from 16 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
14
−29%since 2020
from 20 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican4.5%(765)
Nicaraguan0.3%(53)
Cuban0%(2)
Asian origin
Filipino0.5%(81)
Asian Indian0.3%(51)
Laotian0.1%(20)
Korean0%(7)
Chinese0%(5)
Thai0%(4)
Pacific Islander origin
Marshallese0.1%(18)
Ancestry
German34.7%(5,920)
Irish14.2%(2,423)
Norwegian8.2%(1,406)
English8.2%(1,399)
American4.9%(829)
French4.5%(763)
Dutch4.3%(742)
Swedish4.2%(719)
Danish3.2%(549)
Czech2.2%(382)
Polish1.9%(316)
Scottish1.4%(237)
+ 17 more ancestry groups with data
Ukrainian1.2%(199)
Italian0.9%(160)
Scotch-Irish0.5%(90)
Welsh0.5%(80)
Swiss0.4%(62)
Russian0.2%(38)
British0.2%(26)
Armenian0.1%(24)
Belgian0.1%(22)
Croatian0.1%(16)
Arab0%(8)
Greek0%(6)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest Irish population · Largest Norwegian population · Largest English population · Largest American population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.0%
+10.7 ptssince 2000
from 26.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 87.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
13.3%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+42%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
7.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
3.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 3.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.4%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 69.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.8%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.1%
−17.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
48.4%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.6%
−42.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.8%
Unchangedsince 2012
from 10.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.1%
−89.0 ptssince 2013
from 94.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.5%
+12.1 ptssince 2017
from 77.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married27.5%(1,938)
Married63.3%(4,458)
Widowed2.5%(178)
Divorced6.7%(470)
Women 15+
Never married18.9%(1,263)
Married65.5%(4,385)
Widowed7.9%(530)
Divorced7.7%(519)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Pop 16,496
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Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$56,850−37%
Home value$232,300−23%
Population15,031−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Plymouth County
Income$83,251−7%
Home value$228,900−24%
Population25,697+48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Dixon County
Income$72,454−19%
Home value$155,900−48%
Population5,602−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Sioux County
Income$86,098−4%
Home value$250,100−17%
Population36,774+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, South Dakota?

Union County, South Dakota has about 17,081 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Union County, South Dakota?

The typical household in Union County, South Dakota earns about $89,636 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, South Dakota expensive?

In Union County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $301,100, and the typical rent is about $1,069 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, South Dakota?

About 37.0% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, South Dakota?

About 6.2% of people in Union County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,892 residents, a change of about 68 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 203.01Census Tract 203.02Census Tract 201Census Tract 202
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 57049ZIP 57025ZIP 57038ZIP 57001
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →